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OK, folks, bear with me for a bit.
In our little corner of the world, it's mayfly season. It's time for those little flighty critters to fill the air and a lot of objects with themselves. I took a picture of a river sign that was covered with them, and sent it to the family. The responses were less than positive, but I started to think about them from their perspective. So…
My story
For almost the last 12 months, I've lain on the bottom of the river. That was my birthplace but now it's time to take wing. I'm not sure why these things happened to me -- guess it's in my family's genes. I'm told by my teachers that we are examples of some of the oldest living insects in the world, but we only draw breath for about two days and then, adios.
I floated to the top of the river, spread my wings and took off. What a glorious feeling! Around me are flying many, many of my mayfly family -- we form a magnificent cloud and search for meaning. We have to be careful where we land because birds and fish just love to eat us. I feel the need for a partner and believe I've found her. However, this day has been tough on me -- I'm slowing down.
The sun is up again, and I'm really slowing down. I think I'll join a number of my family sitting on that sign by the banks of the river. I'll just rest for a bit. Now, I'm really tired, things are slowing down and it seems time to say…Adios. Henry, the mayfly
When I took that picture of the river sign covered with mayflies and sent it to the family, one member responded that he thought the exoskeleton of the insect would pair nicely with a crisp Pinot Grigio. Well, that's a nice try but … no! However, how about mating some wines with some fish?
I expect most of us like a fried fish, right? There's that crispy layer surrounding the fish and the crunch is so nice. But, what does one drink with such a fat ladened item? The beverage needs to be minerally and crispy dry -- let's go for a Prosecco.
The next time, as you saunter down the wine store aisles, grab that bottle of LaMarco Prosecco. You'll love its crisp dryness that holds the green apple flavors. It'll wash down that fried chunk of fish very nicely.
Now, let's take a look at a healthier fish -- an oily salmon. Filled with good oils this fish needs something to cleanse your mouth after each bite. Why not try a "healthy" Pinot Grigio -- yep, family member, here's where the Pinot Grigio is perfect.
Pour yourself a glass of Canaletto Pinot Grigio and enjoy the heck out of that salmon. There's nothing not (the before mentioned family member will love that double negative!) to like here with the wine's lemony crispness.
But, let's say you're having tilapia tonight -- such an easy eating fish with its mild flavors. You need a mild wine to pair with it and New Zealand is waving its hand at you. Take that bottle of Nobilio Sauvignon Blanc off the shelf, fill a glass, sit down and enjoy how the wine's mild citrusy crispiness mates with the fish.
Just like the mayfly that found a mate in less than a day, this mating of tilapia and Sauvignon Blanc is very pleasing.
Like many things in nature, there are those that are always nice, those that are sometimes nice and those that are a nuisance. The mayfly fits one of those categories -- your choice. Just remember that if you were only here for a couple of days, wouldn't you congregate with your family, too? Adios!