Zen Breath 3-2-1

Note: You are receiving this email because you subscribed to my weekly 3-2-1 newsletter or you subscribed to the Koi Zen Cellars newsletter. Every Friday, I share 3 wine terms, 2 quotes from me, and 1 question for you to ponder. Occasionally, I also send out long-form articles on habits and self-improvement.


In Loving Memory of
Thích Nhất Hạnh
Died January 22, 2022 age of 95

3 terms, 2 quotes, 1 question

March 11, 2022


Happy Friday! Time to wrap up this week and get ready for the next! Take a deep breath and kick off the weekend on a positive note. Let's consider where we have been, improve it, and move forward next week. Packing the most content into the least words and trying to change the world, one glass at a time.

Subscribe to this newsletter

3 - Wine Terms - Weird Wine Words


Just like any industry, the wine world is filled with unusual words and so lets touch on 3 of them.
  1. Terroir - a French word that translates roughly to "place" and describes all of the physical characteristics where the grapes were grown. This includes the soil, slope, location, rain, snow, temperature, flora and fauna. The French (and so do I) believe that the combination of these characteristics leave a distinct mark on the wine.

    Understanding these differences allows wine experts (such as the ones we help train at Koi Zen) to identify not only what the grape varietal is, but where is was made, how it was made, and how old is it.

    Note : this often does not work with mass produced homogenized bulk wines.
  2. Typicity - when a apple tastes like an apple it has high typicity. When a Cabernet Sauvignon tastes like a Cab, then it has high typicity. When a wine expert tastes a wine that has low typicity, they know it was either blended or poorly produced.

    Note : the typicity changes based upon the terroir. (just to complicate things a bit) - for example, we will be bottling our 2019 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon this Sunday which tastes completely different than our 2018 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon - however they both have very distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon markers.
  3. Angular - a well crafted wine will be smooth, balanced and whole where all of the parts work together to create a pleasant experience. When a wine is not harmonious, it is often referred to as Angular. Think of a pebble in your shoe, even though it might be small, it bites you and spoils the experience. Sometimes this is due to the wine being too young and needs time to integrate and mature, or due to a miss judgement in blending that leave the wine less than desirable. Regardless, it just tastes bumpy and abrasive.
Note : Now that we are over the COVID hump, Koi Zen Cellars will be starting some wine education classes - bringing back some popular ones and some new ones to sip upon. Keep on the lookout for class announcements. Shoot me an email on what you want to learn.

2 - Quotes from Thich Nhat Hanh:

  1. "The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
  2. "Breathing in, I know Mother Earth is in me. Breathing out, I know Mother Earth is in me" ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

1 - Question to ponder:

Remembrance

Thích Nhất Hạnh (known as Thay - Vietnamese for teacher) was a Vietnamese Thiền Buddhist monk, peace activist, prolific author, poet, teacher, and founder of the Plum Village Tradition, historically recognized as the main inspiration for engaged Buddhism. Known as the "father of mindfulness", Nhất Hạnh was a major influence on Western practices of Buddhism.

He established Deer Park Monastery in north Escondido which I started attending occasionally on Sundays for a Day of Meditation and though I never met him in person, his spirit lives in me and all of us. He was a prolific writer and I have read many of his book and teachings which are simple and direct. His straight forward writing is easy to understand and experience and I suggest you check them out.

In his 95 years as a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh has made a global impact as a teacher, author, activist, and the founder of the Engaged Buddhism movement. His simple yet deeply profound teachings aim to lead students towards a life of mindfulness, joy, and peace—a life that benefits the planet, and all beings.

In 1967 Martin Luther King nominated Nhất Hạnh for the 1967 Nobel Peace Prize. In his nomination, King said, "I do not personally know of anyone more worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize than this gentle monk from Vietnam. His ideas for peace, if applied, would build a monument to ecumenism, to world brotherhood, to humanity"

A few Thich Nhat Hanh quotes

The ocean of suffering is immense, but if you turn around, you can see the land.

We have to walk in a way that we only print peace and serenity on the Earth. Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.

Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves — slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.

We really have to understand the person we want to love. If our love is only a will to possess, it is not love. If we only think of ourselves, if we know only our own needs and ignore the needs of the other person, we cannot love.

The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.

Visit the Plum Village Website for more information HERE

Question:


What will you be remembered for?

Zen Giggles:

Found this in an Old Farmer's Almanac...

EIGHT THINGS THAT ARE GUARANTEED
1: You can't wash your eyes with soap.
2: You can't count your hairs.

3: You can't breathe through your nose with your tongue out.

4: You just tried number 3
6: When you did number 3, your realized that it is possible, but you look like a dog.

7: You are smiling right now because you were fooled.
8: You skipped number 5.

9: You just checked to see if there is a number 5.

~~ Notice ~~

Notice what you have now - one day you won't

~~~

A favor:


We strive to foster a community who are excited to learn about wine and create a better world for all. We are a small business and appreciate your support. Please encourage others to subscribe to this newsletter and build the community of like minded people. And don't forget to give me some feedback on what you want to learn about - I love hearing from you.

Also, if you are at a point in life where you desire change, but don't know what, where, or how - I suggest taking my online class on Finding Your Passion HERE. It might be the best investment you ever made.

Cheers,

Darius Miller - The Zen Winemaker

P.S. Let me know what you think of the 3-2-1 newsletter - or better yet, share with your friends - it would be much appreciated.


Author of a #1 best seller:
'The Zen Winemaker - Follow Your Dreams & Overcome Your Fears'

Creator of:
'The Zen Wine Tasting Journal - Life is too short to drink bad wine, or to wear ugly underwear.'

Become Inspired:
ZenWinemaker.com