I hate answering wine questions. There, I’ve said it. Even though I feel I’m of around average intelligence, I just can’t seem to wrap my head around more than the basics of what wine goes with what, how one describes the tastes of wine, or why certain wines are good for this and not that.
I have some of the very basics down. White wine for fish and all that. A nice red wine for meat dishes. And I’ve been able to learn how to fake it for my poor customers that ask my opinion – I’ve focused on a few of our wines that are big pleasers and I talk them up. Which is usually fine because they are in fact good wines, it’s just I don’t know why. I can’t discuss why red wine A is better for the dish than red wine B. And fuck have I tried! I’ve read Food and Wine Magazine. I’ve asked why such and such works with such and such. I’ve tasted new wines as we get them. But without somebody spelling it out for me, and me then writing it on a little cheat sheet, I’m lost.
And I really can’t tell you what makes a wine better than another. I envy people who can distinguish great wines. I once had a customer who bought a $100 bottle of wine and insisted I try it because it was his favorite. I did try it but had to feign being impressed – honestly, although I could have determined it was better than other wines, I could simply not appreciate it any more than I would have a $20 bottle of wine.
Perhaps wine isn’t my thing. I don’t know. Probably by now it’s a mental block. But I’ve got my trusty cheat sheet to get me through.
Until they change the wine list again. Then you are on your own.
10 comments:
Wow! I don't appreciate fine wines at all. I drank a glass from a gallon jug of Gallo and it was the best I've ever had. My "winey" friends can't believe I like the stuff.
i can taste the difference between crap (Riunite) and ok wines, and ok wines and good wines, but that's about it... good vs great? no way...
and if you want to piss off a wine steward? ask if they carry anything in a fortified wine. perhaps a 2007 Irish Rose?
I think that whole red wine with red meat, white wine with fish and chicken thing is a bunch of crap.
I don't like red wines - they aren't chilled and I just don't like the taste. So I always drink white. I don't care so much for sweet (except for desserts).
The whites don't really age well so the wine snobs are really red wine drinkers.
I say, if I like it, it is a fine wine...especially if it is not terribly expensive.
screw the wine snobs
When I have dinner at a restaurant with a good sommelier, I really appreciate their suggestions and I can appreciate the flavors and nuances they note.
However, I couldn't really figure those flavors and nuances on my own.
jali - i too often shock and amaze my friends with what i'm willing to drink :)
daisy - irish rose, ahh, the memories i can almost bring back when thinking of irish rose...
daniel - welcome to the blog. i drink white with everything (usually with ice)...but i don't dare mention it when on the job. i wonder if anyone tastes those nuances, or if it's a big scam
that's a refreshing insight into a waiter's mind :-)
like daisyfae, I can sometimes taste the difference between crap, ok and good.
except when I'm pissed.....
Since we emphasize our on-tap beers at the bar, I often get questions about them. By now I can fake it pretty well, but that's all because of other people's comments.
I've tried a number of our beers, but I've given up. Beer is beer to me, and I don't like any of it. *shrug* Thank goodness I can always offer people a taster if I can't describe it well enough.
It all gives me a giant headache, especially that crap that comes from a box.
The next time someone wants you to try an expensive wine, just beg off, saying that you will never be happy with your cheaper bottles of wine once you've tried a really good bottle. He/she can't argue with that!
Anon - I like that idea a lot...well done.
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