If you can't ask in your own journal, whose journal can you ask in?

[kitanzi]

Ok, I actually want to know. I do know that a great many people are fussy and particular and knowledgeable about wines. Me, I know what I like - much like art. Can you tell me WHAT you like in wines, and what wines you like, and why? I'm actually curious, and interested in learing more about it. Most of my exposure to "Wine tasting" has been through someone who I have trouble communicating with in the best of circumstances, and this all seems so nebulous and (forgive me) often pretentious that I just don't seem to get it. There are a couple wines I get fairly often, at least when I get wine, but I'm interested in trying something new and a lot of this seems absurdly expensive to me for taking a blind leap of faith on. (I was tempted to buy the Our Daily Red just for the name and label - I'm such a sad sucker for puns!) Are any of you wine drinkers? Feel free to pontificate, even lecture - how ever you can, give me information! Thanks!

EDIT: Cooking wines too, for that matter. I know several of you are accomplished cooks!

Comments

[bedlamhouse]

The most important thing that I have picked up over the years is to be able to identify what part of the flavor you like and then be able to describe it so that you can ask the Sommelier or Wine Shop Expert (or look up on the web, gasp!) what wine(s) contain those notes.

For instance, "sweet" can vary from "crisp" (leaving no aftereffect) to "lingering" (or "cloying", if you ask me :D). Richness can be in the mouthfeel or subtly in the flavor overtone ("buttery" is how I like to describe a good Côte du Rhone or Bordeaux).

I am not much of a wine drinker except with food, and I prefer a good peppery Shiraz or Red Zinfandel with steak. A rich St. Joseph or other Rhone regional is good with cheese (since I like strong cheese - contrary to some popular belief, white wine is usually too delicate for good cheese). Of course, one must have a decent Sauterne with one's Foie Gras.

I got a great book the last French trip that talks about the regions of wine in France and the general characteristics (as opposed to books that talk about specific wineries and years). You're welcome to take a look at it when you want, as it has some good general articles about tasting and food preferences.

We could also set up a little mini wine tasting at some point ... not that I am particularly knowledgeable but finding new wines as well as revisiting old ones could be lots of fun.