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+--- Thread: help getting started (/thread-19337.html)
- jl55378008 - 07-19-2004
i'm (obviously) interested in developing a taste for wine. i've been reading through forums for a few days now, and i'd really appreciate some input from people who know what they're talking about.
a little bit about myself and my goal:
i've had fairly limited experience with wine. on a number of occasions, i've gone to my favorite wine shop and asked the owner for a recommendation (usually based on the night's dinner). i've been satisfied with everything that he's recommended, but i don't know any of the names or styles. for drinking without food, i almost always prefer red wine, but i loved the way that the last white wine i purchased complimented my pasta dish.
over the last few years, i've intentionally developed "tastes" for beer and whisky, and i'm aware that there are many subtleties that an experienced drinker will notice that a more novice drinker would not. basically, i'd like some recommendations on how to build an overall taste for the subtleties and flavors of wine in general.
obviously, the only way to do this is taste a lot of wine, but i'd love some help finding a starting point. in all honesty, it's pretty overwhelming.
thanks in advance,
jared
- dananne - 07-20-2004
Welcome to the board!
Others may chime in with some comments, suggestions, etc., but I thought I'd at least put in a plug for a book -- Andrea Immer's "Great Wines Made Simple." Great starting point to start discovering just those things you indicated that you wanted to learn.
- winoweenie - 07-20-2004
Hi Jared and welcome to the board. Seems you have a lot more understanding than you think. When you have a wine you enjoy, note the name of the vineyard, the type of grapes ( Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, etc.) and the vintage date. Keep a reference file just like cribbing in school. Attend as many tastings as possible. Hopefully your local dealer has free tastings, if not suggest he start some on Friday nites and give a discount on any bottles purchased by the participants. This is a win-win situation...he helps educate your palates and makes for some wine-drinking converts and adds to the days receipts. It's a long road but one well woth travelling. Good Luck! WW