This summer was hot and dry. Many fields suffered, but vineyards thrived. Teran will be just right this season. There will be less of it, but it will be better than it has been for years. In short, it is time to buy this Istrian red in bulk. Today I bought a stainless-steel barrel of one-hundred and fifty liters. A clever contraption, it has a sliding cover sealed with oil that keeps the air out as the wine level drops. If I ever fall short of wine, I will buy another barrel. Imagine the joy of walking down to the cellar, reaching for the tap, and filling a carafe with rich, fragrant, frothy liquid! Any time of day or night! Come to think of it, I should go for a bigger barrel next time around.

Addendum I (January 13, 2004)

Having nearly forgotten about this piece, and especially about its concluding sentence and the veiled promise it harbors, yesterday I bought a smaller barrel. Alas, it holds one-hundred liters only. So, who knows, I may end up with yet another clever contraption, but this time I may indeed go for a largish one—say, two-hundred and fifty liters. My cellar is big enough. And so is the joy of walking down to the cellar, reaching for the tap… Now I know exactly what I am talking about, too.

Addendum II (November 17, 2015)

Over the years, two stainless-steel barrels have turned out to be enough for me. They sufficed for all my needs, including many a large party. But things have changed. First I stopped having parties around seven years ago, and then I cut down my alcohol consumption about a year ago. Now I drink two glasses of wine a day at most. In other words, the two barrels are way too many for my present needs. Although the joy of walking down to the cellar and filling a carafe with wine is still there, the smaller barrel was last refilled three or four years ago. And I cannot imagine I will have it refilled again any time soon. The larger barrel has been almost empty for years, and it seems that it is high time to get rid of it altogether. Having said all this, I marvel at the passion with which the original piece was written. Silly youth!