Wine and Lent

Lent is supposed to be a time for change, reflection, forgiveness, abstinence, love, death and rebirth.  Since this is a wine and food blog, and generally not a blog with an overtly religious tone, at first there doesn't seem to be much about Lent to draw from that would fit within my typical guidelines.  I am not about to ask anyone to consider giving up wine during Lent in an effort to get closer to God.  (Although, as part of my Lenten sacrifice I'm considering trying new white wines and leaving the reds behind for a while.  Somehow I'm not certain that type of "sacrifice" would bring a smile to my priest's face.  But then again, what would?) 

So how do I fit Lent into this blog?  Simply, I don't.  But Robert Louis Stevenson does, with this fitting commentary:  "A bottle of good wine, like a good act, shines ever in the retrospect."

In this period we call Lent, go forth and do a good act or two, and if it includes wine - all the better!  Shine on!