After years of wine drinking, some people's palates become jaded and little excites them anymore. They also don't seek out different wines, electing to drink the same old wines all the time. Still other people become arrogant and pretentious, often primarily chasing after trophy wines, engaging in one-upmanship with their friends. They seek out high-end Bordeaux and Burgundy, California Cabernet and Italian Barolo, and similar such wines. Dining out with such people becomes a competition, with each person seeking to select what they perceive to be one of the best trophy wines on the list.
All of these people see nothing wrong with their behavior, failing to realize they have lost their sense of vinous wonder.
There are people, with the same amount of wine drinking experience, who haven't become jaded or pretentious, who still marvel at wines that aren't trophies, wines which may be inexpensive and more unusual. They get excited about rare grapes, unique wine-making styles, and less common wine regions. These individuals appreciate and understand the allure of trophy wines, the expensive classics, but they don't make them their raison d'être. They find pleasure and wonder in a much wider range of wines, of all price points, of all types, from all regions.
It's usually easy to differentiate those who are jaded or pretentious from those who still possess that sense of wonder. Those who still possesses that wonder will present a new wine, priced under $25, that excites them and you'll see a fire in their eyes and their words will be indicative of their delight. They will be eager to share that wine, to spread their thrill with their friends.
There are people, with the same amount of wine drinking experience, who haven't become jaded or pretentious, who still marvel at wines that aren't trophies, wines which may be inexpensive and more unusual. They get excited about rare grapes, unique wine-making styles, and less common wine regions. These individuals appreciate and understand the allure of trophy wines, the expensive classics, but they don't make them their raison d'être. They find pleasure and wonder in a much wider range of wines, of all price points, of all types, from all regions.
It's usually easy to differentiate those who are jaded or pretentious from those who still possess that sense of wonder. Those who still possesses that wonder will present a new wine, priced under $25, that excites them and you'll see a fire in their eyes and their words will be indicative of their delight. They will be eager to share that wine, to spread their thrill with their friends.
On the other hand, the jaded person might share a similar wine, finding it of interest, but it's obvious they lack a true passion for the wine. It's offered more as intellectual experience, and it might even be compared to higher-end wines, noting its failings compared to those classics. They will likely concentrate more on what they see as flaws in the inexpensive wine, and might even show disdain for it.
We should approach wine as a child approaches life, with an eager curiosity. Like children, we should embrace wonder and be open to new experiences. We should want to explore the diversity of wine, and not simply surround ourselves with "classic," and other expensive wines. For example, at the upcoming Boston Wine Expo, there will be ample opportunity to explore less common wines, and not just the same old wines you drink all the time. If you attend the Expo, or any other large-scale wine tasting event, you should approach it with a child's curiosity.
I want to spend time and share wine with those who still possess their sense of vinous wonder. We can marvel together at the unique, inexpensive wines we find. We can still drink and enjoy high-end, classic wines too but we won't turn up our noses at other wines. We will cherish the diversity of wine, being adventurous and exploring all that exists.
Try to examine your own approach to wine with a critical eye, to determine whether you still possess that wonder or not. If you do, then I strongly advise you to be wary of becoming jaded or pretentious. If you do not, then I highly recommend you make changes to your vinous life. It's never too late to change. If you refuse to change, then you'll lose out on so much.
We should approach wine as a child approaches life, with an eager curiosity. Like children, we should embrace wonder and be open to new experiences. We should want to explore the diversity of wine, and not simply surround ourselves with "classic," and other expensive wines. For example, at the upcoming Boston Wine Expo, there will be ample opportunity to explore less common wines, and not just the same old wines you drink all the time. If you attend the Expo, or any other large-scale wine tasting event, you should approach it with a child's curiosity.
I want to spend time and share wine with those who still possess their sense of vinous wonder. We can marvel together at the unique, inexpensive wines we find. We can still drink and enjoy high-end, classic wines too but we won't turn up our noses at other wines. We will cherish the diversity of wine, being adventurous and exploring all that exists.
Try to examine your own approach to wine with a critical eye, to determine whether you still possess that wonder or not. If you do, then I strongly advise you to be wary of becoming jaded or pretentious. If you do not, then I highly recommend you make changes to your vinous life. It's never too late to change. If you refuse to change, then you'll lose out on so much.
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