Great Wine And You

There is no one type of wine drinker first of all. With that fact as our basis for moving ahead, you can see where you might come up with a gazillion different answers. I know there is no number relating to a Gazillion, but let it be enough that there are plenty of different types.

The range extends from the down and out street wino to the extremely upscale wine clubs found in the eastern seaboard of America. And then of course there are our European cousins that consume much more wine than we Americans do routinely. So who you ask about great wine will definitely influence the answer you get back.

So is the question even worth asking? From my perspective it is in fact. But who you ask may come as a surprise. You should ask yourself. That’s right. What you think is a great wine is all that is really important when it comes to drinking the grape nectar. After all, it’s your taste buds you are concerned with and not someone else’s. You want to please yourself. You want to experience pleasure when consuming a glass of wine.

To make the right choice does depend a bit on the situation you find yourself in at the time you are to make a wine selection. The reason for that is some wines do not really go with some occasions. And as a result may not be available. It bears notice that you need to have some basic knowledge concerning wines and their makeup.

Wine 101: Wine typically comes in 3 basic colors. Red, White and Rose’. Then there are dry ( non sweet) wines ranging to the extreme….very sweet desert wines. These wines go with various types of foods usually. Wines that go with main courses, wines best served with deserts and then there is the wine to enjoyed just by it’s self. Actually all wines fit the latter category, depending on your mood and celebration.

The days of wine snobbery are for the most part over. As the 21st century progresses, it has become more important for the individual to enjoy their selection than fitting a predetermined set of circumstances dictated by wine snobs. Those supposedly in the know.

That being the case, it becomes important for you to have a base level of wine knowledge, so you don’t make the mistake of ordering a nice Muscat to drink with your steak dinner. The experience would not be one to your liking I’m fairly sure. Muscat is a wonderful desert wine. Growing up in California’s north coast wine country, as a child I use to pluck muscat grapes off of wild vines growing in our neighborhood and eat them like they were candy.

Even though there is a continuing leaning toward drinking red wine with red meats, it’s entirely acceptable to drink a white wine with beef or veal maybe. And you shouldn’t get funny looks when drinking a nice Merlot with a dish of sauteed prawns and linguine.

So red with red and white with white guidelines no longer hold true as it did in older times. But at some upscale eateries that have a wine Sommelier, you are likely to find that the old traditional view of wine and food pairings still hold true. When faced with this situation you really have to do what ever feels comfortable to you. So great wine is wine that makes you smile. Another great wine I failed to mention was the type known as Champagne. Champagne bubbles popping about your nose is likely to cause that reaction more so than any other. A giggle I mean.

Back to the original question. What is a great wine? I believe it’s the wine that you like the most. A wine that brings you great pleasure. If you find fault with that, then just have a beer.