Wine Myths: I don’t know anything about wine

As someone who works closely with wine, there is one sentence I hear more than any other, and quite frankly, I’ve had enough.

“I don’t know anything about wine.”

It’s said with such a defeated energy, as though wine knowledge is genetic, rather than a discipline learned through reading, tasting, studying and being a giant nerd. Your limited knowledge about wine is not a defect in your personality. You just never had the urge to learn about it. And that’s fine! I don’t know anything about gardening, but there are plenty of people I know who can grow prize vegetables. Like anything else, wine expertise is a skill based on education and experience, and if you’ve never had the opportunity to pursue either, how do you suddenly expect to have it?

On the other hand, you’re talking rubbish. You do know about wine. You know the most important thing there is to know about wine, you silly billy! You know what you like.

What a starting point! To know exactly what you want from your glass. From there we have so many journeys we can go on, and so many other wines you can try. You’ve deciphered what your mouth and brain enjoy, and that’s the hardest part. Do you know that some people just drink wine because they think they should? That’s not you. You choose a Pinot Grigio because you like things fresh and clean like a bedsheet on a washing line. From there, we can explore. Is a Sauvignon Blanc too grassy? What about a Sancerre? Too grapey? Maybe you’ll enjoy a Vino Verde? 

The trying and discovering is the whole point, or at least it is to me. I don’t enjoy every wine I try, but I know what I like. And that’s literally all I need to know most of the time.