I’ve always been interested in philosophy.

It’s not because I fully understand all the philosophers of history, but because of the disciplines many attempts to answer the ultimate question of life. Is philosophy as simple as: “Cogito ergo sum” — I think, therefore I am?

After a few courses of the discipline, I realized it tested my patience too much, or maybe it tested my intelligence too much. Hmmm, either way I left the study, but have maintained my interest to this day.

How does one experience philosophy in one’s everyday life? I don’t think we have to ponder too hard on that issue because we exhibit philosophy in all we do and connect it to our own life’s experiences.

Whew! It’s time for a bit of wine. How about a nice full bodied plummy tasting Cabernet Sauvignon like Line 39? Speaking of wine, can you see Socrates sitting in the Parthenon teaching his students about life and enjoying a glass of wine? I wonder if he consumed an Assyrtiko? That image pleases me just like his teachings of to be kind because everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle of some kind.

The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard spoke to the experience of wine tasting. He focused on the concepts of free will, self-expression and the human experience. Let’s see how those thoughts play out for a wine choice.

• Free will: Which wine you enjoy is your choice. If you enjoy a $6 bottle of Chardonnay, go for it. Don’t be moved from your choice because some wine expert says you must pay over $20 a bottle to fully enjoy a Chardonnay.

• Self expression: Which wine speaks to you? Do you like a wine that expresses a stoney fruit flavor or a chocolate taste? Does the dryness of minerality speak to you more than the sweetness of pineapple? Follow your flavor buds and express your appreciation through a smile.

• The human experience: Think back to your wine tasting experiences, and, again, follow your desires. Your human experience is different from every other human experience — embrace it.

It’s time for a mead. Søren would be so proud of me!

During our journey of life, we’ve all met the good, the bad and the ugly. You’ve tasted good wine, right? And you’ve probably tasted some bad and ugly wines, too. C’est la vie! Let your human experience reflect in your wine of choice.

We’ve all made some questionable choices — Errare humanum est — to err is human. So let’s pour a glass of huangjiu — Chinese sake — and mull the wisdom of my favorite philosopher, Confucius.

He counseled everyone to be benevolent, to be kind to everyone and to everything. He asked us to live a life of reciprocity and help one another. Also, he wanted us to live with filial piety — to respect your immediate family as well as your human family.

OK, now it’s really time for a pinch of tawny port!

As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!