Ready to wine down and chill? Oh, I know that you are! It’s been a long week. We changed the clocks back but all that did was wake you earlier. And you’re still in the dark.
Don’t worry. We’ve got your back. Return here each Friday to find food, movie, wine and music recommendations that are paired in a theme. Read on for an easy, no-recipe-required fabulous dinner paired with an affordable wine, and a viewing suggestion. We’re here to help you sit back, wine down and chill.
Brandewijn
You’re probably looking at the subtitle, brandewijn, and thinking, “that doesn’t look like an English word I know.” And, if you were thinking that Captain Obvious, then yes, you’d be correct. To be honest, I didn’t know the word either until I started researching for my column.
The word is Dutch. Translated, it means “burnt wine.” And now the lightbulb turns on, right?!
Brandy is distilled from grapes (occasionally some other fruits but we’ll cover that in a moment) and has a long and rather surprising history. Around 1313, brandy appeared in France. At that time, it was considered as medicine.
Believe it or not, it was an elixir touted for its sanitary and strengthening powers and peddled as “l’eau de vie” which translates to “the water of life.” I could go there and say that if brandy is good for you, ergo wine is good for you … but this is a fun little wine down and chill column and we’re not going to make any crazy claims!
