Are Sonoma's water fountains filled with Pinot Noir? (via Fray)

If you settled in a wine growing area such as Sonoma,  you might be walking a thin line between having  an educated palate and becoming a sophisticated or sloppy drunk.

The character in Eric Spitznagel story on FRAY, illustrated by John Reddinger falls in the latter category.
Does not know his limits or when he passed them.

Here is an excerpt of Hobo Balls and other things that should not be compared to wine:

“This wine tastes like hobo balls,” I said, loud enough for the entire room to hear. Even as the words left my mouth, I knew that it was a horrible, horrible mistake. It’s not the sort of observation that a civilized person should make, and certainly not while partaking in a posh wine tasting. ¶ The other party guests just stared at me, too stunned to respond. I smiled and tried to laugh it off, saying something like, “Whoops, wrong crowd.” ¶ I hoped that my unfortunate remark would eventually be forgotten, but the damage was done. I’d crossed a line and there was no turning back. I had demonstrated, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I was a man unable to hold his liquor."

In it current incarnation, FRAY is a magazine of good writing, published online and in print quarterly under the loving care of Derek Powazek.

I think it is part of what the Just  Over 50 and Not Dead Yet crowd cares about.

I have seen my share of people behaving badly at the tail end of wine tastings.
Which proves that spitting is the right thing to do sometimes.

I do despise people who have a liquid meal and no money to tip.

Also on Wine and Bad Behavior: Do the Right Tip with a little Help from 'Dinner with a Tightwad'