vintellectual_Elissa

Philodemus’ Poetry

Text: love poetry (epigrams) Author: Philodemus of Gadara Date: mid 1st c. BCE Language: Greek Notes: bright, playful, bold, herbaceous, charming, and surprisingly versatile Elissa’s pick: a Verduno Pelaverga like this one This, friends, is a fun one! Philodemus and Philosophy are like Piemonte and Barolo: a comfortable, familiar pairing to those in the know.Continue reading “Philodemus’ Poetry”

Caesar’s De Bello Gallico

Text: Commentarii de Bello Gallico Author: Gaius Iulius Caesar Date: 50s-40s BCE Language: Latin Notes: Drinkable, bright, consistent, somewhat self-aggrandizing Elissa’s pick: a classic White Burgundy like this one Gallia est omnis divisa in appellationes CCCLX… So for Julius Caesar’s classic commentarii on his adventures in the area, we knew we’d have our work cutContinue reading “Caesar’s De Bello Gallico”

Vergil’s Eclogues

Text: Eclogues/Bucolica Author: Publius Vergilius Maro Date: early 30s BCE Language: Latin Notes: Idyllic but not uncomplicated This is a big one, so we put a lot of thought into what wine could stand up to, let alone complement, the text that launched the career of one of history’s most celebrated poets. Our answer? TwoContinue reading “Vergil’s Eclogues”

Thucydides’ History

Text: History of the Peloponnesian War Author: Thucydides Date: late 5th Century BCE Language: Greek Elissa’s pick: a California Lagrein like this one from Imagery Notes: full bodied and astringent with complex and idiosyncratic phrasing; funeral wreaths, dark fruits, Schadenfreude. Among scholars of the Classics, Thucydides is well-recognized for his dense and somewhat intimidating syntax.Continue reading “Thucydides’ History”

Tibullus’ Elegies

Text: Elegies/Carmina Author: Tibullus Date: before 19 BCE Language: Latin Elissa’s pick: a Langhe Nebbiolo like these from Sottimano or G.D. Vajra Notes: approachable bouquet, acerbic; clay, leather, red fruits, angst Rust-red and translucent with a delicate bouquet on approach, Nebbiolo tends to pack a bigger punch than it promises. The varietal has this inContinue reading “Tibullus’ Elegies”