So maybe the years above don’t have too much in common as you stare at them right now. But for me, they all hold some key moments and are important years in my own life.
1982
The 80's were an awesome decade. There was lots of good music in the 80’s too. Think of way back in the day when the FM radio (or your tape player) would have the sounds of Madonna, Paula Abdul, Michael Jackson, Meatloaf, REO Speedwagon, ABBA and Aerosmith. Seeing as how 1982 was the year I came into this world, I don’t necessarily remember all 365 days, but I am absolutely thankful for it. I do hope that my family celebrated with a few bottles of sparkling vino. My mom always said that on May 1st, 1982 it was a perfect Spring day with lots of sunshine, blue skies and the perfect temperature. I came into the world with some cool double digit references. I was born at 12 minutes to 12 midnight (so almost on May 2nd), in room 33 at the Waterloo Hospital and I weighed in at 6 pounds 6 inches. I was born first of 4 girls and come from a fairly large Italian family where pasta, meatballs, homemade sausages and wine were staples at all gatherings. YAH to the 80's!!! I love re-living them everytime I watch Paula on American Idol.
1998
16 years later, 1998 was a truly memorable year. I mean who doesn’t remember being 16 and going to high school. I definitely don’t wish I 
was 16 again, but I do remember somewhat enjoying it. I remember doing a lot of work at school, working my little buns off at part time jobs, and driving for the first time (not to mention getting my first car – which was a Dodge Omni, later replaced by a black mustang). 1998 was also the year I began in the wine industry. I started my job at Vineland Estates Winery in 1998 – a great vintage for Ontario Wine. I had a bottle of 1998 Meritage from Vineland Estates Winery that I originally opened on my 25th birthday, but due to my poor job at cellaring it, it had gone bad. The picture to your left is signed by Allan Schmidt from Vineland and it says "Cheers, Ange from your Friends at Vineland. The 90's was also another great decade for music - think of Third Eye Blind, Oasis, Alana Myles, Bon Jovi, Phil Collins and dare I say it, Celine Dion.
2009
I am gonig to make 2009 a rocking "vintage year". I am not sure really why, it is just more of a gut feel type of thing. I turned the big 2-7 not too long ago and cracked open the second bottle of the 1998 Meritage from Vineland Estates- alongside a few bottles of sparkling wine to celebrate another year. The Meritage had aged fairly well and tasted lovely. Thanks to my Friends at Vineland for giving me even more great memories! The one thing I really like about Ontario red wines is that they don't taste anything like a California red wine. They have their own unique taste profile that allows them to elegantly age and taste more medium bodied in their older age. . The Meritage was a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and everyone that tried it appreciated it's age and enjoyed the taste.
With the wine aging so well it really got me thinking about how we all age and grow into who we really are as we get older. We get wiser and potentially more elegant and flavourful...maybe wine really does make us wiser? When we are young we are vibrant, energetic and willing to do what it takes to get where we want to go, even though we don't really know where that is. And as we age, we begin to fall into our rightful path and grow into our age and into wisdom. We come into our skins and just like a good wine, we hit a stride at an age where we feel is our prime. For an Ontario red wine, 10-12 years seems like a good place to start. For me I feel as though I am just entering into my prime. I am finally starting to figure myself out (what I want and what I need) but I am also figuring out who I am. Up until this point, I have felt that I have been trying to catch up with life. Trying to get'er done and keep up to pace with the rest of the world. I am realizing now that I don't have to keep up with anyone and that my life is really in my own hands to create and navigate. Similar to a 1998 Meritage, I have some good core strengths, including a great vintage, happy cellaring conditions and a healthy outlook - at least that is what my winemaker tells me are important in longevity :)
With the wine aging so well it really got me thinking about how we all age and grow into who we really are as we get older. We get wiser and potentially more elegant and flavourful...maybe wine really does make us wiser? When we are young we are vibrant, energetic and willing to do what it takes to get where we want to go, even though we don't really know where that is. And as we age, we begin to fall into our rightful path and grow into our age and into wisdom. We come into our skins and just like a good wine, we hit a stride at an age where we feel is our prime. For an Ontario red wine, 10-12 years seems like a good place to start. For me I feel as though I am just entering into my prime. I am finally starting to figure myself out (what I want and what I need) but I am also figuring out who I am. Up until this point, I have felt that I have been trying to catch up with life. Trying to get'er done and keep up to pace with the rest of the world. I am realizing now that I don't have to keep up with anyone and that my life is really in my own hands to create and navigate. Similar to a 1998 Meritage, I have some good core strengths, including a great vintage, happy cellaring conditions and a healthy outlook - at least that is what my winemaker tells me are important in longevity :)
So there you have it. A little bit of an inside look at my memorable vintages. I am sure there will be many more bottles of wine to be drank and memories to be made over the next 60 years and I am very much looking forward to what comes next (especially the good wine and wisdom part)!
Cheers,
Ange
Ange
