As a former science teacher, I was skeptical about the validity of horoscopes based on the signs of the zodiac. I am, however, amazed at how accurate my sign and horoscope can be. I’m a Libra, and the symbol is a set of balances.
As a teenager, I became fascinated with chemistry, and eventually spent most of my career in Richmond Schools and later at UBC’s Faculty of Education teaching chemistry.
The central tool of chemistry that paved the way for chemistry to be a powerful branch of science were accurate balances. And just as balances can tip up and down before they balance out, Libras take a while to consider the many sides to a decision. But once the decision is made, we stick to it, often for life!
The current Zodiac sign from May 21st to June 20th is Gemini, the twins. The essence of Gemini energy is fascination, originality, resourcefulness, charm, wisdom and adventure.
But as you expect, there is a lot of duality in being a Gemini. The negative side can devolve into restlessness, distraction, judgmentalism, depression and overwhelmed energy. Gemini has a tendency to ride the roller coaster of life, spiraling skywards one minute and plunging into lows the next.
Gemini, therefore would be completely in their element at a winery or a wine tasting. There they will find many wines for tasting, comparing, and enjoying, as well as pouring out into the spit bucket.
What would be a wine fit for these paradoxical twins? Riesling!
Rieslings can range from bone dry, to off dry with just a bit of grape juice sweetness to balance the bracing acidity of that grape, to delicious and decadent dessert wines like the German Tba’s, Trockenbeerenausleses.
They can also be very low in alcohol, like German Mosel Rieslings with eight per cent alcohol, to ones from B.C. or Australia that have 13.5 per cent levels.
One of my favourite Mosels is Dr. L (Loosen) Riesling ($17.49). It’s a delicate off-dry white with aromas of apples and lemon, and flavours of tree fruit, honey, and peaches, with a touch of sweetness and a dry finish. I served it at my wine classes for two decades and it often was the favourite out of the 10 wines we sampled.
From the Okanagan comes another delicious Riesling. At the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival earlier this month, Evolve Cellars 2016 Riesling ($18.99) won the best of the aromatics under $19 as well as top prize of best varietal of the year!
Here is how Encore Vineyards describes their Evolve Riesling:
“Aroma – lime juice, floral notes and a touch of honey.
Taste – well balanced citrus and peach, smooth,full-bodied and seamless palate.
Eat – seafood, crab cakes, Asian cuisine such as red curry, or sweet and spicy dishes.”
Obviously the judges at the festival think that this is a stellar wine for the price and whether you’re a Gemini or not, it’s worth a taste. I was impressed!
And if you are a Gemini, you might get a kick out of song written for the dual twins, Mr. Duality.
Eric Hanson is a retired Richmond teacher and an ongoing wine educator
