Are you serious about wine? Do you check vintage charts and compare those opinions with what’s on the wine list before ordering? Do you inquire about the percentage of wine in new oak for what length of time before planning your menu pairings? Does the lack of precise information about varietal make-up of a particular Bordeaux (or Napa ‘Cab’) cause you distress?
Or are you semi-serious? Do you care about the opinions (known as ‘scores’) of some wine critic who you’ve never met? Do you have very specific opinions about wines that you’ve never tasted (or even heard of)? Does the season dictate your wine choices? Do you subscribe to a wine magazine?
Or, simply, is wine something that tastes good and that you like to share with friends? Do you wish that you knew a bit more about wine, but you’re not really all that interested enough to actually study? Would you like the neighbors to just shut up about their ‘cellar’?
Regardless of your true interest level about wine, or of your true level of knowledge, can we just agree that we should all just calm down?
I truly love wine. And my wine knowledge is pretty good…better than some in the industry, worse than many others. Miles better than almost anyone not in the industry (and that includes ALL the local radio hosts and local columnists, who are embarrassing un-knowledgeable). But my love for and fascination of wine doesn’t require that I take it too seriously. I mean, I take it very seriously professionally. It’s my JOB. Having detailed information about what’s on our shelves and what’s happening in the industry is absolutely required. My customers should (and do) demand that.
However, when I take off my ‘shopkeeper’s’ hat, I have to acknowledge that wine just isn’t that important.
Let’s face it, we’re not saving lives here. There is no perfect wine pairing nor a perfect moment when that bottle you’ve been storing reaches ‘maturity’. Wine is fun and fascinating and tasty and mood altering, but…that’s it. Drinking better wine doesn’t make you a better person. Spending more money on wine doesn’t make you culturally elite. Holding elaborate tasting events won’t inspire you to find the key to world peace.
Sure, do all that if you want. But not really caring about wine, or caring just a little bit, doesn’t make you a Neanderthal. Maybe it means that you have some balance in your life. Maybe it means that you prefer beer. Maybe it mean nothing at all.
Wine is the coolest thing that I’ve ever come across, which is why I’ve made it my vocation. But, just because I know a bit about wine doesn’t make ME all that cool. And it won’t make you all that cool either. Once the bottle (or bottles) are empty, once the dinner is done, the rest of the world beckons with other delights and fascinations, and yes, problems. The wines (for all their glory!) didn’t change one iota of the world beyond those moments in your glass. At best, in those moments, the wine was a pleasurable distraction. That’s its purpose. When it succeeds, that’s enough.