Faking It

Some days, it may seem easier to have your body show up for what life has in store and let your mind check out. But "faking it" results in a devaluation of the “real you”.

It is the same with making sparkling wine versus champagne. Except for French Champagne and Spanish Cava, most sparkling wines are made using the charmat or tank method.

This method is a much quicker, cheaper way to put bubbles into wine, although the final product lacks the added qualities that are derived from the traditional process. In the tank method, yeast and sugar are added to bulk base wines which are held in a pressurized tank. This triggers a second fermentation that is halted by cooling the tank. Once the secondary fermentation is finished, the wine is filtered, and a dosage [doh-SAHJ] (A mixture of sugar and often brandy) is added immediately prior to final bottling. The percentage of sugar in the syrup determines the degree of sweetness in the final wine.

Experience life, both good and bad each day, don't fake it!

Wine comes in at the mouth
And love comes in at the eye;
That's all that we will know for truth
Before we grow old and die.
I lift the glass to my mouth,
I look at you and I sigh.

William Butler Yeats