Sugar, sugar, sugar

[Zinner]

Well, I think there's more drawing people to be interested in wine. With all the booming interest in food, how could there not be a companion interest in wine? People who become knowledgeable about putting together meals will want the wine that goes with it.

Also it's an advantage, socially or in business, to know a bit about wine...to be able to order a bottle in a restaurant. There are courses for business folk so they don't have to feel inept in this department.

I am happy to try to help someone feel more comfortable in the area of wine. It's fun to share.

But I'd guess that your frustration stems from people weighing in with preconceived notions, rather than seeing how they can begin to explore wine. I've seen that happen from the opposite stance too when people think they must like "dry" wine in order to look sophisticated. Perhaps they don't even like the way it tastes, but feel they must give the appearance, rather than garnering different experiences of wine and then deciding.

I did once see some folks add sugar to their wine. The couple that did this swore that it was an Italian thing, but I've never seen it since, either here or in Italy.