Daniel Gilham: Budding Enologist

I’ve decided not to drink alcohol while at British Studies mostly because I’m not sure I’ll be able to survive nearly two whole months of being sober after I return to the States (my birthday is in October). So, in the tedious hours, days, weeks, and months of not being drunk, I have decided to exercise my already cultured and sensitive palate by tasting various foreign carbonated beverages and remarking briefly upon their flavor. It's kind of like training for when I consume large quantities of cheap, potent alcohol in the not too distance future.



This subtle yet bold vintage is marked by its expressive aroma, cheerful effervescence and excellent integration. The aftertaste is rather delicate making for an interesting contrast between the projective, vegetal composition and the complex finish.


This dry, woody, vintage seems to be largely derivative of the Shiraz variety of grape. Characterized especially by its depth and excellent definition, this pungent nectar has a rather aggressive, lingering finish remincescent of cat pee.

This rather unusual specimen, clearly one of the sweeter “doux” varieties, has a distinctive but balanced bite, evoking a mixed body of both eucalyptus leaves and freshly cut grass. It is rather stalky, finishing cleanly with a vivid, defined zip.

This vintage was both flat and lopsided. For the most part, the barely perceptible hints of almond and vanilla were dominated by the coarse, bitter feel. Its one redeeming quality was the pleasant, earthy, mineral aftertaste.

This reticent specimen was distinguished by it’s the inclusion of some residual carbonic gas, adding a pleasant tickle to the peppery flavor. Had a rather aggressively saccharine conclusion after the initially elusive attack.

Meaty, voluptuous, expressive, and alcoholic. Characterized by its striking aroma of spices and tobacco, the initially pleasant vintage was rudely interrupted by an overpowering chemical taste. It did have a rather soft finish though, rescuing an otherwise unpalatable selection.

There you have it. Despite your inability to produce helpful topical suggestions for my sblagh, I have created yet another masterful entry in what is sure to become the single best study abroad lagh ever. Seriously though, do you have any questions?

I have one. When and why, Daniel, did we start calling rich chocolate confections decadent?? It doesn't make any sense!! What is decaying?? Why do we use a word that has a negative connotation to describe something as delicious as German Chocolate Cake?? In a similar vein, why do people call food sinful (the girls at my table couldn't stop talking about how sinful the food was even though I was pretty sure it just was sitting on their plates the whole time)??

I have no idea.

Speaking of food, I found a really good Thai restaurant in the area too. Green Curry fried rice is like, sinful and stuff.