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Wine Examiner
Showing entries for Category: chardonnay

POSTED April 28, 11:02 AM

    Thought of becoming an oenophile? Don't let the term scare you away; an oenophile is a lover of wines, not someone to keep your children away from. Learning about wine--and eventually coming to love it--is an adventure, where the learning never stops.
    Wine and its nuances may at first be daunting to the beginner. But as with many things in life, giving it a chance just may prove rewarding and something you'll not only stick with, but also learn to appreciate and enjoy.
    A good place to start a pursuit in wine appreciation would be with the bare bones basics- starting with what you like and don't like. Following your own instincts goes a long way; don't feel intimidated into playing by someone else's rules.   But on the flip side, be open to experiencing new and different tastes, flavors, and characteristics of wine. And don't let wine jargon unnerve you. The terms used in seeing, smelling, and tasting wine may be out of your scope of knowledge but they are there to help you define what you're experiencing and can actually be fun in and of themselves. Can your wine really smell like "wet dog?" Is it really possible to taste muddy rocks while sipping a glass? Don't let wine and its mystique scare you away.
    An easy way to begin the wine experience would be at a restaurant you are familiar with, and one that serves quality wine by the glass. Ask your server for a recommendation, something that will complement your meal. Most waitstaff these days are fairly well-versed in wine and can offer some good suggestions. It's the restauranteur's aim to satisfy you with a good food-wine match up.
    The notion of pairing white wine with white meat, red wine with red meat is a bit tired but still just in its simplicity. But once you're in a comfort zone with wine experimentation, be bold, break out of the mold. You're meal won't likely be ruined by the wrong choice of wine. It's next to impossible to spoil a good meal if your wine choice is something you enjoy, regardless of what "wine experts" recommend. Remember who is eating the meal: you,not the experts.
    Remember to let your own instincts dictate what you enjoy. Give your senses a treat and sample a wine you may have never considered. As for me at the moment, a dyed-in-the-wool chardonnay drinker, my temporary new found favorites are viogniers. Most importantly, wine is to be enjoyed on a personal level. Don't feel as you have to play by what someone else dictates. Wine is about sensory experience. Indulge, appreciate, and take pleasure in the journey.
    Salud!

Categories: viognier , oenophile , wine , chardonnay , merlot

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Leslie Cramer
Leslie Cramer has worked in the fine wine industry for twenty- something years. Known in some circles as "The Wine Wizardess," she'll cover topics from wine education, to trends o' the day and how to properly propose a toast, to health benefits of the grape.