It’s Okay To Drink Wine ‘Cause It Don’t Have Any Feelings

By Dan Powell

The wine sat untouched, wondering why nobody was drinking her yet. It’s true she was in an old glass, 18th Century or so judging by the air-twist drawn in her stem, but that should have only added to her allure. Her vintage had a proven track record of holding well over time, she had been subject to rigorous production methods at every stage from grape selection to barrel-aging, and expert consensus as to her quality was really without compare. She scanned the conversations smattering the air around her for some clue as to why she would be left here unconsumed.

‘Cost fifteen hundred dollars and won’t even mature until at least 2012,’ one voice said.

‘Yes, but think what it will be worth then,’ another added.

All eyes were on the new bottle, a Petrus Pomerel 1998, stowed in pride of place in the expansive cellar. She had heard her owner talk of this wine before. Its grapes were harvested early and left to mature, producing a rich purple taste suggestive of berries, vanilla, mocha and oak.

She couldn’t believe her owner would muddy the day of her uncorking by announcing her replacement. She pushed hard against the edge of her glass, sending it toppling into the bottle containing the rest of her. Both fell and shattered on the cellar floor. From her puddle she watched the grief of wasted dollars and lost taste sensation flood her owners face and was satisfied.

Published on July 31, 2009

7 Responses to It’s Okay To Drink Wine ‘Cause It Don’t Have Any Feelings

dan powell July 31, 2009

This was my entry for the In Vino Veritas flash fiction competition over on The Clarity of Night. It failed to place but did score over 40 out of 45, gaining me entry into the 40 point club over there, for whatever that's worth.

Apologies to any who have read this already, but I thought I would post it a) for those that haven't and b) because I won't have time today to write and polish something new.
Laura Eno July 31, 2009

It's always good to recycle, gains a wider audience. 🙂

Now I'll have to take care what I say around my beverages…they're vindictive. Nice story!
anasazistories July 31, 2009

Ha, I laughed good at the end. I'd thought that glass of wine would have a will but not away, incapable of action, but no, it committed a murder-suicide out of spite! I love that. Lesson: drink that wine quickly, and don't make it angry.

–Jeff Posey
Paige Bruce July 31, 2009

What an interesting look at wine. I'll have to pass this on to my mom, who appreciates wine much more than I do. 🙂 I can appreciate the story though.
Chris Chartrand August 1, 2009

Loved the jilted lover slant. Thanks for posting this and giving us a chance to experience it as well.
J. M. Strother August 1, 2009

Fun little piece, Dan. It's hard to write a convincingly from an object's point of view. You carried it off nicely.

This might also explain why my diet Sunkist Orange soda leapt onto my keyboard. I was obviously paying much to much attention to the computer rather than it!
~jon
kjm August 1, 2009

A murder/suicide indeed. Excellent story, Dan. A reminder that the dollar value is not always the true measure of something's worth.