1. “I don’t have the time.”
Let’s see, you’re at dinner with more than one person and you figure out that purchasing a bottle is less expensive than buying by the glass. You just spent time doing the math but not in choosing the wine? Puh-lease. You’re spending time reading this blog…you HAVE the time.
2. “I’m too old/young.”
Check out the group that welcomed me into their circle pictured above. The Enotech Hipsters were smart, warm and had a way with wine descriptors I can only compare to our fellow-blogger, Risque Sommelier. All of us have a unique relationship with wine; non of which has to do with our age. Life is too short to be intimidated by something we each can make our own.
3. “I’d have to join a group.”
It’s true that if you got just as far as Googling “Learn about Wine” you’d find the Learn about Wine website. Not a bad place to start. But once you Google, or just talk to a friend, you will find like-minded souls such as yourself to learn about wine with, not just from. It’s your choice. I bought a bottle at 21 because I liked the label, it’s something I learned on my own – never to do again.
4. “I don’t like the crowds in Napa.”
Gee, there are OTHER places than Napa to go to. You can make a reservation for the winery you want and avoid the crowd or tour. And, of course, you even have tastings being offered in liquor stores, co-operatives (more than one winery being poured at a wine bar in a wine area) and the many local wine bars.
5. “They’re all a bunch of snobs.”
Being a wine 101er I was intimidated the first couple of times I met with people that knew far more than I did. What was interesting was that they appreciated my passion and interest. None, and I mean none, made me feel inadequate when I guessed something incorrectly. The key? Don’t be snobbish yourself.
6. “Just not interested.”
Fine. Why are you here? Maybe you’d like to be able to order wine in a restaurant once in your lifetime? Years ago, and I’m talking over 15, a friend of mine invited me to a Screen Actor’s Award dinner. I had forgotten my eyeglasses and was embarrassed not to be able to recognize anyone. Then he announced to the table that I was a wine expert and I was asked to choose the wine for dinner. I perused the list, with my near-sighted eyes, and settled on…no clue now…and they loved it. I heard about this from my friend for years to come, how his boss was there and he had loved the wine too. Here I thought I was the Dweeb of the evening but was able to salvage some self-respect because of my wine knowledge.
7. “I never keep it around long enough to learn.”
That’s fine as that’s how California wine marketing people know what to put on our shelves: anything with a 20 minute aging time. Wine consumers don’t always “lay things down” or cellar their wines. And I believe some of the wines we buy, like high alcohol Zins, are made just for immediate consumption.
8. The labels are far too confusing.”
Well, if you’re taking Italian or French I’d have to agree. But look around and you will find classes offered that can help. As will your neighborhood wine bar or wine store proprietor. They bought the stuff so they ought know what it is. You don’t have to know everything.
9. “I don’t want to get drunk.”
This is a good thing. There aren’t that many people with the goal of getting drunk that enjoy the nuances of wine. I’m too busy smelling, swirling, rolling over my tongue and tasting. Then I’m too busy talking to my friends about the wine, photographing the label to remember it later and, lets see….blogging about it for you. Want to get drunk? Drink the pour-out bucket at a tasting because, if that’s what your after, it wouldn’t matter what was in it.
10. “I don’t know where you live to get to your cellar”.
Make friends with me on Facebook. It will get you that much closer.
Good post, Eve.
A client of mine recently asked me how he can best learn about wine, specifically what would best suit his palate. Since he lives too far to schlep up here to All Corked Up, I suggested he go to his local wine bar [they are everywhere now] and just try a bunch of things, see what he likes, and ask the servers what other wines have similar flavors.
I also realized, after posting this, for people that don't want to deal with the mobs in Napa (#4) that there are services that provide tastings in your home! It's one way to get started!
Hi Eve,
Enjoying your posts as always! Thank you for the Hipster Enology shout out.
Jesse 🙂
Everytime I write "Hipster Enology" I feel good. Maybe the Hipster verbiage will rub off on me!