I came across a great piece in Forbes this weekend about a wine writer's experience stepping away from the nuanced tasting components of a wine to embrace its emotional side. The story made me think about my own memories. My grandpa in Taiwan is getting up in age, and when I do have the chance to visit him, there's usually some red wine with the meal. The wine's usually not paired well with the Chinese cuisine we have nor does it really have a lot of depth, but it doesn't matter to me since I realize my grandpa is enjoying it.
Other times, I recall being deep into a meal and enough glasses of wine in that I probably couldn't land a single descriptor if I tried. Yet the wine's attitude or personality still sticks with me - I feel the transformation of the wine especially if it's an old one as new sensations emerge with time. It makes me think about how there remains more opportunities for the industry to adjust its tourism packages to bring about wonderful associations even with cheaper, more accessible wines.
Phil, thanks for this post. I agree with the overall theme of what you are saying and do think that the emotional relationship with wine is incredibly important. Almost all of my favorite wines and wine experiences have become so important to me mostly because of the people I was with, the places I was located, and the things I was doing while drinking those wines that really stay with me. The Cabernet Sauvignon we served at my wedding is not even close to the best quality, highest point scoring red I've tasted, yet it's easily my favorite wine (just bought 2 cases!) because of the obvious emotional connection I have to that day and to the wine that got everyone on the dance floor! Personally I love to over-intellectualize wine, but I think its emotional connection that is probably most powerful at the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteSri and Luke,
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has a very hard time calling out descriptors in wine (other than red or white) most of my purchasing decisions are related to exactly what you both are talking about: what memories do I have with the wine.
My sister works for a California vineyard/winery and I'll frequently purchase her wine when I am traveling simply because it is her wine. Are there better wines in the world, of course. But her wine does score pretty well and I value the memories I have associated with it than I do a perfect pairing with whatever I am eating.
Similarly, when my wife and I lived across the country from both our families, we'd purchases wines that her family loved, or ones that were otherwise meaningful to us (Including those we served at our wedding, Luke).
In one respect, I think my lack of palate allows me to enjoy the wines I enjoy, for whatever reason I enjoy them and not get fussy about the technical details of every winery, vintage, bottle, and sip.