Has anyone made their own wine? I had the opportunity to try some Portuguese wine made by a family in Tewksbury last weekend and it was fabu. And that’s not a word I use. It was late morning Sunday, too early to tipple, but for the sake of the story (see Sun food page today) I felt it my duty to imbibe. After one sip of this light garnet juice, my blood started pumping, my heart fluttered, and I’m sure my cheeks were flush. A hot flash? Much better. This was the best friggin’ wine I’ve had in 37 years — save that stretch in grammar school when I was off the sauce. They say wine is good for you, but I’ve never felt it, until now. There were no cloying sulfites to fight with, or palate-bruising attacks to the system. It was like coffee in a way, pure wake-up juice. This must be why wine is celebrated like water in the Bible.
Only rub? John Silva, the man who made it, reserves 250 gallons for family and friends. Come on John, share the wealth. You should sell some to Friends or Cavaleiros, the Portuguese restaurants in Lowell. The refreshing flavor pairs so well with cheese, bread, steak on stone ... you name it. If I had a yard and could grow grapes I would. It didn’t look that hard.