 What is a vintage?
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, September 1962. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] I Second Secretary Magnan took his green-lined cape and orange-feathered beret from the clothes tree. "When I first came here, the Manpower Utilization Directorate, Division of Libraries and Education was a shambles. "The Bogans have launched no less than four military campaigns in the last two decades. They're known as the Hoodlums of the Nicodemean Cluster. Now, perhaps, we shall see them breaking that precedent and entering into the cultural life of the Galaxy." "Breaking and entering," Retief said. But I'm wondering what they'll study on d'Land. That's an industrial world of the poor but honest variety." "Our function is merely to bring them together. I'll leave him to you, Retief," Magnan said. A tall broad man with bronze skin and gray hair, wearing tight trousers of heavy cloth, a loose shirt open at the neck and a short jacket, stepped into the room. "You work for this Culture bunch, do you? The wine crop is just about ready. Now I don't know if you're familiar with the Bacchus vines we grow...?" "Bacchus vines are an unusual crop," he said, puffing the cigar alight. "Only mature every twelve years. In between, the vines don't need a lot of attention, so our time's mostly our own. Apples the size of a melon—and sweet—" "Sounds very pleasant," Retief said. We've turned all the land area we've got into parks and farms. "It sounds like it, Mr. Arapoulous. Just what—" "Call me Hank. We've got long seasons back home. Five of 'em. Our year's about eighteen Terry months. Cold as hell in winter; eccentric orbit, you know. Blue-black sky, stars visible all day. Lots of skiing, bob-sledding, ice skating; and it's the season for woodworkers. Our furniture—" "I've seen some of your furniture," Retief said. "All local timbers too. That's the music-writing season. You have the music and the surf and the bonfires and stars—we're close to the center of a globular cluster, you know...." Autumn's our harvest season.
 The time of year that wine grapes are harvested.
 The anniversary of Lovenbroy’s independence.  The time of year that Lovenbroy switches to making music as their primary occupation.  The time of year that wine grapes are harvested.  The time of year that children are born.