Matthew N asked:
I’m still considered a minor, but I’m very curious about the taste of fine wines. My mother has offered to let me take a sip of what she orders when we dine on special occasions, but I’m not sure.
Drake
I’m still considered a minor, but I’m very curious about the taste of fine wines. My mother has offered to let me take a sip of what she orders when we dine on special occasions, but I’m not sure.
Drake
I wouldn’t do it in public (assuming you’re in the US), but it’s fine. By the time you’re in your mid to late teens, a few sips of wine isn’t going to damage you developmentally. Wine’s tasty, once you get used to it, so I’d say go for it!
Comment by random6x7 — September 25, 2008 @ 8:46 pm
It depends upon your age and your body type. If you’re an average 16-year old, I would say a sip or two would probably be OK, but no more than that.
Drinking wine is common at European tables, and in some countries or cultures even the kids in their teens are allowed to have a small amount of wine at dinner.
Wine is nice and all, but it’s not like you’re really missing anything by waiting until you’re 21, either. Wine will always be there, waiting for you. You don’t need to rush it.
Bon apetite!
Comment by zeebya — September 26, 2008 @ 8:04 am
Are you asking whether it is legally alright or morally alright?
I am assuming you are in the USA. Legally, you might run into some problems. As far as I know, many states have laws on the books that make it ok for a parent or guardian to give alcoholic beverages to their minor children at home or in a private setting. That’s within reason, of course. Giving a 16 year old a full glass of wine is not the same as giving the same glass to a five year old.
However, in a restaurant or other public venue, there might be some issue if some prudish busybody sees it and decides to make a stink about it. If anyone would get in trouble, it would be your mother. You might want to check your local laws.
As far as whether it is morally OK, I think it is. For starters, the 21 year old drinking age is ridiculous and ineffective despite the crap propaganda MADD puts out. When I was in France, young children were allowed to have small glasses of wine (watered down a little) with diner. Many European countries don’t even have drinking ages, yet they seem to do just fine.
So if you can sneak it, I suggest you try it. Fine wine and beers are a pleasure and a fine addition to any good meal.
Comment by Mike D — September 28, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
only if its truly a sip
Comment by William E — September 28, 2008 @ 11:55 pm
my parents allowed my to sip drinks when i was around 16 or 17 and honestly glad they did i have developed more of a sophisticated taste i know some of you will thumb me down but i do let my 16 niece and 13 year old niece sip only one sip for and not in front of the waitstaff it is honestly up to the person they are with for them to make the desegregation if that child can drink or not. i know people will thumb me down for the 13 year but its barely a swallow that she gets. i would say next time she offers take a sip i am not much of a wine person i am more of a mixed drink person
Comment by ladylynx26 — September 30, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
It pretty much depends on your parents.
While other people may talk and look at you funny, legally, if you parent or parents decide that it is OK for you to drink and offer you the drink, it is OK as long as it is in small quantity. A sip is considered small quantity.
From a group of people who value wines, I have had friends who serve their kids small glasses of wine. It is something that is normal for all of us to see our younsters get a taste of wine as part of their education to life. That actually make alcohol less of a taboo – so when they leave home to go to college, alcohol is not so “special”, since they are getting alcoholic beverage at home already.
And when was the last time you worry about what prudish people think of you?
Comment by J — October 3, 2008 @ 2:04 am