Here’s a vinous version of an old joke that’s making the rounds of California cellars, including ours. The ethnicity of one of the characters has nothing to do with the story; it’s just how it was told to me.
Sally was driving home from a business trip in northern Arizona when she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking along the side of the road. Sally stopped the car and asked the woman if she’d like a ride. With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got in the car.
Resuming the journey, Sally tried in vain to make small talk with the woman, but the woman just sat there, not uttering a word.
Finally, the old woman noticed a brown bag between the front seats and spoke up. “What in bag?” she inquired.
Sally replied, “It’s a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband.”
The old woman reflected on the information for a moment. Then, with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said, “Good trade.”