Tuesday, 24 October 2023

Sipping The Prestige








By: Jonathan Seidel



Varieties of symbolic interpretation: lavish religious wine


Wine is historically symbolic in many regards as a model of elite utility. It’s effortful creation and cognitive ramifications dually place it in a specific area. Wine acts as a special beverage for the tip of the iceberg. Differing by society and yet has incredible consequences for the perceptive society.


Beginning with religious societies, Christianity uses wine in the transubstantiation process of deifying Jesus. Wine is sacramental to the ritualistic progression. For Catholics, during this ritual the wine becomes or resembles the blood of Christ. Other Christians permit drinking but forbid drunkenness. Similarly, Islam prohibits drinking wine describing it as the work of Satan. Wine is sacramental but in the opposite regard. It is forbidden for its devilish ramifications. For Jews, wine is necessary for sacred rituals. There is even a sacred day to get drunk. Religious spheres both concern wine as a sentimental piece to their values. Wine is either a luxury form to sanctify or to revere. Alongside the divine doctrinal model, wine’s creation and consequence act as their imparted message. 


Monarchs feasted with wine at their lavish parties. Days-on-end drinking till their minds fainted from mental exhaustion. Some monarchs challenged guests to out-drink them to demonstrate their manhood. Wine was a gift for the kingdom. A beverage for the wealthy and ruling class. An expense the average individual could not afford nor saw it as necessary. The working class was too busy working and drinking would muddle his efforts. Drinking affords loads of labor and thus costs a multitude. Manpower only compensated by rich aristocrats. Yet the wealthy feasts were headed by the ruler. His centerpiece gave him priority. A demonstration of status and power. 


Today, wine is affordable to most democratic citizens. The capitalist market has procured vast different wineries with a collection of wines from cheaper ones to expensive ones. The aging of wine is generally the barometer of price. Nevertheless anyone can buy wine at their local delivery store. The availability of wine enables people to take part in an ancient elitist party. Most do not think this way. The easy routine of purchasing from the market affects the desire to consume it. There are wives who drink a cup of red wine in the evening or pouring a glass for a meal with friends. Yet both differ from men who will drink beer in the evening and at a barbecue. Cheap wine may even be used for cooking as it has become acquainted with the grocery aisle. Supermarkets market wine as a grocery commodity instead of wine stores that try to salvage its prestige.


Prohibition acted as an attempt to limit wine consumption. Less alcohol less disorienting behavior less devilish influence and less danger. Black markets fueled and religious communities were given exceptions that they readily abused.  Nonetheless the ban lasted for a decade. Alcohol was a joyous substance. Yet perceived in the deepest disaster. Alcohol can lead to drunk driving disorderly conduct and other felony actions. Under the influence is dangerous. Yet the rule was not that one could not drink that much but they could not be sold. Alcohol could be drunk but this would raise flags of its origin. People moved to their houses and focused more on sacramental wine than brewed beer. The social shifts manifested a varied dogmatic vision of America. 


Wine is to French identity as beer is to American identity. Yet wine plays a pivotal role in personal encounter. Wine is more prestigious than beer. It is more expensive and dined with more dignity. Wine has this prestige because of the historical notions. With everyone able to attain it did not negate its underpinnings. The poor can afford but it is yet inferior to beer. Beer is the alcohol of the layman. A drink at the pub or with the boys watching the ball game. It is celebratory but less politely so. Wine is for the diligent and pompous. In overthrowing the polite wine raging beer has taken centerstage as the nation’s art. 


Scotch has taken a hold of business outlets. The esteemed suit wearing lawyer will carry a whisky in his office. At the bar he may quickly order a scotch still in his businessman mindset but once descended into the pub scene a little impaired will move to beer. Beer is the other non-business style drink. A beverage of cheap layman. A drink anyone can partake and party. Scotch is for the super prestigious. It has cheapened over the years but it still paves its way as a blazer drink. Still, festivities will call upon wine. Wine has its feminine wiles but it is a manly beverage. It does hold strong to the highest class of business and relaxation. 


It is the slow consumption of wine at a lavish restaurant. Each alcohol has its places and time. Wine is more flexible. It historically has expanded to all places whether social or religious atmosphere. A model of the gods practiced on earth. Wine is savored and complimented. It is controlled and cooled. Relying on the relaxing scene of the ideological oeuvre. 

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