Drink how you want…(a philosophy)
Hi again, thanks for coming back. This blog post will be the start of a series, so if you see “philosophy(s)” in the title, it's part of this series. I think making it plural is necessary, philosophies…because it is difficult to give you one succinct message and I have never actually thought through them and attempted to put them in writing, in one place, until now.
First things first, I have developed all of these thoughts and feelings over the last 10 years of being engaged in the wine/beverage industry. And just like scientists who change a theory based on new findings, I too keep an open mind about wine and my thoughts may change based on new information. That is to also say that these are MY thoughts, feelings and opinions, backed up by continued learning!
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Guest: “I know you might judge me for this, but can I have some ice for my wine”
Me: “Of course you can! No judgment here, drink your wine however you like, as long as you are drinking wine, I stay employed!"
This interaction happens all the time! Ego in relation to wine will be discussed many times over the course of my ramblings, but this one always gets me. Yes, wine has a pomp and circumstance about it, with perceived rules for its enjoyment, but none of them matter if they keep you from enjoying a glass of wine. With ice, in a solo cup, out of a box, it does not matter. To the professionals in the room, if we continue to reduce those who drink wine casually, the industry will continue to fall and the only people left to serve will be those who can afford the ever climbing Napa Valley wines. Gross!
When it comes to ice in your wine, all you are doing is diluting it. Flavors will still come through, the alcohol will feel lighter, of course it will cool things down too. You won’t be able to accurately perceive tannin (if it's red), acidity, or body, but who cares, it's not like you're trying to pass a blind tasting exam. We can even talk about how the ancient Greeks would purposely water down their wine because to become intoxicated was taboo. So really if you add ice to your wine, you should judge everyone who isn’t diluting their wine for becoming intoxicated, how uncouth!
Lets talk about those sulfite removers too. You know the wands you can stick in the glass or the filters you can pour through that claim to make a difference. Go for it! If it makes you feel better and enhances your enjoyment of a glass of red wine I am all for it. Do I think they make a difference…no…but I have also done some more research and understand sulfites, the occurrence of headaches, and a myriad of other topics. But you can count on the fact that I will not give you a lecture about any of it. I will gladly pour the wine through the filter you pulled out of a bag (God knows what you had in there). What I will ask is that you not feel the need to defend your use of the sulfite removal device, how it works, and why everyone should be doing it. Rather we can just talk about how great the wine is going to taste or how your favorite sportsball team is doing!
At the end of the day, how you enjoy your wine is up to you, and is valid. No one should feel lesser when trying to enjoy a beverage. If you are ever in my presence I will never presume you don’t know something about wine. I will talk through wines you ordered or brought or are looking for as if you know the basics. As I do, you are welcome to nod along and take or leave whatever you like from the conversation. However, if you take the opportunity to ask questions, or stop me when I hit a topic of uncertainty, I will take the opportunity to do what I love most, and teach. I will walk you through the how, what, when, where and why!