A remarkable thing happens to me when I let myself stretch a little, when I take a little risk: the gifts come pouring in. These take many forms: a single blunt compliment, or the simple suggestion of a smile from someone wholly new. Or it might be a new request to work my craft, or to become part of a new enterprise. It might simply be a thing that in itself is just a thing, but is also something more, imbued with intent, an artifact of connecting, of human experience.
A new gift arrived today. This time it took the form of a bottle of Greek wine, an Aivalis Agiorgitiko, sent by someone I didn’t even know just a few months ago. But I’ve been stretching a little recently, reaching out with curiosity and a huge appetite to a community of wine and food loving people, trying to learn more. This is how I met Markus Stolz, a German who lives in Athens with his Greek wife and four kids, and who’s trying to elevate the stature of Greek wine abroad. I’d recently edited a piece for Palate Press that mentioned Agiorgitiko, and Markus discovered that although I’d had to fact-check the name, I’d never tried the wine. This was unacceptable, evidently—and bang, a bottle arrived by post two weeks later.
Yes, it was requited. In return, Markus got a quart of maple syrup from a sugarbush a mile from my house. He’s thrilled, and his kids are more so. But reciprocity is not the point. A gift like this tells me that I must be doing something right, that I’m taking the right kind of chances. Because now I’ve found someone on the other side, shouting back through the amber fog—someone I hope will be there for a long, long time.
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I’d like to take credit for this interwebs connections. I am a matchmaker working with a series of tubes.
Really – send me some maple and I’ll send you some Riesling. It’s a trading post, this maker’s table!
Clearly, I’m going to have to work out some kind of deal with that neighbor who makes the syrup.
Lovely sentiments. I look forward to reading more about this wine.
Meg, as always I enjoyed reading your post. Beautiful words and beautiful sentiments.
This liquid trade of yours is a very good idea – for all parties!
I’ve been thinking that I need to branch out as well when it comes to discovering new wines. You are inspiring me.
Meg, as always I enjoyed reading your post. Beautiful words and beautiful sentiments.
This liquid trade of yours is a very good idea – for all parties!
I’ve been thinking that I need to branch out as well when it comes to discovering new wines. You are inspiring me.
Meg, as always I enjoyed reading your post. Beautiful words and beautiful sentiments.
This liquid trade of yours is a very good idea – for all parties!
I’ve been thinking that I need to branch out as well when it comes to discovering new wines. You are inspiring me.
Thanks, Jen and Viviane. I’m glad to learn that you both follow Markus, too (@elloinos). I’ll be sure to post more here once that wine’s been tried.
I’ve never had wine from Greece! This realization has brought me shame. Please do post and let us know how it is! What a lovely trade 😉
I’ve realized that in order to get through the A-Z Challenge I may need to drink more Greek wine. Would like to know more.
Also, the syrup sounds lovely. One of my fondest childhood memories is tapping a tree and making syrup in pre-school!
Let’s see… Albariño, Barolo, Coenobium, Dolcetto… For X you’d have to try Xinomavro. This could be fun.