Alcoholic Dilemmas

Writers: Eimi, Jelena
Date Posted: 23rd January 2012

Characters: Fayazel, Ralyen
Description: Fayazel tastes the submitted wine for the inaugural celebrations and is assisted by one of his journeymen.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 5, day 6 of Turn 6

"I don't like the color of this one. It's more orange than white,"
Fayazel said with a disapproving frown as he swirled it around in the
glass. "And there is obvious sediment floating around. Just who
submitted this swill for the Inaugural? I wouldn't serve it in the
tavern without a blush. Mark that one as a 'no'," he said to the
journeyman taking notes beside him.

"A definite no," Ralyen said decisively as he took over the wine for a
moment and studied it. Then he nodded and wrote down their verdict.
"Honestly, don't people understand what it would do to our reputation
if we send this over for the celebrations?"

"Exactly." Fayazel was definitely regretting opening the submissions
for new wines up to the Journeymen as well. He should have trusted his
instincts and stuck with the tried and true Masters. They had
dragonsized egos, but at least they knew better than to try to stand out
by originality rather than taste and presentation! "I am almost afraid
to ask what is next."

"Well, this one is a Master's wine," Ralyen said, sounding somewhat
relieved as he took out the next bottle and handed it to the
Hallsecond. "I'm having high hopes for this one! It's another white,
dry this time."

"Hmmm... Yes, well, let's give it a go. Open it please." Fayazel
helped him by sliding over a fresh glass.

Opening the bottle with a practised hand, the Journeyman poured the
accurate amount of wine into the fresh glass and handed it to Fayazel.
"Here you go, Sir."

The Hallsecond took it by the stem, looking down at it against the pure
white table cloth. "Nice color..." he commented. Swirling it before
lifting it to his nose he noted, "A nice crisp bouquet... Like redfruit,
almost." He made a loud slurping noise as he pulled a sample into his
mouth and then swished it around. "But I think a little too dry for a
toast wine. Is this Master Torahi's submission?"

Ralyen grinned at Fayazel's guess. "That's right again," he said with
a laugh. The Hallmaster had a knack for these things and it was
something he greatly admired. One day he would like to be such an
expert himself.

"Check the menu later. This might go well with one of the evening
meals, but I don't think this should be the signature wine. I think we
need something a little sweeter to satisfy the greater range of tastes."
Though having a few special wines for the feasting would be idea.
"Anything a bit sweeter among the submissions?"

"Yes, yes, we do," Ralyen said thoughtfully as he went over his file.
After a moment he nodded. "Here, Master Yornan's submission should be
more like what you are looking for I think." Going through the
bottles, it took the Journeyman a few moments to locate the correct
wine, but he quickly opened it to pour Fayazel a glass.

"Nice amber color..." Fayazel noted, going through the same process as
before. "A citrusy aroma..." He took a bit in his mouth with a long
slurp. "Hmmm..." he hummed approvingly as he swished it around his
pallet. Swallowing, he allowed the taste to settle in his mouth,
cocking his head to the side in thought. "It's a good candidate, but
there is an almost chemical component to the finish that doesn't quite
sit well with me. Let's mark it a maybe, shall we?"

"Alright, a maybe," Ralyen wrote down with a nod. Looking at his list
thoughtfully, he then picked up another bottle. "This is Journeyman
Lisben's wine. He has always brought in good quality wines so far."
Ralyen hoped Lisben's wine would be pleasing to the Hallsecond, he
really liked the man and knew he did good work. Pouring Fayazel
another glass he handed it to him with care.

"Lisben, eh?" Fayazel scanned it with a critical eye. "It's a nice
pale gold color," he noted before breathing in the aroma. "A kind of a
pleasant flowery fragrance." The master hummed a little as he swished
it around his mouth, nodding a little before spitting it out into the
waiting spittoon and taking a second sip. "Nutmegoid. That's rather
unexpected, but pleasant." He tapped his chin in thought. "I don't
think this will do for the toasting wine, but I think it should
definitely be a featured wine in the Vintner Hall tent. Make a note to
ask him to run possible names by me first. Oh, and I would like a
couple bottles for my private use as well." **Lisben...** That was a
name he would have to remember.

A grin appeared on Ralyen's face when he heard the Hallsecond's praise
of his friend's wine. He would certainly have to tell him that. He
made up a little for the other lousy Journeyman contributions. Jotting
down the notes he had been asked to take, he then looked up from his
list again. "I have to admit we're running a bit low on possible
options, Sir. Perhaps you would like to take a look at the list
yourself?" Ralyen hated wasting the Master´s valuable time.

"No, no," Fayazel said with a wave and a sigh. "I need a break. My
pallet is tired and those sips are starting to effect me, I think." No
matter how much was spit out, some alcohol was absorbed into the system
and he wanted to keep his judgement sharp. "Let's take a break, shall
we?"

"Alright, Sir," Ralyen said with a nod, before he started to gather
the used glasses. Ralyen was quite aware of the importance of the
decisions they were making, important to the Hall at least, so he
could only agree with Fayazel's decision. "I'll make sure everything
gets cleaned up so we can continue later on."

"Yes, after the noon meal should be fine. I don't want to keep this
decision off long, but I'll try every one on that list if I have to."
And he probably would have to. It was essential to get this one right.
"Please tell the kitchen staff I will take my meal in my office. I have
some work to catch up on."

"Will do, Sir," Ralyen said right away, before he headed off to take
away the glasses and bring in fresh one for the second tasting.

Last updated on the January 27th 2012

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Alcoholic Dilemmas