Echo arrives with two empty wine glasses and a bottle of wine in his other hand. Following the pale are our wine glasses.

"Manufactured over a century ago, and extremely uncommon," Echo proudly proclaims, opening the cork and gently pouring it into mine and David's cups. 

David snatches the cork from Echo and stashes it in his "Thanks." I say, cheerfully beaming. In the icy pale, Echo shakes his head. "Your meal will be ready soon." It's time to order at another table.

I peek at my wine glass before David.

David sighs, takes up the drink and swirls it twice before taking a sip. The fermented liquid has made...