Thursday, April 2 2009
Happy Birthday, Chuck and Jack
Europe's greatest ruler and its greatest lover, born this day.
April 2nd marks the birthday of both Karolus Magnus, rex Francorum, rex Langobardorum and imperator Romanorum and Giacomo Girolamo Casanova de Seingalt, a librarian with an interesting hobby. Modern folk will most likely recognise them by the handles Charlemagne and Casanova.
Aside from the historical interest of such an important ruler, and the prurient interest surrounding the friendly Venetian adventurer, each of them has an interesting connection to to the world of wine, and advice for us that sits well today.
Charlemagne is closely associated with white Burgundy (the most famous of which is still called Corton-Charlemagne, on vineyard land he deeded to the Abbey of Saulieu in 775). For a big guy (six-three and a neck like a bull) he was a moderate drinker who never drank more than three cups of wine at a meal, and also had a distaste for drunks. Legend has it his wife got tired of the stain of red wine at the edges of his beard, and nagged him until he switched to white, and ordered the red vines ripped out of his vineyard and replaced with white.
Casanova knew the importance of good nutrition for a man undertaking strenuous labours. He always travelled with a small case containing a boiled egg, a split of champagne, a small loaf and some good butter. Starting off the day with a nutritious breakfast may not solve all your troubles, but it can't hurt--especially if the champagne is good.
Happy birthday fellas.
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