French kiss

Apart from the fact that he allowed Pompey Magnus take credit for his suppression of the Spartacus slave revolt in 73.B.C., Marcus Licinius Crassus’s best claim to historic fame is that he managed to get himself and seven Roman legions slaughtered at the battle of Carrhae about 52 B.C.

Crassus made his fortune in Rome in the fire “suppression” business. He controlled a large gang in Rome who would only put out a fire after the building had been sold at (pardon the pun) a fire sale price. It was a tremendously lucrative business: on his death Crassus’s worth was estimated in the range of $140 million by today’s standards.

In the mid 1800s the “Gangs of New York” formed hook and ladder companies to fight fire in that city. Firefighting was a big revenue earner for these gangs. Street brawls would determine the winner of the lucrative job of fighting the fire raging behind them. (Unless the rare local authority “assigned” the job to one of the gangs.)

What has this to do with wine? Well, really not a lot. I must confess to be shamelessly shilling for the East & Main Firefighters Benefit Dinner taking place on Friday March 8. A large portion of the fire service here in Prince Edward County is staffed by volunteers who give the irreplaceable commodity of their time to the community. For our part, we at East & Main try to raise funds for their training and equipment. Look for the menu soon to be online, and book early as space is limited.

I can confirm that Crassus and Pompey liked wine and that they both had vineyards in their substantial country estates. The Gangs, however, were godless whisky-swilling miscreants.

Thank heavens for Prince Edward County’s volunteer first response crews!

Next week back to wine stories, I promise.

THIS WEEK’S PICK
This week, I tasted the Sandbanks Estate 2010 French Kiss ($24.95). This classic blend is made from County-grown Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes, as well as Ontario-grown Cabernet Sauvignon.

Owner/winemaker Catherine Langlois has artfully combined this seductive blend to embrace the senses with a rich, warm array of dark fruits and Bing cherries. The palate is a range of soft red fruits, cherry, and damsons with a hint of tar and a dry chalky finish making you wish for more.

French Kiss is the perfect wine for a winter roast beef dinner. This girl has legs and the kiss is intoxicating with an alcohol level of 13.6 per cent. Available at the winery located at 17598 Loyalist Parkway.