ESL Podcast 326 – Finding the Right Wine

Antonio: Why are we stopping here?

Melanie: We can’t go to the dinner party empty-handed. We need to bring a bottle of wine.

Antonio: I don’t know anything about wines. You’ll need to pick a bottle.

Melanie: I don’t know much about wines, either. I just know we need a good table wine. Do you think we should get a bottle of white, red, or rosé?

Antonio: I don’t know.

Melanie: The label on this one says that it’s fruity and not too tart¹. This other one says that it’s full-bodied, but I think we want a light-bodied one, right?

Antonio: I have no idea.

Melanie: The label on this one says that it’s from a California vineyard. Is that good or bad?

Antonio: I don’t know. Stop asking me. Here’s a corkscrew. Why don’t you take out the cork² and we’ll have a taste?

Melanie: That’s very funny. You’re not helping³ me at all.

Antonio: I say we just bring them a six-pack. I know I’d rather have beer than wine any day.

Melanie: Stop fooling around. We need to pick out a bottle of wine.

Antonio: I have an idea. Let’s bring them a bottle of champagne⁴. You can’t go wrong with champagne.

Melanie: Champagne? It’s not a special occasion.

Antonio: We’ll tell them that being invited for dinner in their home is a special occasion for us. They’ll be happy to hear that.

Melanie: I don’t know about that.

Antonio: Trust me. Grab a bottle and let’s go. We’re late!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 tart   

adj.酸的；尖酸的，刻薄的；n.果馅饼；淫妇

参考例句：

• She was learning how to make a fruit tart in class.她正在课上学习如何制作水果馅饼。
• She replied in her usual tart and offhand way.她开口回答了，用她平常那种尖酸刻薄的声调随口说道。

2 cork   

n.软木，软木塞

参考例句：

• We heard the pop of a cork.我们听见瓶塞砰的一声打开。
• Cork is a very buoyant material.软木是极易浮起的材料。

3 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

4 champagne   

n.香槟酒；微黄色

参考例句：

• There were two glasses of champagne on the tray.托盘里有两杯香槟酒。
• They sat there swilling champagne.他们坐在那里大喝香槟酒。