Wine Night

“I like how wine continues to evolve, like if I opened a bottle of wine today it would taste different than if I’d opened it on any other day, because a bottle of wine is actually alive. And it’s constantly evolving and gaining in complexity.” (1)

Hubby and I have attended quite a few special Wine Dinners at our golf course restaurant. At the start of each course, we were served a specially selected wine.  The sommelier then talked to us a little bit about the winery from whence it came and walked us through tasting notes.
I like the way wine brings a group of people together. It’s something everyone has an opinion about, even non-connoisseurs. Having developed an interest in wine, I decided I could do something similar in my own home and expand the evening’s entertainment with tasting challenges.

One such event began with a blind-tasting challenge.  I’d carefully selected a Californian, Italian and Canadian wine for it. The objective was to rate the wines based on their bouquet, flavor and drinkability. And there was a prize for the person who correctly guessed the wine’s country of origin.

I should add that none of us in the room were wine experts. This was all done in fun and with lots of laughter.

“Okay, here’s number 2,” I said, pouring wine from the designated bottle. Everyone twirled the wine, sniffed it and finally tasted it, commenting along the way.

“There’s hardly any aroma to this one.”

“Too acidy for me.”

“Just lacks flavor, if you ask me. I don’t like it.”

“Hey everyone – try this!”  Pointing to some tangelo-coloured cubes of cheese on a platter, she added, “It’s really good! It doesn’t pair well with the one next to it, but with this one, it’s perfect.”

A surge of hands rushed to the cheese plate to try it out.

“You’re right – simply delicious!”

“Very harmonious.”

“Really nice.”

I loved it!  My friend had found the synchronicity between wine and the foods paired with it. And sometimes even wine needs a small helping hand to alert others to its unique mosaic flavors, its true beauty.

This event has made me wonder how often we jump to conclusions, or make assumptions, and in so doing, miss out on opportunities. I think it’s really easy to do in our hectic and overstimulated world. I know I do. But like wine, I too am alive, constantly evolving, gaining in complexity, and I find myself in diligent pursuit of finding and promoting good, even in wine.

(1)My favorite quotes about wine. It’s from the movie Sideways.