Wine blog

all images, c. kevin sprouls

‘Tis Autumn, and that means that, in the old country, trucks are rolling into the towns, burgs and cities carrying great barrels of Vino Rosso to the trade. I remember well my student days in Rome attending Temple Abroad (the University), in the Fall of ’76!

The school is much the same today as it was then, as I can attest to from my visit in 2007. October is a wonderful time of year to visit Rome, I can tell you.

Now, the Romans enjoy cool, white wines in Spring/Summer, and red wine in Fall and Winter, generally speaking.

When I was a student, one could go down to almost any restaurant with an empty litro bottle and get it filled for little more than a dollar! The “house” wine would be dispensed from a large barrel, one of those that were trucked in, as afore-mentioned. I’m told this traditional means of buying vino is gradually receding into a storied past –more’s the pity!

So, here’s to a celebration of Reds. Images are from a campaign I was commissioned for last summer by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board: a curious name for an agency tasked with promoting wine! These were used in newspaper ads and in the PLCB shops. Cabernet Sauvignon is captured above. Below, the Merlot…

Finally, a seductive Shiraz accompanied by a rather creepy-looking shady character. Like your uncle having an illicit affair. Wow, scary!

After all, though, it is coming up on Halloween…