How much do you know about wine? My expertise consists of recognizing a white or red wine or a rose Zimpfandel. Yes, I know my colors. 
Two months ago we visited Napa Valley and I listened with fascination as wine experts explained the properties of their wines and allowed us to taste samples.
Two months ago we visited Napa Valley and I listened with fascination as wine experts explained the properties of their wines and allowed us to taste samples.I usually don’t drink. One can of beer or a glass of wine greatly improves my mood. More would make me tipsy. 
Imagine, by 11:00 am I already drank three glasses, by 1:00 pm I added four more, and by 4:00 pm I totaled ten glasses of delicious wines. Yes, I was giggling, kissing my husband and loving every bit of the beautiful Napa Valley. In spite of the daze shrouding my brain, I learned a few things about vines, grapes and wines: The smaller the grape, the more concentrated the flavor. 
Skin color and thickness give wine (red and rose) its color and its aromatic qualities. 
Skin color and thickness give wine (red and rose) its color and its aromatic qualities. Acid and sugar level in the fruit determine the wine’s sweetness and percentage of alcohol. An average temperature of 57-59o F is ideal and good vineyards need very well drained soils. Slopes which have concentrated sunlight and better drainage are more suited to vines than flat lands. 
In my latest book, PRESCRIPTION IN RUSSIAN, the heroine learns to drink vodka.
Excerpt: Fyodor handed Jillian her shot glass and raised his. “Welcome to Belarus. I’m sure we will have a great working relationship.”
Jillian considered her shot glass without touching it. A deep scowl furrowed between her eyes.
“What’s wrong? Is there a bug floating in it?”
“You expect me to drink this, straight? No ice, no water, no orange juice?”
“Why would you spoil the taste of vodka? We always drink it straight. Try it.” He clicked his glass against hers. “Nazhtrovia.”
She sighed, stared at the clear liquid in her glass, and slowly raised her drink.
“It’s not a medicine. Believe me, you will like it. Nazhtrovia.”
“Cheers. I mean Nazhtrovia.” At first, she sipped it slowly, then took a good swallow, choked, coughed, and cleared her throat. “Not too bad.”
Fyodor laughed. “You will get used to it.”
With time, she would get used to their vodka and hopefully to their food and traditions. Maybe she could get used to him and his children. Bozha moy, Good God, what was he thinking?
Cursing himself, Fyodor grabbed his shot glass and emptied it. She’d just arrived in his country and had acted as the conscientious delegate, dedicated doctor, and perfect guest, but otherwise she’d been assertive, poised, reserved, and somewhat aloof. Da, but she had lovely eyes and fabulous assets. And he was hard-put to deny his attraction.
Cursing himself, Fyodor grabbed his shot glass and emptied it. She’d just arrived in his country and had acted as the conscientious delegate, dedicated doctor, and perfect guest, but otherwise she’d been assertive, poised, reserved, and somewhat aloof. Da, but she had lovely eyes and fabulous assets. And he was hard-put to deny his attraction.
Blurb:
An American Pediatrician
A Russian Surgeon
A woman who frantically avoids marriage and family
A man with four adorable sons who badly need a mother
Can attraction and love overcome guilt, duty, and a clash of cultures?
“Mona Risk writes heroes with heart, heroines with spunk in stories and settings that are simply unforgettable!" -- Roxanne St. Claire, Killer Curves, National Bestseller.
6 comments:
I've been to the California wine region several times and learned so much. It was one of my favorite trips.
Loved your excerpt! Can't imagine getting used to drinking vodka straight. LOL
Hi Jennifer, drinking vodka became part of my jod description during my business trips to Belarus. LOL I went through what the heroine is feeling! Touring the Napa Valley with my husband was a lovely experience.
My Russian DIL's parents on a visit brought some vodka as a gift. I'm not a alcohol person, but this stuff was great; could have finished the whole bottle by myself.
And how many bottles of wine did you buy? Whew! Ten glasses?
A whole bottle of vodka?! Good God, Rhobin, you must have some Russian blood in your veins. You should have seen me after one shot of vodka, throat on fire, teary eyes but lot of giggles.
Sounds like you had a good time, Mona;)
Mona, you should have stopped by to say hello! You were here during the green season. How fun!
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