By the time you read this column, 2012 will be well underway, but not too far along for me to still wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year. It’s also not too far along to mention a few talking points that I’ve been thinking about.
Don’t worry, I’m not going to launch into anything heavy like politics, the economy or reality TV; I just have a few thoughts to share that will enhance your overall wine experience. I’m sure they will be much more fun than losing weight, paying down credit card debt or getting organized.
Try Something New
I’ll bet many of those ambitious New Year’s resolutions are already a thing of the past, so why not resolve to do something easier — like trying a new wine each month this year. This is a great way to broaden your horizons and increase your wine knowledge.
There are many ways that you can go about doing this. For instance, don’t just stick to one color. If you think you only like red wines, you’re missing out on the many wonderful white wines, and vice versa. Red drinkers, try some flavorful New World Pinot Gris or Gewurztraminer from Alsace; white drinkers, try some light-bodied reds, like Oregon Pinot Noir and French Beaujolais.
Try wines from different countries. Just exploring many varieties of wines from the various wine regions of France could fill out your year. You might even go from country to country.
Also, seek out unfamiliar grape varieties. Arneis and Ribolla Gialla from Italy, Monastrell and Mencia from Spain, Xinomavro from Greece and Gruner Veltliner from Austria are just a few varieties worth searching for. Break out of the same old Cab and Chard rut. You won’t be disappointed.
Write It Down
Let’s say that your friends just shared a bottle of wine with you, and you really loved it. However, the next time you’re in the wine store you remember that wine you really loved … but you can’t remember the name or the grape variety or where it came from.
You start walking up and down the aisles because you’re sure that you’ll remember the label when you see it. However, there are hundreds of different bottles of wine from producers all over the world on the shelves, so the chances that you will ever find that specific wine using this method are not in your favor.
I know I’m about to state the obvious, but very few people bother to do this: Get a small journal that fits easily into your pocket or purse and jot down the country of origin, the producer, the name/grape variety of the wine and the vintage. Even easier, take a picture of the label with your phone. That way, you can go into your wine store and ask for it by name.
In other words, get in the habit of keeping track of what you’re drinking and you’ll really start to get a handle on your preferences, what you like and dislike, and why.
Ignore the Ratings
My heart sinks when I hear the words, “I only buy wines with high ratings.” With all due respect to the people who taste and rate wine for a living — who I’m sure are very knowledgeable — please don’t do this.
The ratings can sometimes be a rule of thumb but, believe it or not, only a small percentage of the wines available to you are rated. That means there are still hundreds of wines of equal or better quality that, for whatever reason, are not rated.
Wine critics are human and their personal tastes will find their way into their write-ups, but remember, they don’t know your palate. A better way to buy is to trust your own tastes or the recommendations of someone at your favorite wine store who knows what you like.
My goal for this article is to get you to be more adventurous, do a little research and experiment with some wines you might not ordinarily try. There are so many great wines out there, and it would be a shame if you didn’t give some of them a chance. You will find some that you really don’t care for, but you also will make some amazing discoveries.
As long as you’re keeping track, you soon will be selecting your wines like a pro. Cheers.
Sam Audia holds a Certification Diploma from the Sommelier Society of America and an Advanced Certificate from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust. He can be reached at sippingwithsam@verizon.net.
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Hi Sam,
Just wanted to comment on your latest article in Bus Monthly. You inspired me to do just what you recommended – try a different grape or blend as often as I can. Life’s too short to keep tasting what we are comfortable with – especially since there are so many new and interesting vintages appearing every year. Cheers to a well-written column. Do you write about local wine tastings, locations, etc.? P.S. just moved here from Denver and discovered your previous articles online – great stuff! Look forward to your next piece.