Women are like wine: strong, spirited, full bodied
Women are like wine: strong, spirited, full bodied, intoxicating, and potent. And we never cease to surprise.
Shefali Shah, actress of depth and voice of truth, once declared with radiant confidence: “Women are like wine: strong, spirited, full bodied, intoxicating, and potent. And we never cease to surprise.” In this metaphor, she elevates womanhood beyond shallow praise, likening it to wine—ancient, revered, and alive with hidden power. For like wine, women grow richer with time, their essence deepening, their presence commanding, their spirit impossible to ignore.
The origin of her words springs from the world of cinema, where Shah carved her place not through youthful glamour alone, but through talent that matured and flourished with age. In a society quick to revere women when they are young, she stood to remind the world that a woman’s worth does not diminish with years; it intensifies. Like a vintage cask, she becomes full-bodied, layered, and rare, capable of surprising those who thought they already knew her.
History offers many mirrors to this truth. Consider Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, whose wit and political genius captivated empires as surely as her beauty. She was intoxicating not only for her appearance, but for her courage, intellect, and daring, which even Rome could not wholly conquer. She proved, as Shah declares, that women are not simple vessels to be admired but potent forces to be reckoned with, surprising friend and foe alike.
So too in the lives of artists and leaders across ages. Maya Angelou, poet and voice of a people, grew ever more powerful as time ripened her words. Her art, like fine wine, carried weight, spirit, and an intoxicating truth that stirred generations. She, like so many women, was not diminished by time but magnified by it—her strength a testament to Shah’s metaphor.
Therefore, O seekers of wisdom, remember this lesson: do not mistake womanhood for fragility, nor believe her spirit wanes with years. Women are wine—they carry strength, spirit, and surprise within them. To dismiss them is folly, to underestimate them is ruin. For their presence can heal as surely as it can intoxicate, and their power only deepens with time. In their strength lies the vintage of life itself, endlessly surprising, endlessly potent.
NMTran Thao Nguyen Mai
Shefali Shah’s words certainly capture the dynamic and vibrant essence of women. I love the idea of women being strong and full of spirit, always capable of surprising others. But I wonder—do we, as a society, sometimes only celebrate these qualities when they’re used to serve certain roles or expectations? Can women truly surprise without being held to certain standards of power or beauty?
YVThai Thi Yen Vy
This quote beautifully highlights the power and unpredictability of women. Like wine, women have depth and richness that’s often underestimated. However, I’m curious—does comparing women to something like wine unintentionally play into the stereotype of women being mysterious or complex in a way that isn’t always seen as beneficial for equality?
KKNguyen Kim Khanh
The idea of women being like wine makes sense in many ways, as they often defy expectations and display resilience. It feels empowering to think of women as potent and full of surprises. But at the same time, does this comparison pressure women to always be ‘full-bodied’ or ‘intoxicating’? Is it fair to hold them to such high standards all the time?
BCVi Thi Bao Chinh
This quote celebrates the multifaceted nature of women, comparing them to wine in such a powerful way. It’s a beautiful metaphor that captures the strength, complexity, and surprising qualities of women. However, can this comparison also risk oversimplifying or idealizing women’s roles? Shouldn’t there be a more nuanced perspective on how women are perceived in society?