|
|
YOU ARE A WINE EXPERT AND DON'T EVEN KNOW IT...YET!Jul 06 '00 (Updated Jul 28 '00) Write an essay on this topic.Let me tell you right off the bat that I'm a wine expert. It's true! You are too but you don't even know it yet! How can this be? Easy...no one knows better than you what you enjoy and what you don't enjoy. And although I consider ratings by Parker and Wine Enthusiast a great place to start...they are not the "be all" and "end all" that I thought they were when I first started discovering wines. Believe me there have been highly rated wines that I loved, and ones I thought tasted like dirty dish water. It's all a matter of your personal taste, so you are your own expert. That being said, where do you start? I mean how do you begin to determine what types and brands of wine to buy? Well, wine is one of those things that the more you personally experience, the more you will know. Although this is not a bad thing, it can be hard sometimes to get started. Here's just three ways you can easily begin to determine your likes and dislikes: 1. Local Wine Shop... When I first decided that purchasing good wine was going to be a pursuit of mine, I went to my local Wine Shop and asked if the owner or someone knowledgeable was available. I was honest and told him flat out, "I like wine very much, but I don't know the first thing about picking out something that I'll enjoy...can you help me?" Well, you would think that he had just struck gold or something by the way his face lit up! He was incredibly nice and patient with me. He asked me some important questions like...price range, preference with white or red wine, dry or sweet, and did I plan to be drinking this wine with a meal and if so what was it, etc. In no time at all he had two or three recommendations, which I found, were quite good. On subsequent visits, I filled him in on what I thought about each of his selections. And based on my honest assessments, he had even more recommendations for me. Later on it became more like, "Dennis, I just got this in and people are raving about it...I'd think you'll really like it!" Did I absolutely love everything he helped me with? No, but he did give me a great starting point. If your local wine merchant is not willing to spend the time to help you decide on something that's right for you...ask if there's a more convenient time to come back or just go to another shop. 2. Wine Club... Although not as effective as speaking to a person, a wine club can be a great way of finding types, varietals, and brands that you will enjoy. For one fixed price every month you'll automatically receive two or three of the club's selections. You can set up certain clubs to send just white wine or red wine, as well as alternating between the two. Also notable is the fact that everything they send you is available for sale at "club prices". So far, my experience with wine clubs has been a positive one. I've tried wines from all over the world, not just one country or region. I've had brands, and varietals that I've never heard of, or would ever think to buy at a store. Also, the better club that I belong to provides prepared information sheets on each of your selections and a binder to put them in. Everything you could possibly want to know about the wine, it's origin, grape variety, tasting notes, maturity, serving suggestions, and background of the winery itself are clearly presented on the sheet. This way you're learning a lot as you're enjoying your club selections. For instance, just from casual reading I now understand the similarities and differences between the Syrah grape from the Rhone Valley in France, California's Petite Sirah, and Australia's Shiraz. This understanding will now help me make better choices for myself. Plus, there's the surprise factor. You don't know what you'll be receiving from month to month, so that's fun! And, all the thought in choosing is done for you. This way your entire thought process can focus on enjoying your selections, and the reasons why you like them. 3. Professional Ratings... Pay some attention to the professional ratings that some wines receive. Does this mean that if a wine is not rated, it isn't any good? Not at all! It just means it's not rated or your local wine merchant did not include the rating in his display. Like I said in the beginning, I used to pay a lot of attention to the professional ratings that wines received, but I've learned that for me, they're not always accurate. For a beginner and even a seasoned expert, the ratings are an important consideration in making your choices but it's not the only consideration. Now, am I a real wine expert? Not in the traditional sense or with the reverence that you would normally equate with the word, "EXPERT". But, I am my own expert. I know what I like and what I don't like. I've tried a lot wines out there; more than some people, and probably a lot less than most. But if I've learned one thing, the most important is this...taste is the most subjective thing out there. Tasting and enjoying great wines is no exception. If you are brand new at this like I was, my advice to you is get out there and jump right in. Don't be afraid if you don't know anything right now. The only people who are afraid are those that are trying to be something they're not. Be yourself and be confident in knowing your likes and dislikes. Don't worry about the wine snobs out there who might look down at you. You can look down at them because they are the ones following the "rules", while you are creating you own! You are about to begin a fun, rewarding, and delicious adventure. In no time at all you can have a cellar full of wines you love, all within your budget. Cheers! P.S. If you'd like information on the two wine clubs that I currently belong to, send me an email. DENNIS  |
| Read all comments (4)|Write your own comment |
|
Ads by Google
|
