More on Learning About Wine

Last time we looked at how to get started in learning about wine. And, the best way to learn is by trying. Sure, you could pick up a book or a wine magazine, but those will tell you about wines that others like. The first thing you need to do is to start by discovering your palate - your individual likes and dis-likes.

It’s amazing how many times I come across a real wine lover or wine enthusiast that will only drink white wine, or will only drink red wine or who will only drink a single varietal. And that’s just fine. They’ve found what they like.

But I’m the type that can’t wait to try something different. Just for the experience. Just for the learning experience. So, I say, start tasting wines. And taste lots of them.

When you’re just getting started with wines don’t expect to be able to distinguish subtle aromas or nuances in the wines. Just taste them and give them a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down. And keep some type of records of your tastings. On down the learning road, you’ll actually be able to use your “class notes” to find other wines you might enjoy. Especially if you have a great wine server or a knowledgeable friend. With your notes you can say “I really like Pinot Grigio” and that can open up a whole new set of wines that you’ve never heard about that you just might enjoy.

Learning about wine is a journey and it takes time. So, be patient. Your learning will never end. Mine hasn’t!

Ever Wonder How Best to Learn About Wine?

People have asked me “How did you learn so much about wine?” The simple answer is that I’ve been at it for years. But, for those who are new to wine, I suggest the following:

Reading — Sure, like any subject, you can learn by reading books and magazines. But, I actually suggest holding off on the ‘classroom’ learning and start immediately with a ‘lab’ class. That is, learn by doing.

Wine Tasting — There’s no better way to learn about wine than by tasting. Realize though, you can’t take a crash course. It takes time to learn about wines and to learn your personal preferences. And, for a lot of people who may be used to sweet cocktails, wine often doesn’t taste very good to them at first. So, I suggest starting with sparkling wines or light white wines. But don’t think that a really expensive wine is the best place to start. Start with a pink sparkling wine, a Prosecco or a Cava. Or, a light white wine - a Chenin Blanc, a Sauvignon Blanc, a Grenache Blanc, or a Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris. And, ideally, try more than one wine at a time for comparative purposes. That’s when you can really make headway on the differences in wine.

Splurge on a ‘Good’ wine — Many people who are new to wine tend to look for the $5 bottles of wines. And, there’s nothing wrong with them. But, you’ll also want to periodically wander into the $10 wines and the $15 wines. Again, for comparative purposes. When you are getting started don’t immediately expect that a really expensive wine is going to taste better. Save those for the advanced lab classes.

Continue Expanding the Wines You Taste — After you’ve tried a few light white wines, venture into some more medium-bodied whites: Viognier, Un-oaked Chardonnay, Sémillon or Marsanne. These are going to have a bit bigger flavors. Then, you can expand into a richer white wine such as an oaked Chardonnay.

There’s so much more. So, we’ll continue with more next time. But for now, simply relax and enjoy wine tasting. And remember, there are no wrong answers in wine when it comes to your personal preferences. Cheers!