Thank you so much for joining us for our first OFFICIAL episode! Woo hoo! We couldn’t be more excited to be taking this journey with you. As I’m sure you gathered almost immediately, we are not experts! We are just two people who love to drink, love to learn, and really love to talk. In case you weren’t able to diligently take notes on all of the amazing words of wisdom we shared, here’s a short summary of what we covered along with some key tips.
First of all, finding a good wine can be a daunting task. It’s important to remember that most people are NOT truly experts, so just start testing out different wines and have fun with it. Start off by learning about the basic wine varietals (or grapes), such as Chardonnay, Cabernet, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc. These are wines you’ll see all the time at dinner parties and at restaurants.
There are some simple strategies that we use and find helpful such as making a friend in a wine store that can show you the ropes. It never hurts to ask for advice and there is no shame in it. Remember, these people are trained professionals who know their stuff! Also, when you find something you like then learn about it – the kind, region, and flavor profile (bold, light) and anything else notable, such as its elevation, what type of soil the vines were grown in. You’d be surprised at how that affects the flavor of the wine and how that will influence what wines you’ll like down the line!
Unsophisticated Tips:
- Don’t be afraid to ask for advice! – There are experts out there that can help guide you in your search for wine. Use them! Tell them what you’re looking for, or even if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, have a conversation with them and let them lead the way.
- Learn about wines you like! – When you taste something delicious, learn about that wine. You may find that there are qualities in a particular wine that you really like and that can impact your wine choices in the future.
- When you find a wine you love, take a picture of the bottle! – This will help you catalog wines you like and ensure that you don’t forget great wines that you’ve tried.
- DRINK WHAT YOU LIKE!!! – self explanatory (and perhaps the most important tip of all!)
Tune in next week for our episode on How to Choose a Wine. Until next time, drink responsibly!
Cheers!
Marc and Jen
“In wine, there’s truth.”
― Pliny the Elder, Natural History
Information Referenced:
The Unsophisticated Palate 