In a future world where the weather is controlled, vineyard owner Bharat Mundari is unable to pay his weather bill after spending too much on his daughter’s wedding. The grapes are suffering in the resulting drought, and he is afraid to tell his wife about the trouble they are in; she knows, however, that he is keeping a secret from her and imagines the worse.
Although it gets a bit sappy towards the end, [1. Guilty as charged, but I like sappy…particularly with body and structure, paired with a velvety finish as in a Sauternes. Seriously, do you think she knows that “sappy” is a popular description of Chateau d’Yquem‘s Semillon? Because that would be hilarious.] this one is enhanced by the viniculture neep, and the wine-review epigraphs opening each section are a nice touch:
Mundari Vineyard 2045, Nashik (India), ShirazBlack cherry, plum, and currant flavors mingle with aromas of sweet tobacco and sage in this dependable offering from India.
I have to give credit to Rob for the wine-review epigraphs. He wrote them. I cut them down to manageable lengths.
via IRoSF: Short Fiction, January 2009.
*snerk*
That reminds me, I should bribe Rob into reading THE VINEART WAR so he can tell me all the stuff I got wrong…
It is so nice to have a friend who gets wine jokes.
Do you want me to ask him for you or do you still have his email address?