Good Reading

[amshih]

I couldn't resist putting in my two cents, even though I know we're getting off the topic.

As someone who's trying hard to make people feel more comfortable around wine, I've noticed two types of people at tastings: people who act like they know it all and people who act like they know nothing. Both of these behaviors are traceable, I believe, to the snobbery that is so pervasive in the wine world. The self-effacing comments appear to be a defense mechanism -- most people I meet are intimidated and insecure around wine. All those names, years, labels, grapes, jargon, regions, etc! No wonder people would rather grab a beer!

Because I'm under 40 and look about 25, I've been treated like crap by enough wine merchants and snobs to understand why people tend to do a "pre-emptive" poke at themselves on their wine knowledge or lack thereof. I've done it myself. The best way to reach these folks is with a lot of patience and understanding that yes, wine is a complex subject, and not everyone needs to know everything (or anything!) about it to enjoy it regularly.

Feel free to move this comment to Rants and Raves.