Est Est Est, Part 1 of 2

(The Italian wine "Est! Est! Est!" got its curious name because 900 years ago a German bishop liked it so much, he drank himself to death.) Those bishop guys in days gone by were deep and subtle thinkers. They knew their scripture -- and no lie - were quite accomplished drinkers. A German prelate of the Church was summoned down to Rome: his servants helped him in his search for taverns ("home from home"). How lucky we, with S.U.V., and motorways, and such: twelfth century was leisurely -- ten miles a day was much! What matter if the sun may grin, and forest flame viridian? To find an inn to shelter in, their keen concern quotidian. Not uninclined to "give it large", unlike before or since, he travelled with an entourage, this spiritual prince. Each morn he'd send a runner off to scout the road ahead, to find a decent Gastenhof, and guarantee a bed. The bishop stout (need we point out?), a man of moral fiber, was quite devout (but there's no doubt, he was a keen imbiber!)