Some say that art reveals the truth.
So is Confucius wearing a Mona Lisa grin of pleasure in this sculpture at the Dynasty Winery chateau? Well, what's not to enjoy with wine, women and grapes at your feet? (Check out those two voluptuous young maidens, who look like they just flew in from India.)
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| This revealing sculpture of Confucius sits near the production area at Dynasty Winery, one of China's big three wine producers and a joint venture with France's beverage giant, Remy Cointreau. Tianjin, China. |
And it looks as if he is about to enjoy a taste from the wine cup he is holding. (Yes, those of you who were around 2500 years ago would recognize the wine cup.)
Actually a slightly deeper look into the philosopher's actual teachings finds the Dynasty Winery artwork is not far from the mark. In fact, Confucian insights into food and wine from 2500 years ago seem surprisingly contemporary. For example, about culinary and enological practices, he espoused protecting the environment, eating seasonally and drinking in moderation.
Today Confucianism is enjoying an enthusiastic revival in China, even among government officials.
However, from what I see during my visits to the Land of the Dragon, there is one teaching that contemporary Chinese—and foreign visitors—seem to totally ignore.
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| Two Wine educators at Chateau Changyu AFIP Global teach Janis the finer points of drinking wine Chinese style. |
Confucius' call for moderation in drinking seems to be left behind in the empty wine bottle. The Chinese call their style of bottoms up quaffing "ganbei". I've been to dinners where we toasted 20 ganbeis and some had to be carried out.
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| The Chinese call it gānbēi. |
Perhaps the Confucian Mona Lisa-like grin has turned to a look of disgust.
All photographs and text © 2015 Janis Miglavs
www.jmiglavs.com
janis@jmiglavs.com
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