Grape Eater

This past weekend was Zinfest in Lodi, CA. The papier- mache "Grape- Eater" was on display at the Vicarmont Vineyards table. Although it may have been the Zinfandel that wine connoisseurs visited the Vicarmont table, the papier mache dog gained much attention as well. I really didn't expect to see so much art this past weekend, but is was all around.

A friend of mine is a wine maker for Van Ruiten Vineyards. He describes his job as an artist. He explained to me that the wine maker is responsible for selection of the grapes to the pressing process to the final product of bottling wine. As an artist he has a vision of the end product, he visualizes the taste, smell, and color of the wine. He implements methods to achieve that specific end product. The  wine maker has knowledge of how to produce blueberry, smoky, and other notes. He finally says "when you drink wine, it is never just a generic Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a wine maker's rendition of their Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon. Every bottle of wine has its own artistic flair. Whether you went to Zinfest to catch a glance at the Vicarmont's papier- mache "Grape- Eater" or drink wine with friends we were all part of an artistic experience.


By
Nabieha Miqbel