Drops of God, Vol. 18

神の雫 #18

by Tadashi Agi, Shū Okimoto (Artist)

At a chalet near Mt. Fuji, Shizuku and Issei square up for the final Fifth Apostle competition. Shizuku, guided by his friend and partner Andreas to the top of the Matterhorn, is convinced the wine he opened afterward is the Apostle. Issei, meanwhile, challenged the peak solo and vanished into a roaring blizzard. Will he or his rival manage to conquer this lofty challenge?

Genres: Manga, Comics, Wine

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 21, 2008

About the author

Tadashi Agi, 亜樹直, is the penname of Yuko and Shin Kibayashi, a sister and brother team of Japanese manga storywriters. Shin Kibayashi also uses the pseudonyms Seimaru Amagi and Yuya Aoki.

Reviews

[Sanford Chee · Rating 4 out of 5]

#169-178 Unveiling of 5th Apostle the Matterhorn = 2000 Michel Colin - Deleger Chevalier-Montrachet GC
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drops_o...

#169 The graceful white peak revived
Battle for the 5th Apostle
Shizuku chose a wine = Mt Blanc, the grandest peak of the Alps rather than the Matterhorn
2000 Marc Colin Montrachet GC. I just scanned it with the Vivino app. https://www.vivino.com/wines/2715061?...
Shizuku mistook this for the Matterhorn when Andy offered it to him af the climb coz Issei who reached the peak bf him was drinking this wine & Shizuku smelt it through the blizzard!

#170 the stern yet gentle voice
Issei Tomine's choice for the 5th Apostle: a wine rugged enough to turn away anyone approaching it carelessly. Overwhelming minerals, sharp, craggy, almost painful, not like the rounded inviting minerals of Montrachet (Mt Blanc) = 2000 Michel Colin - Deleger Chevalier-Montrachet GC
Check out this wine. I just scanned it with the Vivino app. https://www.vivino.com/wines/2776226?...

#171 a friend always by wine's side
Taittinger Nocturne: Consolation champagne for Shizuku af he lost 5th Apostle challenge. Champage w/ a twinge of sadness to it, like a blond woman. An evening tryst.
Check out this great Wine from Taittinger. I just scanned it with the Vivino app. https://www.vivino.com/wines/1468829?...

1994 = 1st vintage of this Viognier. Apricot, tropical fruit, pineapple. Like a Topaz gem.
Drops of God vol.18 #171 a friend's by wine side
Check out this great Viognier from E. Guigal. I just scanned it with the Vivino app. https://www.vivino.com/wines/7465353?...

Division chief Kawarage's treat. Pigeon blood, end of summer, dark grassy field, a plate bursting w/ fruit & blazing red of sunsets =>evocative of Ken Done painting parrots. A wine that consoles you & helps you move fwd for a fresh start.
Check out this 1997 Wine from Tenuta Luce. I just scanned it with the Vivino app. https://www.vivino.com/wines/1400276?...

#172 a quiet bloom in the shade
President Takasugi had this 💯 1994 Harlan Estate at a matchmaking dinner for his son Ryo w/ a hotel heiress
Check out this great Wine from Harlan Estate. I just scanned it with the Vivino app. https://www.vivino.com/wines/1344969?...

#173 softly unfurling wings of blue
Story dedicated to biochemist & oenologist Takatoshi Tominaga 1955-Jun 2008
Moegi nailed the blind tasting w/ her description which cuts to the v heart of this koshu wine: an introverted sort of feel, like you're keeping yourself v small. Like a budding yellow rose still ambivalent abt showing its bloom, so it opens a bit still bathed in the evening due - making you want to hold out for the small roses to fully bloom.
Check out this koshu from Château Mercian. I just scanned it with the Vivino app. https://www.vivino.com/wines/5044459?...

#174 the wine quintet called life
5 apostles pairing w/ food at Mishima's & Guillemard's wedding
1/ Opening to life expressing a quiet prelude: 2001 Georges Roumier Les Amoureuses paired w/ flan w/ scallops & mushroom sauce
2/ Yezo sika venison carpaccio w/ a petite oignon confit & truffles + mother's kindness 1999 Château Palmer. Life 1st begins in mother's womb.
3/ Spicy roast + inscrutable sweetness 2000 Pegau CDP Cuvee da Capo =>father’s warm hands welcoming a child to the family
4/ Honey & green apples sorbet + nostalgic 1994 Lafleur = 1st ❤️
5/ Sole + Matterhorn 2000 Michel Colin-Deleger Chevelier Montrachet representing the trials of life, the achievements & joys tt follows af surmounting challenges
=>12 Apostles are abt a person's journey through life

#175 swept in the great wind of the mainland; #176 the pale foe lurking at the great table
Jap food w/ Burg pairing: Chambolle Musigny, Vosne Romanee & Whites eg Meursault
Wine pairing w/ Chinese food ❌️MSG (Chinese restaurant syndrome = loss of taste coz MSG dulls & numbs your palette)

#177 connected to the land beloved by God
Chinese stir fry w/ garlic & oyster sauce pair w/ 🇮🇹🍷

#178 Mediterranean winds easily besting the wall
Unknown vintage Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia Colonello. Bussia is an historical vineyard in the village of Monforte d'Alba and the first Cru of Barolo to be officially labeled, along with Rocche di Castiglione, in 1961. Bussia represents one of the most prestigious vineyards not only of Monforte but of the entire Barolo area.
Check out this great Wine from Aldo Conterno. I just scanned it with the Vivino app. https://www.vivino.com/wines/15458291...

Stir fried shrimp w/ sea salt pair w/ 2006 Donnafugata Vigna di Galbri. Seaside terrace in a glass. Oolong tea & jasmine.
Check out this great Wine from Donnafugata. I just scanned it with the Vivino app. https://www.vivino.com/wines/8289?utm...

[Carlee Desborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much, I'm reading it on my Kindle so I keep forgetting to update my Goodreads. In my Opinion this could be a bit better but I'm so invested in this I'm given it 5 stars, cause I love it.

[Catherine Bond]

Miam, des dessins de plats chinois... J'ai faim.

[Johnathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't as good as some of the other books.