I had business cards printed when I started writing this column in 2007. I have my name, Wine Line, my e-mail address and in a smaller font, a statement saying, "a consumer-friendly approach to wine."
What does this mean? I know, and I think you do too if you have been reading Wine Line the past two years. It means as a writer, I am on your side. We're all consumers, looking for the best possible wine experience. Let me explain my mission statement in five easy steps.
1. Enjoy wine: Wine is supposed to be fun -- enjoy it. Enjoy it alone or with food. Put ice in red wine if you like or sneak a Two-Buck-Chuck into a blind-tasting. Have some fun!
2. Wine is simple: Wine is grape juice in which the yeast has converted the sugar into alcohol. It is not rocket science. To learn about wine you must taste it. Your homework is to taste, taste and taste. Make sure you try various varieties, regions and countries.
3. Ignore wine snobs: Wine snobs, or geeks, and their adjective-laden wine-speak are boring. Avoid them. If you hear someone describe a wine as having "nuances of bruised fenberries wreathed in ripe Asian moonfruit," run away as fast as you can.
4. Trust your palate: Develop your own taste and enjoyment of wine. You don't have to out-source your palate to someone else. Wine ratings are just someone else's opinions. What is YOUR opinion about the wine? How about developing your own wine-rating scale?
5. Drink what you like: If you like a Cabernet Sauvignon with Dover Sole or Chardonnay with chili dogs, do it. Food and wine pairings are just suggestions. The bottom line is to drink what YOU like and pair it with whatever. Trust me, no one will report you to Martha Stewart.
There you have it. My mission statement. I couldn't possibly fit all that on a business card, so "a consumer-friendly approach to wine", will have to do. You can see the five steps are all about you. Choosing, enjoying and sharing wine with friends is really about you. Just remember these steps. Enjoy wine, keep it simple, avoid the pomposity of wine, trust your palate and drink what you like. Remember, I am on your side, period.
Appellation California
Dec. 4 marked the date of the opening of Appellation California. Located on Highway 99 in Madera, the center will focus on wines made in the San Joaquin Valley, from Manteca to Bakersfield. The tasting room will be open seven days a week. Patrons can sample wines, dried fruits, nuts, olive oil and other local products. Works of local artists will be displayed at the center which is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What's on our table
2006 Callabriga Douro
I just returned from a trip to Portugal, so I was happy to see that Trader Joe's has a few new samples of Portuguese wines. This wine lists for $13, and T.J.'s has it for $8.95. Made from the traditional port grapes of the Douro region, this wine is soft, has red fruit notes and a spicy finish. It is aged 12 months in oak and six in the bottle before release. An ideal steak wine. Cheers!
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? You can reach me at rgwinton@yahoo.com.
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