Thanks for picking up The Tannins & Terpenes Issue of the Leaf!
We began pairing wine and weed in 2011, when one plant was accepted socially as having many varieties, flavors and provenance all related to the terroir, aka the soil, climate, topography and sunlight where the grapes were grown.
The other was illegal.
Before medical Cannabis began highlighting the differences in strains, weed was just weed. Sometimes it was better: sticky, smelly and full of trichomes. Other times it was dry, dusty and came straight from across the border.
But good, bad or ugly, it was simply pot.
In 2010, we started publishing the Leaf, and we quickly realized the power of the plant and the differences between strains we take for granted today. This was a prescientific understanding of Cannabis. There was no THC testing or percentages. We didn’t know that the same common terpene limonene is in both a lemon fruit and in Super Lemon Haze. It’s also the primary ingredient in lemon cleaners, breaking down oil and grease with the power of nature, no synthetic or petrochemicals included.
In 2011, and today, you’d find people who knew that there is a huge world of wine, even if they weren’t connoisseurs or sommeliers. And many of those folks still believe all weed is the same.
So the mission then is as relevant as it is today: to highlight the differences in smell, looks, flavors, experiences and effects that different strains share with us.
With several years of sobriety from alcohol under my rapidly shrinking belt (I stopped counting after three years), I must say that the effects of Cannabis are unique, special and different every time. That can’t be said of a hangover. So we’ve expanded our pairings beyond wine to include sodas, energy drinks, teas and smoothies — because weed goes great with everything!
For those choosing to crossfade with both, know that Cannabis is a neuroprotectant, meaning it helps protect the brain from damage. And those who smoke tend to drink less, so remember this: As with mushrooms, you can always take more, but not less. So sip your brew of choice, hit the bong and thank God that He gave us a plant that heals and delights without a headache the next day.
