My sister Lauren, in Ferrara, Italy, had enough of watching everyone cruise past her on their bicycles so she stopped them for a photo.

Lauren, the center of all attention.  We have a few things in common; we both blog, we’re mostly slim, our conversation is usually teemed with sarcasm (thanks mom) and we both drink wine.

But we’ve come to a crossroads on that last item.  While we both started our drinking back in the 80’s with sweet cocktails I moved over to wine.  Lauren, not the professional I am, didn’t.  She finally gave in and started with White Zinfandel.  A wine that I may not appreciate for its taste, I can certainly appreciate it for introducing so many people to wine.

We both attended Women on Wine events at the local Vino 100.  And while Lauren refused most reds, she did move up to Pinot Grigio.  Her palate was progressing.

But it made me wonder why it stopped there.  I believe that most wine 101 drinkers, unless they are truly studying what’s in their glass, are happy with the wine they have.  But, since their not reading this blog either lets talk about them behind their backs delve a wee bit further.

A person that likes sweet cocktails will like sweet wine.  That makes sense.  The only way to move from a beginner’s palate to a more experienced one is, duh, through experience.  (Tastings, events, classes, reading this blog and hanging out with moi.)

So if you are wondering why you only love Cabs or Zins I would bet you have palate rut.  Not only are you having only something you are used to, you are denying your palate rich experiences…experiences you should be thirsty for.

I’ve been asked many times about my favorite wine, or varietal.  I feel like it’s a test, or a benchmark, and I really have to think about it.  Was it the discovery of a south African Pinotage?  The first time I had a vintage Champagne?  Or that Argentinean Bonnardo?  My answer has never been a straight one.

Of course I have wines that I remember loving.  But unless the weather and the winemaker are there year after year, I’m not.

My palate loves a change.  Every. Single. Day.  And Lauren?  What will she get on her birthday?  Cold. Hard. Cash.  And I can bet she won’t be spending it on wine.  That’s my job.