I recently went to a wine event that was very well attended. A few days prior to the event I was describing it to a few really nice folks who really like wine and I was asked; “Why are you going to that, there aren’t going to be Wine People there?” I know what they were trying to ask me, and they weren’t trying to be rude, but I felt that they had missed the mark. To them, in their mind, the majority of people who were going to be there would not appreciate wine, and therefore the wine, and my time there, would be wasted. I assured these folks that I would have a good time regardless. The event was, in fact, a great time, and I was happy to report that there were, in fact, Wine People there. Not only were there a few there, but more Wine People left than came in. So, who are Wine People?
Let us start with what many may think is the obvious answer. Wine People are people who like wine. Right? And not only do Wine People like wine, but they can appreciate its amazing nuances. If you enjoy logic challenges you should see an immediate issue here. How do you become a wine person? Well, you try some wine of course! Then what? Did you become a wine person after your first sip? Did you like the first wine that you ever tried? Did it blow you away, giving you a palatable epiphany that instantly changed your life? Or, was it barely drinkable! Did your wine journey end right there? For many it sadly does. Others have to taste a lot of wines before reaching that mouthwatering eureka moment, the moment when you taste a wine that was so good you didn’t have the words to describe the experience. And it truly is an experience, yet few wine tasters get there on their own. Often it takes encouragement from some of these Wine People.
I often tell people, especially people just starting their wine journey, of the soul levitating experience that wine can bestow. I also tell them that they don’t have to know anything about wine to achieve it! The wine world can be overly intimidating. They try a few wines and quickly give up after not liking any of them, unless they can glean some encouragement and guidance from someone who has had a great wine experience. This is not telling someone what they should like, it is sharing the experience, mentoring early wine tasters to help them find what they like within their own palate. This is getting to the heart of the Wine People question. True Wine People want to share the wine experience with others!
Let me preach on! Not only can wine give you this amazing palate-tory experience, but when done correctly, wine brings people together. Wine combines the palate with the soul! So, if you consider yourself a wine person and you are not sharing this experience then you are doing it wrong! Only when you share the amazing wine experience with others do you truly get the best out of wine. To me, any occasion that gives people a chance to try wine for the first time is worth it. I take it upon myself as a wine person to go to events and share my fun experience with wine. Lo and behold that every time I have attended one of these events, I have found myself enjoying the evening with new Wine People, raising a glass together. Cheers to that!
To me, any occasion that gives people a chance to try wine for the first time is worth it. I take it upon myself as a wine person to go to events and share my fun experience with wine.