By Keith Kellett

Since English isn’t the first language in Tunisia, I thought it might be a prolific hunting ground for my Silly Signs, which I collect, photograph and occasionally post in my blog (see information below). No such luck. The only one I saw was from a bus, and we were gone before I could photograph it.

My luck changed later when we were passing through a Berber village.  I saw a restaurant promising “Authentic Barbaric Food.” Well, the two words come from the same root, anyway!

But, we didn’t have to stray far from food to finally find something. One night, we went to a “Traditional Tunisian Banquet.” where wine was served.

Now, although Tunisia is a Muslim country, alcohol is readily available, and, in fact, beer and wine are produced in country. Grapes for wine are grown in Tunisia, rather than them making wine from imported grape concentrate, as they sometimes do elsewhere. The centre of wine production is at Mornag, a little way to the south of Tunis. They produce reds, whites and rosés, and the result is … well, I wouldn’t go out of my way to seek any, but I’ll drink it if it’s offered.

I do think they might have been a little more careful with the name, though! As Oliver Hardy might have said:

“This is another Vin de Mess you’ve gotten me into, Stanley!”

Keith can be reached at Keith@globalfoodie.com. To see more of his work visit his blog: travelrat.wordpress.com/