One of our friends (colleague of my wife – Mamta) Dr. Alan Block has been making wine for last 35 years. We have admired Alan as one of the multi talented person – renovated his own house himself, put in a huge swimming pool himself, has one of the best gardens (flowers, fruits, veggies), among many other things.
Alan has been trying to convince me to make wine for last 2 years - gave me wine making book on Christmas, telling me stories whenever we meet on social events, etc. I will admit that I have aspired to move into wine making business when I get done with the Corporate world. Mamta wants to open Nursery - grow flowers and veggies – she will love if she can avoid selling any so she can admire them - all the time.
This year I started the wine making project. This week, Peter (our contractor) is putting up a Winery in the basement of our house. Alan and I decided to make white wine this season – he is making “Chardonnay” a dry wine while I am making “Riesling”. Riesling is a white grape variety which originates in the Rhine region of Germany. Riesling is an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery, almost perfumed, aromas as well as high acidity.
We got crushed grapes from Napa Valley in California last week. Last week was the start of the wine making season in US – lasts for about 2 weeks when you have to get the grapes crushed and the process started. There are specially places where you get all the supplies and equipment for making wine. When we went there over the weekend, it was full of people as many were undertaking some major wine making projects.
I hope this first batch of wine comes out well. I extend an open invitation to IPM ites – Class of 88 – you are all welcome for some wine at my place.
Vipul
Saturday, September 27, 2008
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2 comments:
Guy's, I was told about this wine making by Vipul when I was talking with him couple of days aso. I like the various interests which Mamta and Vipul have on some of the stuff they want to pursue.
Let me ask you all, how many of us here in India really remember what our hobbies were? Or what we want to do in life? Can I take up a hobby now? I am sure majority of us would say, hobby aur is age mein are you going nuts!!!! We need to take care of the family, kids education, save for the future, take care of zillion of things except for looking at what we really want!! What I can see possitive with Vipul and Mamta is that the are willing to move on and do something different which will make them happy. On the flip side for some of us who want to do such things in life, the only factor stopping is the urge / desire to move forward with the plan and above all the thoughts from our "Society" which makes us think... what would the guys next door or our neighbour or our relatives think about me once they come to knowabout me wanting to do this?
I know for sure that Sangeeta keeps working out on the things which she likes and thinks she does best, including painting, dancing, organizing events etc. etc., on the other hand I am the lazy one who does things which are not creative and just does a lot of "day dreaming (which by the way is not bad!!)". However, I want to move on so I have actively taken the hobby of playing “Squash regularly” and plan to join the gym and try to get myself “fit and slimmer” for the re-union.
Million dollar question, why on the earth am I writing all this?? With the enthusiasm which we see in Mamta and Vipul that has been nicely expressed by them and some of the insights of what Sangeeta does, can we all not take some time for ourselves and see what we want to do differently??? We got only this one life with us and if we let it go without letting our hair down for once and feeling fresh again and trying to do the things we want to do (and not forced to do). Can we not do this for ourselves??
Please take some time and see what you want to do, try to pursue it, maybe you cannot do it with full devotion but still give it a try man.
Sanjay:
A Question well raised – something I ponder on a regular basis specially when I see many people pushing the envelop and achieving new heights – and new heights not in terms of just economic achievements but more in terms of advancing the achievement of human endeavor on this planet.
I strongly believe it is our own thinking that limits us – anything outside sure does not. What we got to loose – anyway do not have much time left before it will be over. Over the years – as everyone else – have met with many accomplished individuals in different fields – cannot see any difference between them and us – just thinking.
Vipul
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