Wine the Magi Brought

A range of reds from Ben McCartney's Wine Tasting Album
As the Season of Epiphany comes to a close, what a comfort to think that the magi brought not just gold, frankincense and myrrh but also wine.

And how fitting to encounter ~ courtesty of my friend Eileen ~ these words from Rumi: "in that moment, you will know."

Birdcatcher, the birds you want are thirsty,
so you open the wine vat and let the fragrance draw us.
This is the wine the magi brought as a gift,
and the wine musk that led them.

There are certain night-wanderers
that you especially want. Not the drunkards,
and not the ones who just carry cups to others.

This is how it is to come near you.
A wave of light builds in the black pupil
of the eye. The old become young.

The opening lines of the Qur'an open still more.
Inside every human chest is a hand, but it has nothing
to write with. Love moves further in where
language turns to fresh cream on the tongue.

Every accident, and the essence of every being,
is a bud, a blanket
tucked into a cradle, a closed mouth.

All these buds will blossom.
In that moment you will know what your grief was,
and how the seed you planted has been miraculously growing.

I saw grief drinking a cup of sorrow
and called out,
It tastes sweet, does it not?

You have caught me, grief answered,
and you have ruined my business.

How can I sell sorrow,
when you know it's a blessing?

~ Rumi ~



"An unoaked French Chardonnay
from the Louis Jadot Macon Villages.
It smelled grassy and citrusy
and tasted the same.
I have problems describing the
gentler wines, but this one
finished warm and wine-y."
~ Ben McCartney ~