Friday, February 17, 2012

February 17 – “21″

by Grape Stomper Todd on February 17, 2012

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:38 — 39.1MB)

Hello everyone and today is February 17th. And on this day in 1933, the United States Senate passed the Blaine Act. Big deal, you say? We’ll if you like wine it was a big deal. That act, sponsored by Senator John J. Blaine, initiated the repeal of the 18th Amendment of the US Constitution.

That brings us to our Wine Word of the Day: 21

Twenty one is a milestone age if you want to drink wine legally. States used to have different legal ages until the federal government pressured states to raise the legal drinking age to 21 or federal road funds would be withheld.

21 is also the wonderful amendment that repealed the horrible 18th amendment that established prohibition. We have Senator Blaine to thank for that, as he was the author of the 21st amendment which now allows us to drink wine legally.

21 is also the name of the 2012 Grammy winning album of the year by Adele. But I couldn’t find any references to wine in any of her songs on that album, so I for one am disappointed with this year’s Grammy choice. You would think an album about being 21-years-old would have at least one good drinking song in there!

For transcripts links and more podcasts please go to winewordoftheday.com. If you has suggestions for more words, historical fact or tips on how to count cards while playing 21, please send emails to wwd@moonstonecellars.com and until next time, cheers to you!