By Liz Miller, West End Wine Manager
“The flowers in silence seem to breathe such thoughts as language cannot tell.”
-Mrs. L Burke from The Illustrated Language of Flowers
Victorians were obsessed with flowers, and used them in the same way that we use emojis today. Imagine that a messenger knocked on your door in the 19th century, wielding a carefully coded bouquet of flowers. You probably rushed for your flower dictionary to decode the arrangement’s secret meaning. Charlotte de la Tour's Le Langage des Fleurs, published in 1819, was the first book of its kind that detailed the immense symbolism of flowers. This book had such a profound impact on 19th-Century Western society that scholars cite it as a valuable artifact in understanding the traditions of the time.
Victorian women were also virtuosos of flower pressing. Pressing flowers acted as a way to preserve these messages as tokens of a bygone memory. As the days grow shorter, and the air becomes cool and crisp, the flowers fade away to reemerge in the springtime. Don’t despair however, because the following are fermented with botanicals to remind us of days past. Give these beverages, with florals preserved, to a loved one in the same way that Victorian high-society would give bouquets to convey a message.
Lady of the Sunshine Botanical NV Solera No. 3 (Chamomile)
While this wine is steeped with an abundance of botanicals, the label boasts a bouquet of wild chamomile hand-drawn by vintner, Gina Giugni. Chamomile generally symbolizes love and tenderness, happiness, joy, and positivity. In ancient Egypt, chamomile was associated with the sun god Ra, and a popular flower that symbolized rebirth and regeneration. Chamomile was also used in pagan rituals to bring emotional and spiritual balance. Give this wine to someone who can use a bit of sunshine in their life.
This wine is inspired by the broader landscape of California’s central coast. Wild shrubs among the wildflowers, fields of local citrus in bloom, and the salty ocean mist of the Pacific coastline. These are the nostalgic aromatics that remind L.O.T.S. of home. The solera style base makes up 50% of the blend with the other 50% being fresh wine of the 2023 vintage - which offers freshness and acidity to the layered and richer base wine. The two components were blended together, then steeped with dried botanicals and foraged delights from their garden and Stepladder Ranch. This wine is full of texture and freshness, best served around cellar temperature. Think wild lemon balm, spiced sun tea, and salted citrus rinds. Only 96 cases produced.
Straightaway Cocktails Fiore Spritz (Iris)
The iris’ name, derived from the Greek word for rainbow, reflects its wide range of colors. The iris is more than just a beautiful bloom however; it's a bearer of messages and a symbol of deep sentiments. In floriography (the language of flowers), the iris carries meanings of faith, courage, hope, and wisdom; and can be traced back to the Greek goddess Iris, who was a messenger for the gods. Give this refreshing spritz to someone in need of encouragement.
To enjoy aperitivo is to unwind from the day’s events and prime the palate for any feast the evening may bring. What better way to begin the evening than sipping the botanical fizz of an iris-imbued spritz? Dotting the hillsides of Italy, the iris fiore, or flower, is revered for its aroma and regality. Straightaway Fiore Spritz is a sophisticated blend of floral notes with a touch of bitterness that positions it above the rest.
Fonta Flora “Mary’s Gold” (Marigold)
Although not a grape wine, this bière de coupage-style blended spontaneous ale aged on estate-grown marigold flowers results in a beer that is similar to wine in some ways. In Mexico, marigolds are a key symbol of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). Their bright colors are said to guide the spirits of the dead back to the living, and their petals are scattered on altars, graves, and in homes. SImilarly, in the Victorian language of flowers, marigolds were symbols of mourning and remembrance. There has been a lot of loss around me this past month - including both human and animal losses in my family. Drink this bière de coupage to honor lives lost.
Created from a blend of 75% Appalachian spontaneous ale married with 25% fresh saison, brewed with water from Fonta Flora’s wells along with 99% local ingredients. Aged additionally on estate-grown marigold flowers, and conditioned naturally in the bottle with brettanomyces yeast.
From Fonta Flora:
“Back in the Summer/Fall of 2022, our production facility at Whippoorwill Farm in Nebo, North Carolina turned into a self exclaimed marigold factory. Somewhat unintentional, the massive yellow/orange blooms were prolific and left a long lasting effect on our customers who frequent the farm. Boasting an unmistakable spicy aroma along with hints of citrus and mint, backed by pineapple funk and fields of golden wheat straw, this newest offering in our coupage series centered around local flowers is a new funky favorite.”
