Account of a Wine-derful Visit from St. Nicholas
By Sara A. Wyen ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the cellar, Not a creature was stirring, not even a feller; The barrels were stacked in the basement with care. In hopes that the Winemaker soon would be there; The bottles were nestled, all snug in their crates. Anxiously awaiting the addition of freights; The juices were ready, both sweet and tart- From the grapes of the world, a promising start. When up in the winery was heard a great racket; It seemed the Winemaker was missing many a packet. Of yeast! Without which no wine could he make; Just as bread with no flower will bake. And what to do with so little time; And many a variety to make of wine. In angst, the Winemaker, a silent wish did say- For the missing packet to return before a dawning Christmas Day; He winced and he grimaced and he hoped really hard, When he heard a strange sound from out in the yard- He threw open the door and peered out to see; A jolly good fellow chuckling with glee. He was dressed all in red with a beard white as snow. Perched on a sleigh his face quite aglow; The sleigh it was drawn by eight prancing deer; The Winemaker stumbled and gasped with fear. ‘Be not afraid,’ said the man with a look; And from under his arm he produced a great book. His eyes were twinkling as he opened it wide- While the Winemaker considered running inside. His finger it lingered over the list of deeds; The reindeer they stomped, eager at their leads. ‘Sir Winemaker, I see here many a good act; To make others merry, this is a fact.’ ‘For Christmas I give you this one small gift;’ He reached in his sack as the sleigh it did lift- And pulled out a package all shiny and bright; To give to the Winemaker, now absent of fright. The Winemaker thanked him, saw a twinkle in his eye. And watched as the sled, away it did fly; He rushed back inside and undid the wrapping, Of the package before him, from which was not lacking- The yeast he had hoped for, to find a way- The make the wine before the break of day! The Winemaker was jubilant, he cried with great joy- ‘Merry Christmas to every girl and boy!’ He got right to work, mixing the yeast; Picturing in his mind a festive, next-day feast. With wine for all – red, white and blush; From the barrels, the wine richly did gush. Into the bottles – green, white and blue; Flowed all the wine; some old, some new. On to corking the Winemaker did go; Just as from the sky fell an early morning snow. He corked them and capped them, each one was a prize. The Winemaker grew weary, as the town it did rise. Labeled and polished, the wines placed on the shelves; The Winemaker as busy as one of Santa’s own elves. The bottles they glimmered in the early morning light; And the Winemaker knew he had witnessed a magic sight. Just in time for Christmas, the wine it was there- Bringing joy and good fortune to people everywhere!Merry Christmas to you all!
And for more of my wine blogging adventures, please visit me at Camelot Cellars.
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