Take it neat

The ability to turn on the tap and refresh ourselves with a cool glass of water is a luxury we take for granted. Clean water is a tribute to our health codes and engineering capabilities.

Providing clean water for citizens has been a major challenge throughout history—especially given how little was known about the danger of pathogens existing in unpurified water. Ancient Rome managed to support a population of one million by providing fresh water via aqueducts to their city. By the 14th century, however, this infrastructure had been destroyed, and population dropped to less than one hundred thousand. Since summer seemed to always bring plagues, European kings would spend those months away from their capital cities. We never thought about the effects of water temperature. Not until the end of the 18th century did the city fathers of London plan, and build, a sewer network to alleviate the seasonal health crisis by piping in fresh water.

Throughout the world there are still places that lack water or that have a contaminated supply. Dysentery, typhoid fever and E. coli infection are but a few bacterial infections that result from poor water. Cholera has once again raised its ugly face in Haiti and more recently in India. (Lest we be complacent, don’t forget the Walkerton outbreak here in Ontario, or SARS…) It beggars belief that First Nations Canadian citizens cannot be guaranteed the same access to fresh water as the rest of us. (Perhaps such problems might be resolved if Aboriginal Affairs, on all levels of government, were less tail and more teeth?)

However, take heart: wine and cider are two beverages that are made without adding water. This means they are safe as long as you do not adulterate them with more water. Or—since it’s that time of year—you could protect yourself from the cold nights by warming up with mulled wine.

THIS WEEK’S PICK
Last week, I tasted a unique spiced wine created by Caroline Granger, winemaker of The Grange of Prince Edward. Made from a single barrel of their 2009 Pinot Noir, it is infused with a bouquet of seasonal spices. The result is amazing! What better winter beverage than mulled wine in a bottle? Serve it warm to accompany your Christmas desserts or (surprisingly) at room temperature beside a cozy fire. This wine is richly fragrant, not sweet. It will be very popular throughout Wassail, and will make a unique stocking stuffer.

The Grange of Prince Edward is located on 990 Closson Road, in Hillier.

Congratulations to Jennifer Dean and Grant Howes, of the County Cider Company, on being crowned queen and king of Wassail 2012.