Let’s Make Some Wine (short story)
My father (Cologero Alex Crapisi) made wine every year in the fall using the grapes from my grandparents (Tommaso Crapisi) grape vines. From September through early Spring wine grapes and fermenting wine were always part of the smells in our basement.
There were years when the wine was very good! There years when it was absolutely terrible! Same vines, same grapes. I was too young to know anything about it but it was a part of my father’s history.
From picking the grapes, to crushing the grapes, to pressing the grapes and preparing the wine to ferment, everything was done by hand or the crudest of hand tools. No fancy presses.
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Most every night there was wine on the dinner table and my dad usually drank his wine out of a small 6oz juice glass. He filled it half way up and that was usually all he drank. He never drank too much. We were all allowed to drink any time we wanted.
With all of the family gatherings and dinners at home, I do not remember my father or uncles ever drinking to the point that they were not in control. Until I went to college in Wisconsin, I had never seen people who drank with the purpose of getting drunk. It took me a long while to understand it. It is a culture.
When I moved out on my own. I bought a small kit to allow me to make wine. I tried it maybe 2-3 times but just never put much time into it and did not have much success. I stopped and never returned to trying to make wine.
Today in Madison, WI, the Italian Workmen’s Club makes wine every year. I take part and it involves close to 200lbs of grapes from California. It is fun activity to do together. The process is much more controlled. There is a master brewer that has the responsibility of overseeing the process and helping move things along. Much better wine than I have made and a good feeling. The fact you helped with friends is a good feeling.
I have traveled overseas to Sicily. I have been involved with Italian Clubs in 2 different cities here in the United States. I have eaten at numerous family dinners. At every place, the main wine glass is always very similar to the small juice glass like my father had used so many years ago. If filled completely it holds 6 oz max. But most fill it only half full and take their time drinking the 3 ounces of wine. It is part of the culture. It is meant to be enjoyed in moderation. THE END
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Person(s) :
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Cologero Alex Crapisi
1950 -2026
Rockford, IL Plus more
Event/Site :
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Archive :
Sunset Ave. Home
Thomas Crapisi
Short Story