While not actually an ancient Chinese curse as it is often attributed to, the phrase “May you live in interesting times,” has been thought to be a negative condition of humankind. Well, it can’t get any more interesting than now. Our lives have been irrevocably changed as we are self-isolating, social distancing and otherwise retreating to our homes for the duration of this quarantine period.

Eric Asimov wrote a poignant piece about overcoming the stigma of drinking alone during this difficult period. I’d like to second that as well as add the need to celebrate and find the beauty in taking pleasure from small things such as the aromas and flavors of food and wine as they tickle your nose and dance on your tongue.

Here in New York City, restaurants are closed, with the exception of take-out and delivery, forcing us to eat at home, hopefully in the company of family and loved ones, but cut off from the usual social environment on-premise dining provides. On the bright side, many of these enterprising establishments are now permitted to deliver wine with your food delivery, helping you to more easily recreate the experience at home.

Others are taking advantage of stocked up kitchens and slowed down schedules to find their inner Julia Child and experiment with new recipes and new ingredients. It is definitely a time to embrace Slow Food.

These are, no doubt, interesting times, but I am trying to find the positive side as I connect more deeply and fully with my partner, reach out to friends and appreciate that I am healthy and safe. In this regard, we are cooking dinner at home, taking the time to sit down together and restoring a sense of normalcy in this topsy-turvy world.

Last night’s meal was a simple home-made pizza, starting with a store-bought cauliflower and corn flour crust, to which I added marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms and bell peppers. But, we elevated our experience by adding a beautiful wine from Merry Edwards Winery.

Merry Edwards herself has lived in interesting times. She first attended UC Berkeley as a graduate student studying nutrition until she was introduced to the idea of studying wine by her new-found friend, Andy Quady. Soon after, she switched her major, graduating with her master’s degree in 1973. But, despite her stellar credentials, she was repeatedly met with gender discrimination as she looked for roles as a winemaker. Thankfully, she was encouraged to persist, securing the position of winemaker at Mount Eden Vineyards and earning a reputation as an outstanding winemaker.

Among her varied accomplishments, Merry was instrumental in getting the industry to stop using lead capsules and propagating UCD clone 37 (also known as the “Merry Edwards selection”). Her struggles also ultimately led to changes at UC Davis and other institutions and opened up the world of winemaking to women.

Falling in love with Sonoma County, Merry relocated in the 1970s and conducted significant clonal research on Pinot Noir, which dramtically changed the way the industry thought about grapes. She eventually founded Merry Edwards Winery in 1997, planting the Meredith Estate vineyard the following year.

Throughout her lengthy career, Merry has continued to be a pioneer and a world-renowned winemaker. Times are interesting for sure, but now is the perfect time to be drinking Merry’s wines.

TASTING NOTES

Merry Edwards Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Russian River Valley (CA), USA, $36.00
Green, herbal, grassy notes greet the nose. On the palate, the wine is dry, with rich, ripe melon, pink grapefruit and slight pith, with medium+ acidity, full body and long length.

Merry Edwards Winery Pinot Noir 2017, Sonoma Coast (CA), USA, $48.00
On the nose, the wine displays aromas of cherries, cocoa and a hint of herbs, which are joined by bright, sour cherry and a leafy note on the dry palate. High acidity, with medium body and long length.

Merry Edwards Winery Meredith Estate Pinot Noir 2017, Russian River Valley (CA), USA, $68.00
This complex and concentrated wine offers up beautiful aromas and flavors of spice, earth, wet leaves, cherry and a hint of tomato. It has high acidity, with medium body, light tannins and very long length.