
The Crush
Budding Wine Connoisseur's Knowledge of Proper Glassware Fails to Impress Parents
Despite excitedly pointing out the difference between a flute and a tulip glass at a family lunch...
Cristaldi & Co · September 4, 2025
Despite excitedly pointing out the difference between a flute and a tulip glass at a family lunch, budding wine connoisseur Jake Hotchkin’s genuine thirst for knowledge in the realm of proper wine glassware failed to impress his parents.
“A glass is a glass. Why do you need to give them all different names?” Asked Hotchkin’s father, Ken.
Noting that their son has always had a curious mind and a love for learning, Hotchkin’s parents nevertheless couldn’t figure out exactly how to empathize with his enthusiasm, nor did they know how to add to the conversation.
“Does this mean we need to buy all those glasses?” Asked Hotchkin’s mother, Pam, her eyebrows arched. “I don’t drink that stuff anyway. I’m more of an Arizona Iced Tea gal.”
Despite Hotchkin’s authentic delight at recounting how glasses with wide bowls enhance the aromatic qualities of the wine-drinking experience and how thinner glasses help Champagne bubbles last longer, he was met only with some cursory nodding from the two people nearest and dearest to his heart, whose love and acceptance he cherishes more than anything.
“It’s good to have a hobby,” said Hotchkin’s father, shrugging his shoulders. “You seem like you’re having fun, and that’s all that matters.”
As their lunch was seemingly coming to a close, Hotchkin’s father suddenly broke into a twenty-five-minute rave about the Gary Oldman Apple TV+ show “Slow Horses,” a program he can’t believe Hotchkin hasn’t seen yet.
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