The Astrology Wine Tasting Calendar
by Ralph and Lahni DeAmicis
Review by Karin Hoffmann, 25.01.2024
Did you know that wines taste differently on different days? I suppose we all know the experience of drinking a lovely wine on holiday, and taking it home, its delicious flavors seem to have transformed into … well, something else. But when Ralph De Amicis sent me the Astrology Wine Tasting Calendar, explaining that the wine-tasting experience changes with every Moon sign, I was hooked (enjoying a good glass myself now and again).
Ralph and Lahni De Amicis are both astrologers and professional wine tour guides. They advise wineries in Napa Valley and Sonoma on how to organize their wine tastings to get the best experiences for their customers (well, and sales, of course). So, they know their stuff.
Even though wine sellers are the primary target audience of the Calendar, it is also an excellent asset for the lay wine enthusiast:
If you are a wine enthusiast, it can help you gain a great deal of insight and enjoyment from the wine.
Following the actual "Wine Tasting Calendar" including "a Month at a Glance" and "a Week at a Glance Day planner," the three chapters under the heading "Wine Tasting with the Stars" are a treasure trove of information on how the Moon position influences how a wine behaves and tastes. There is also a chapter detailing which grapes are associated with which planets. For example, For example, the Sun corresponds to Chardonnay, Venus accords with Riesling, Jupiter with Merlot, and Saturn with Cabernet Sauvignon. Why? You will find the answer here. An extensive chapter explains the zodiac signs in their yearly cycle and their different qualities.
If you are impatient and want to get started before diving into the deep end, the "Moon Sign Quick Reference Pages" right after the introduction give you a concise overview of each Moon sign and the wine-tasting experience you may expect. For example,
- "Aries - Abundant Fruit: The wines open quickly with strong fruit on the nose, but they may lack staying power. This is an impatient Moon so don’t make guests wait a long time between wines. This is one of the days when you can use one glass for the entire tasting, because there is a tendency towards a short attention span. Red wines shine on the Aries Moons, especially the mid-range reds like Zinfandel, Barbera and Malbec."
- "Taurus - Grounded Root: The wines open very slowly, and the experience is on the palate. Lead the guests through the swirling and sipping. Food pairings with savory flavors enhance the wine’s earthy flavors. The guests' physical comfort is very important. Play pleasant music in the tasting room, no hard rock! Taurus wines tend to be voluptuous with a strong bouquet."
- "Gemini - Spring Flower: The wines open quickly emphasizing the floral notes and the alcohol. It shows off white wines well although high-alcohol red wines need to handled carefully with large glasses. Playful conversation and flirting thrive during this Moon. Be very aware of any odd scents or distractions in the tasting room, and like Aries, don’t make guests wait a long time between wines. Pinot Grigio is an example of a Gemini wine."
- "Cancer - Nurturing Leaf: The wines open slowly and benefit from more swirling and water alongside the wine. Creating an emotionally comfortable and accepting experience is the key. Food pairings should include some cheese. Stories related to the wine-making family will help them connect. Highly tannic wines suffer while sweeter wines like Moscato shine."
And this is just a taste of it!
The final two chapters deal with the actual wine-tasting itself:
"Ralphʹs ABC for Tasting Wine" informs you what kind of glass to use, how to hold it, examine the contents, fragrance, and color, how and why to swirl, how to sip and slurp - and why. You get the gist.
"Our Best Tasting Room Tips" is all about the "wine tourist", that is you:
What will the tasting room host expect from you? They’ll expect you to enjoy! They do not expect you to be a wine expert, that’s their job. As a wine tourist, what are you an expert about? The wines you like!
Where to order:
amicistours.com
