With the position of women in society remaining high on the political agenda, I have been considering the key part that women, and what they drink, have played both as authors, and as significant fictional characters, in some of our most famous works of literature.
This is in part because 2018 is a momentous year. Not only does it mark the 100th anniversary of WW1, it is has also been 100 years since women gained the vote in Great Britain.
In 1918, as a result of the Representation of the People Act, passed on 6th February, women over the age of 30 gained the vote, provided they, or their husband, met a property qualification.
One of the key reasons for the necessity of an Act to reform the electoral system was that during WW1 millions of returning soldiers were not entitled to the vote because of property and residential qualifications. The Act also instituted the present system of holding general elections on one day, and brought in the annual electoral register. The changes brought about by the Act saw the size of the electorate triple from 7.7 million to 21.4 million; women accounted for about 43% of the electorate.
However, we still did not have equality, men could vote from the age of 21. The 30-year-old age requirement for women was to ensure that women did not become the majority of the electorate, due to the loss of men during the war.
Later in 1918 the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act was passed on 21 November, allowing women to stand for Parliament, and on 14thDecember 8.5 million women were eligible to vote in a general election for the first time.
I Bring An Unaccustomed Wine, Emily Dickinson
Dickinson often uses alcoholic descriptions, in her poems, not to praise and celebrate drinking, but to convey hidden messages to her readers; as in this poem, which begins
‘I bring an unaccustomed wine
To lips long parching, next to mine,
And summon them to drink.’
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
This tale of murder, intrigue and deception is awash with food and drink references throughout. Well, what else is there to do on a long train journey?
In it, Mrs Hubbard sips an alcoholic beverage, as the train’s doctor insists she drink brandy after her fainting fit in the dining-car. It certainly seems to do the trick…
“A few minutes later she was sitting up, sipping cognac from a glass proffered by the attendant, and talking once more.”
The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald
At a time when Prohibition was in full swing, this novel, is absolutely drenched in alcohol. Gatsby’s party guests are spoilt for choice. It is during a row in a hotel room between Daisy, Tom and Gatsby that the mint julep, makes its appearance. Daisy tells her husband, “I’ll make you a mint julep – then you’ll seem less stupid to yourself”.
The notion originated with Daisy’s suggestion that they hire five bathrooms and take cold baths…. “a place to have a mint julep.”
I well recall my first mint julep, at The Kentucky Derby in the 1990s. It is simply, bourbon, mint muddled with sugar, and water. Serve very cold.
Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen
The importance of shared meals is evident throughout works by Austen, as we observe countless banquets, dinners, and family breakfasts at which haunches of roast venison, puddings, sweetmeats, and other delicious morsels are enjoyed.
Warm-hearted Mrs Jennings presses upon broken hearted Marianne Dashwood sweet Muscat wine from Constantia; a drink that is mentioned frequently throughout Austen’s work and sure the revive flagging spirits.
The launch of Vin de Constance by the Jooste family in 1986 marked the revival of this legendary 18th-century dessert wine. Made from late-picked Muscat, its intense sweetness, almost toffee-like, is offset by a citric freshness.
Klein Constantia, Vin de Constance, Constantia, 2013 13.5%abv. Is available at a whopping £52 for 50cl.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Truman Capote
Class in a glass, Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly glides through New York society, allowing wealthy men to escort her to clubs and restaurants, spoiling her with money and expensive gifts. She soon introduces her neighbour to the pleasure of early morning bubbly.
“I don't think I've ever drunk champagne before breakfast before,” he tells her. “With breakfast on several occasions, but never before-before.” A woman after my own heart.
Nothing but the best will do, so it has to be Louis Roederer Cristal 2009, 12%abv. This iconic blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is available for around £160 a bottle. A mere snip.
What we eat and drink, and where and with whom we chose to do so, can leave an indelible mark on our memories.
With Mother’s Day coming up in March, why not think of something special to do, so that in years to come mum will sit back and say ‘I remember where I was when I first drank…..’
Better still, seek out a wine made by one of the up and coming female winemakers. Girl power in a glass. Go on, give her something unique to look back on.
This is in part because 2018 is a momentous year. Not only does it mark the 100th anniversary of WW1, it is has also been 100 years since women gained the vote in Great Britain.
In 1918, as a result of the Representation of the People Act, passed on 6th February, women over the age of 30 gained the vote, provided they, or their husband, met a property qualification.
One of the key reasons for the necessity of an Act to reform the electoral system was that during WW1 millions of returning soldiers were not entitled to the vote because of property and residential qualifications. The Act also instituted the present system of holding general elections on one day, and brought in the annual electoral register. The changes brought about by the Act saw the size of the electorate triple from 7.7 million to 21.4 million; women accounted for about 43% of the electorate.
However, we still did not have equality, men could vote from the age of 21. The 30-year-old age requirement for women was to ensure that women did not become the majority of the electorate, due to the loss of men during the war.
Later in 1918 the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act was passed on 21 November, allowing women to stand for Parliament, and on 14thDecember 8.5 million women were eligible to vote in a general election for the first time.
I Bring An Unaccustomed Wine, Emily Dickinson
Dickinson often uses alcoholic descriptions, in her poems, not to praise and celebrate drinking, but to convey hidden messages to her readers; as in this poem, which begins
‘I bring an unaccustomed wine
To lips long parching, next to mine,
And summon them to drink.’
Murder on the Orient Express, Agatha Christie
This tale of murder, intrigue and deception is awash with food and drink references throughout. Well, what else is there to do on a long train journey?
In it, Mrs Hubbard sips an alcoholic beverage, as the train’s doctor insists she drink brandy after her fainting fit in the dining-car. It certainly seems to do the trick…
“A few minutes later she was sitting up, sipping cognac from a glass proffered by the attendant, and talking once more.”
The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald
At a time when Prohibition was in full swing, this novel, is absolutely drenched in alcohol. Gatsby’s party guests are spoilt for choice. It is during a row in a hotel room between Daisy, Tom and Gatsby that the mint julep, makes its appearance. Daisy tells her husband, “I’ll make you a mint julep – then you’ll seem less stupid to yourself”.
The notion originated with Daisy’s suggestion that they hire five bathrooms and take cold baths…. “a place to have a mint julep.”
I well recall my first mint julep, at The Kentucky Derby in the 1990s. It is simply, bourbon, mint muddled with sugar, and water. Serve very cold.
Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen
The importance of shared meals is evident throughout works by Austen, as we observe countless banquets, dinners, and family breakfasts at which haunches of roast venison, puddings, sweetmeats, and other delicious morsels are enjoyed.
Warm-hearted Mrs Jennings presses upon broken hearted Marianne Dashwood sweet Muscat wine from Constantia; a drink that is mentioned frequently throughout Austen’s work and sure the revive flagging spirits.
The launch of Vin de Constance by the Jooste family in 1986 marked the revival of this legendary 18th-century dessert wine. Made from late-picked Muscat, its intense sweetness, almost toffee-like, is offset by a citric freshness.
Klein Constantia, Vin de Constance, Constantia, 2013 13.5%abv. Is available at a whopping £52 for 50cl.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Truman Capote
Class in a glass, Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly glides through New York society, allowing wealthy men to escort her to clubs and restaurants, spoiling her with money and expensive gifts. She soon introduces her neighbour to the pleasure of early morning bubbly.
“I don't think I've ever drunk champagne before breakfast before,” he tells her. “With breakfast on several occasions, but never before-before.” A woman after my own heart.
Nothing but the best will do, so it has to be Louis Roederer Cristal 2009, 12%abv. This iconic blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is available for around £160 a bottle. A mere snip.
What we eat and drink, and where and with whom we chose to do so, can leave an indelible mark on our memories.
With Mother’s Day coming up in March, why not think of something special to do, so that in years to come mum will sit back and say ‘I remember where I was when I first drank…..’
Better still, seek out a wine made by one of the up and coming female winemakers. Girl power in a glass. Go on, give her something unique to look back on.
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