Simple Gifts

A remarkable thing happens to me when I let myself stretch a little, when I take a little risk: the gifts come pouring in. These take many forms: a single blunt compliment, or the simple suggestion of a smile from someone wholly new. Or it might be a new request to work my craft, or to become part of a new enterprise. It might simply be a thing that in itself is just a thing, but is also something more, imbued with intent, an artifact of connecting, of human experience.

A new gift arrived today. This time it took the form of a bottle of Greek wine, an Aivalis Agiorgitiko, sent by someone I didn't even know just a few months ago. But I've been stretching a little recently, reaching out with curiosity and a huge appetite to a community of wine and food loving people, trying to learn more. This is how I met Markus Stolz, a German who lives in Athens with his Greek wife and four kids, and who's trying to elevate the stature of Greek wine abroad. I'd recently edited a piece for Palate Press that mentioned Agiorgitiko, and Markus discovered that although I'd had to fact-check the name, I'd never tried the wine. This was unacceptable, evidently—and bang, a bottle arrived by post two weeks later.

Yes, it was requited. In return, Markus got a quart of maple syrup from a sugarbush a mile from my house. He's thrilled, and his kids are more so. But reciprocity is not the point. A gift like this tells me that I must be doing something right, that I'm taking the right kind of chances. Because now I've found someone on the other side, shouting back through the amber fog—someone I hope will be there for a long, long time.

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Comments

[Evan Dawson]

I'd like to take credit for this interwebs connections. I am a matchmaker working with a series of tubes.

Really - send me some maple and I'll send you some Riesling. It's a trading post, this maker's table!

[Meg Houston Maker]

Clearly, I'm going to have to work out some kind of deal with that neighbor who makes the syrup.

[Jennifer]

Lovely sentiments. I look forward to reading more about this wine.

[viviane bauquet farre / food & style]

Meg, as always I enjoyed reading your post. Beautiful words and beautiful sentiments.

This liquid trade of yours is a very good idea - for all parties!

I've been thinking that I need to branch out as well when it comes to discovering new wines. You are inspiring me.

[Meg Houston Maker]

Thanks, Jen and Viviane. I'm glad to learn that you both follow Markus, too (@elloinos). I'll be sure to post more here once that wine's been tried.

[Rose at The Bite Me Kitchen]

I've never had wine from Greece! This realization has brought me shame. Please do post and let us know how it is! What a lovely trade ;)

[amy]

I've realized that in order to get through the A-Z Challenge I may need to drink more Greek wine. Would like to know more.

Also, the syrup sounds lovely. One of my fondest childhood memories is tapping a tree and making syrup in pre-school!

[Meg Houston Maker]

Let's see... Albariño, Barolo, Coenobium, Dolcetto... For X you'd have to try Xinomavro. This could be fun.