Ashlynn was right, Isabell thought as she sipped the potent thornberry wine Ashlynn poured for her. The flavor was like nothing she'd ever tasted in the Kingdom of Gaal or in the old countries across the sea.
The wine was dry, exceptionally so, with very little sweetness while still possessing a strong flavor of berries picked on a hot summer day. More than just the incredibly dry, fruity flavor, however, there was a vibrant, herbaceous flavor to the wine, as if the berries had been mashed with garden herbs or something slightly lemony before they were set aside to ferment. When she finally swallowed the intensely flavorful wine, it left behind a faint, almost earthy taste like strongly brewed tea while the potent alcohol filled her throat and belly with a pleasantly warm sensation.
"That," Isabell said, staring at the cup in her hand in pleasant surprise. "That is amazing."
