Pause for a moment and recall your family traditions. Now don’t be surprised if nothing come to mind and does this mean you don’t have any traditions? Of course not, but in our fast–paced lifestyles, it’s not something we think about.
Family traditions are habits that are passed from generation to generation. I am 3rd generation Italian-American who grew up knowing my immigrant grandfather and his traditions of the “old country”. Unfortunately, our heritage becomes more distant with each generation and it’s the elders’ responsibility to “pass the torch” to the next generation.
I’m very lucky to recently become a grandfather and witness the birth of a new generation. It’s a milestone in the “circle of life” but how do so many years pass and why does time move faster? Isn’t that what our grandparents said but we just didn’t understand? Enough said – Grandpa has a new family tradition and you guessed it, a wine tradition!
Wine is a staple at our family meals so I’m gifting wines to newborns! Too young to drink you might say? But not too young to have a stash of wine whose vintage (year) matches their birth year! My grandchildren will have amazing wine to drink at their 18 (or 21) birthday, college graduation, engagement or whatever celebration they choose.
However, this plan is complicated for several reasons. First, a wine to age for 20 years or more will be expensive, no less than $40. Second, the wine is not immediately available in the birth year. Vintage is the year of grape harvest and good wines are not released for several years (i.e. Brunello is 5 years after harvest). But the most difficult challenge is to store wine for 20+ years so that is does not deteriorate.
Despite the obstacles, I’m ready for the challenge and anxious to start a new family tradition for my grandchildren. Let me know if you’re interested to know the fruits of my search to find a suitable wine.
Mikaela Catherine July 23, 2017
Harvest Dinner and Wine Pairing is Wednesday, September 6 at Mayfair Farms featuring NJ farm fresh cuisine with Old World wines. $65/person includes dinner, wine, gratuity and tax. Details and menu to follow.
Cheers, Bob the WineGuy
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Bob the WineGuy 
Bob congratulations on becoming grand parents!
How do we sign up for the dinner?
Regards,
Mike Giordano
Mike Giordano
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Mike, No worry – I will post the details for signup when they become available.
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Hi Bob, no new births in our household, but congrats to you and all the family, Dick
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Hi Dick, thanks – it’s an exciting event as you well know.
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I love the idea — looking forward to join you someday
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i think you would be better off to start a wine club (like a christmas club where you put money in so that you can buy presents in the future) rather than to trust the parents (any parents) to properly store the wine for 21 years. And what 21 year old has any type of wine taste or wine knowledge? Probably better off buying beer!!!
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Gordon, that might be practical but not very sentimental. And who says the special occasion can’t be any birthday before 21!
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Congrats! I didn’t know … Who was pregnant?
Sent from my iPhone
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Jim, the proud parents are Rob and Anne.
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Baby is precious! Our tradition with my grandfather was that when we were 12 years old we could have a little shot of wine in a jelly glass, of course, at a holiday or a family dinner. Why 12? Because my brother and my cousin asked to taste wine when they were both 12, and grandpa said, ” sure since you are both 12.” So I followed two years later and did not forget, and so the tradition began.
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Donna, that’s very similar to my Grandpa who allowed us to drink wine and water at family dinners. Coincidentally, it was probably about the age of 12.
Do you think that’s why European countries don’t have the alcohol addiction problems like USA?
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