I have adorable twin nieces. As they've gotten older, I can tell them apart by personality (and each helpfully favors either purple or pink), but when they were tiny tots, it wasn't as easy. One birthmark differentiated them and served as my twin detector for many years.
If only Italian wines were as easy. They have this fascinatingly confusing twin situation – two wines labeled Montepulciano [MON teh pool CHAH no]. From two different regions. Made from two different grapes. It's about as mystifying as how identical DNA can produce different personalities. But, like the time when I finally called the twins by the right names, it's satisfying when you learn to appreciate the differences.
This article appears in May 6-12, 2009.