Scenario: You are at a “fancy” wine event and you have just been told that they have put out some “amazing” wine. Everyone starts to taste this “amazing” wine and begins to proclaim that the wine is “Amazing!” You take a sip and… you don’t think it is amazing, in fact, you don’t like it at all! Everyone turns to you, the only outsider to be invited, and begins to ask; “What do you think?”
Last month we talked about how “amazing” our wine scene is here in Pensacola, accessible and fun! I argue that it is true “Wine Country.” I can confidently say that the scenario above DOES NOT describe any of the wine tastings that I have been to locally. That scenario does describe a wine event I was invited to. I was very excited to go; lots of expensive wines with lots of people to talk with about wine. For a wine geek like me, that’s a win! Well, it didn’t exactly turn out that way. There was a lot of expensive wine, and there were some fellow wine enthusiasts there, but we were outnumbered by the kind of people that most folks think attend wine tastings. Wine Snobs.
So how would you answer the question above?
There are only a few “truths in wine.” In Vino Veritas. Truth #1: Don’t be afraid to like what you like! Being genuine and authentic, and true to what YOU are tasting, is the best way to stand your ground in a scenario like the one described here. Everyone has a different tongue, a different palate, so don’t be afraid to like what you like, and be confident in voicing that you didn’t like a certain wine. The key is to be honest with yourself and you will have nothing to fear when everyone else disagrees. Having the words and knowledge to describe what you are tasting definitely helps! You will be surprised when several of the others who first proclaimed that the wine was “amazing” all of a sudden take another taste and denounce it; “well, it really has turned on the second sip.”
One of the other “truths in wine” is that no one knows everything about wine. There are some who do know a lot about wine, and it is marvelous when you find those who enjoy sharing their knowledge in the endeavor of making it a better experience for everyone. It is a great feeling when you can begin to explain why you like that “amazing” wine. I have spoken with a lot of people who don’t come to wine tastings because they think wine tastings are full of wine snobs, or they are going to somehow embarrass themselves because they “don’t know wine.” It’s actually really sad. Not only are our local wine tastings full of really fun and friendly people, delightfully devoid of wine snobs, but we at Gulf Coast Wine will show you how to go toe to toe with any that you may encounter during your wine travels and escapades. There is no reason to be afraid of going to a wine tasting. If you like to drink, not just wine, and like fun people, then you should go and give it a try. The other people there are the same way, out having a good time.
In future articles we will define a “wine lover” and a “wine snob,” discuss a few Rules of Wine, and help you put words to the things you are tasting in that glass. So don’t be afraid to come out and try some wine, you might be surprised by the entire experience!
One of the “truths in wine” is that no one knows everything about wine.
Don’t be afraid to like what you like!
