Wine & Junk Food

[Mike Buckley]

It has been awhile since I have expanded my series of wine photos that depict a theme of incongruity. What could be more incongruous than high-end wine and junk food?

In America and perhaps other parts of the world, Twinkies might be considered the junkiest of junk food. This dessert wine is from Sauternes, a wine region in France known for producing absolutely the most expensive if not also the very best dessert wine. Many people have often joked that the huge amount of preservatives in Twinkies provide them a shelf life that lasts for decades. They are sweet. So like all sweet food, one can easily imagine pairing them with dessert wine, right?


Setup
The tabletop is a floor tile and the background is blue, textured art paper. A medium continuous-light lamp was above the scene in the right rear area. A white reflector on the left side brightens that side of the scene and adds two reflections to the top of the wine glass. A piece of black foam core between the camera and the lamp eliminates flare by preventing the lamp's light from shining directly into the lens. A flash light on the right side lights the background behind the wine.

[Shadowman]

Nice combination of colors and textures, I think the plate reflecting onto the bottle distracts though; however I like how the goblet reflects onto the bottle label.

[DickyOZ]

An interesting combination and well balanced image. The only thing I would change is the banded light blue area above the wine glass, I think that would be less distracting it it was graded to a much darker blue. Alas I've never seen Twinkies around here or a desert Sauterns - it looks almost syrupy (my wife would love both). I always remember Sauterns as very dry and used to love it - mind you I always shopped in the Chateau Cardboard rack when long ago we toured the French wine growing areas as impoverished students.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you to John and Richard!

I like how the goblet reflects onto the bottle label.

I agree. That part of the scene actually gave me an idea for a close-up scene that I eventually want to make.

dessert Sauterns - it looks almost syrupy

I think that's because the relatively dark color compared to other white wines conveys a syrupy texture. Though it's a little thick, it's far from syrupy.

I always remember Sauterns as very dry and used to love it

If you drink a Sauternes by itself, it's very sweet. However, when you drink it with a sweet dessert, the combination definitely makes the wine taste drier, though I have no idea why. I wonder if you're remembering the dry taste in that context.

[LePetomane]

Nicely done. May I suggest White Castle sliders for your next project

[madcrow]

Mike, nice shot you held the white very well not easy to do.

[NorthernFocus]

Your composition and lighting in this one is excellent, Mike. Nicely done.

[Wavelength]

Very nice presentation

[Manfred M]

Mike - I love your sense of humour. I would have thought that Twinkies would work better with an American wine, rather than a French one.

On the other hand, the French seem so serious about their food, I'm not really sure as to what French junk food might be? A baguette with some nice French cheeses?

[bnnrcn]

Very nice presentation Mike . I like everything in the image

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, everyone!

May I suggest White Castle sliders for your next project

There was a White Castle about three blocks from Miami High School in the 1960s. It was a hamburger joint that made the smallest hamburgers I've ever seen -- about two inches square. I don't think I or my friends ever ordered fewer than four hamburgers. The meat patties were frozen when put on the grill and they had four or five holes to allow the steam to escape. I think it was open 24/7 but I wouldn't swear to that. That's the only White Castle I've ever seen and it's no longer there. Thanks for reminding me of it!

Are we talking about the same company? If so, their hamburgers would definitely be a strong contender for my incongruity series, as they might have been the junkiest and fastest of fast food.

[Mike Buckley]

Just a side note: I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned that there is no fork and that the paper napkin has not been used. I would find either comment perfectly acceptable but only if it is written by someone who understandably doesn't fully appreciate the proper etiquette when eating a Twinkie. A Twinkie is so sticky that it's imperative to pick it up in your hand rather than use a fork. Once the Twinkie has been completely eaten, one must wipe one's face with their fingers and then lick one's fingers to get rid of the sticky stuff. Only then is it allowed to put the finishing touches on the task of cleaning up by using the napkin. Moreover, it has to be a paper napkin, as Twinkies don't deserve a cloth napkin.

[Mike Buckley]

I was just now reminded by a good friend that Archie Bunker, a role in the 1970s fictional television show, All in the Family, loved Twinkies. If you are familiar with that role, that makes perfect sense.

[Mike Buckley]

I'm not really sure as to what French junk food might be?

French fries is what comes to my mind.

[Manfred M]

French fries is what comes to my mind.

They don't have French fries in France; they are called "pommes frites", and so far as I know, they don't consider them "junk food". In my experience, the French take their food very seriously, even if we Anglos don't.

[Mike Buckley]

Pommes Frites are the same as French fries. You're right that the French don't consider them junk food. Neither do Americans. Even so, they're junk.

[Dave A]

That's my kind of evening fare. Beautiful lighting.

Dave

[rpcrowe]

That reminds me of the three major food groups... Alcohol, sugar and preservatives

[LePetomane]

Are we talking about the same company?

Yes. Same greasy little hamburgers. Just the thought of them will elevate your cholesterol. If I can make a suggestion for your next project perhaps some White Castle sliders and a can of cheap beer may be in order.

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks, Dave!

That's my kind of evening fare.

Nah. That's breakfast fare.