The Hallmark Channel has been on heavy rotation in our household in recent weeks. After all, this is the most wonderful time of the year, and Hallmark has been going 24/7 with holiday movies since around Valentine’s Day… or close to it, it seems.
We inherited the Hallmark habit from my wife’s dad, of all people. I say “of all people” because he served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War — not exactly the demographic one might associate with the channel.
But this tough ol’ Marine is a softy at heart, and it’s fun watching the Christmas movies with him and seeing him tear up as the “and they all lived happily ever after” moment arrives. (And the nice thing about Hallmark movies is that it always arrives.)
I do have two quibbles with these holiday movies — and pretty much all Hallmark movies that involve wine — however. And each serves as a useful lesson for getting the most out of wine enjoyment.
1. Wine glasses are almost always held incorrectly.
Even in wine-themed movies, there have been scenes when the glasses are held by the bowl rather than by the stem.
Honestly, this is a minor point because most glasses of wine are consumed fairly quickly. But if a wine is poured at precisely the correct temperature for the variety, the only way to maintain that temperature is to not allow body (hand) heat to warm up the glass. That is the reason for holding a glass by its stem.
Of course, when it comes to stemless wine glasses or tumblers that are popular in Italy, all that concern goes out the window. Perhaps they have the best idea: Just enjoy the food, the wine and the company, and don’t overthink any of it.
2. Wine racks are almost always seen in the kitchen — and often above the stove.
The kitchen tends to be the warmest room in the house, especially when meals are being prepared. Heat is the enemy of wine, causing it to grow old before its time… or worse.
Wine should always be stored in a dark, cool place. A closet, preferably away from the kitchen, works just fine. Right above the stove is the worst possible place for a wine rack.
There! Now you have a new reason to watch the Hallmark Channel. In addition to their movies’ wonderful endings, you can be on the lookout for how wine is handled.
