Jun 30, 2011
Taste damn it, taste
Stop, slow down. Taste that wine. I have gotten so comfortable with the wines i drink and love, that I sometimes forget to taste. After all, isn’t that the way i was taught? I was taught to observe, smell and taste the wine in the glass. I was taught to analyze the wine in the glass. I was taught to take notes. Well enough, I am glad that I was taught the basics about wine. I built a proper foundation based on schooling, studying and tasting. I even excelled at it. Then something started to happen….
I decided to go off the beaten track. think for myself if you will. This started to happen a few years before going to school, but especially after. I began to read less and began tasting more. I told people around me that were interested in wine to put down the books sometimes and taste. After all, I felt that a glass of wine could teach us more than a text book could. I improved my tasting skills, and grasped the concept of quality, one of the most important aspects of wine tasting.
I quickly found myself on the track I am on today. the road that was paved by education and my experience.. A road that lead me to wines that I feel express so much, wines that are so drinkable, and most of all, wines that are so natural.
Then something happened. I started enjoying the wines. Really really enjoying the wines. Enjoying the wines to the point that I sometimes found myself forgetting to taste that glass of wine. That damn glass of wine which I enjoy so much, but forget to really taste.. Like I used to, like I was taught.
Although I encourage people interested in wine to study wine, I also encourage people to think for themselves. I encourage people to taste taste taste. Enjoy that wine, but slow down…..and never forget to taste that wine.
beautiful cement eggs at Meinklang in Pamhagen, Austria
Nice! And tasting leads back to the books to figure out what you’re tasting, right? And great shot there, for lots of reasons: 60’s Sci-Fi flicks, (not a fan but still cool), space, design, shapes, clean, organized, love it!
Jonathan,
Exactly, you need to lead what you are tasting back to the books (in some respects anyway).
After reading this I burned all my books.. 😉 Most winebooks are pretty useless, you can use the Atlas or something but most books are geared towards a specific type of winemaking. Lots of times it is difficult to relate to what is written while drinking something original.
Never had Meinklang btw must cost a nice dime, those eggs carry faberge prices.
haha Mart! i am sure you didn’t burn your books. Many of my books are quietly collecting some dust on them on my bookshelf 😉
So true Joseph !
Had a -07 Meinklang Blaufrankisch Spiegel a year ago. Very interesting, in the beginning like a northern Rhone syrah, ending very floral like roses after an hour. Very dark, fruity, balanced and at the same time both lots of taste and a light feeling.
Thanks for commenting Karl! The wines of Meinklang I enjoy very much, especially the latest vintages. We had some bottles of the 2009 Blaufrankisch at my wedding this past weekend and the guests enjoyed the wine!
Cheers!