The Bon Vivant Vs. The Purist: The Joyous Dance of Wine, Food, and Merriment

bon vivant

/bɒ̃ viːˈvɒ̃/

noun

a person who enjoys a sociable and luxurious lifestyle

For some of us, dinner without a glass of wine is akin to watching a movie without popcorn – incomplete. That’s me. My partner on the other hand can’t drink any vino alongside food, I find that criminal. But each to their own I suppose.

Welcome to the wonderful world of the "Bon Vivant’s."

These, like me, are the folks who revel in a symphony of flavours, where each sip of wine harmonises with every bite of food.

We consider wine not just a beverage but a saucy companion to our meal, enhancing the overall dining experience.

To us, wine is like an enchanting waltz, leading the meal across the palate with grace and panache, not to mention it delivers that lovely wine buzz whilst you’re slurping down that oyster or piling your face into a seafood linguine.

Why the focus on wine?

Well, there's something magical about wine that transcends it from being merely a drink. It's an art form, an exploration of regions, a siren song of grapes that can transform a simple dinner into a culinary journey. Whether it's a light Pinot Grigio dancing with a creamy carbonara or a bold Cabernet Sauvignon romancing a juicy steak, wine, when paired right, brings out the symphony in the cuisine.

Now, picture this: A Bon Vivant savouring a plate of cheese and charcuterie, complemented by a crisp Chardonnay, laughing heartily, cheeks flushed a rosy hue from the wine and joy of companionship. Isn't it an image straight out of an Italian movie set?

On the other side of the table, we do have the so called "Purists," those who relish their spirits and booze unaccompanied by a meal.

They'd rather indulge in the singular sensation of getting a bit tipsy, laughing a little louder, and sparking conversation a bit more animatedly. I suppose there’s something uniquely liberating about that too, even though I think they should be locked up or at least sent for ‘Re-education Training’.

For Purists, the act of drinking is an event in itself, not needing the accessory of food. They enjoy the rush, the tingle that starts from the tip of their tongues, traverses their bodies, and lightens their souls, releasing inhibitions. And the best part? The camaraderie that shared intoxication brings, the collective celebration of joy and abandon that echoes in the air long after the party winds down.

Whether you're a Bon Vivant, revelling in the exquisite harmony of food and wine, or a Purist, cherishing the uninhibited joy of a libation-led celebration, the end game is the same: creating memories, sharing laughter, and enjoying the small pleasures of life.

So, the next time you're at a dinner party, raise a toast to the diversity of experiences that food and drink provide us and praise the Bon Vivant’s whilst, I suppose, recognising and respecting The Purists, you can feel sorry for them too.

But no matter how you prefer to enjoy your drink, it's all about the joy of living, of sharing, and celebrating.

So, enjoy, love wine, food, life and obviously your buddies and your boo, with wine and food of course.