I saw it there, shining up at me from my menu. It looked so intriguing, mysterious and according to the written suggestion, would pair well with the dish I wanted to order. The only problem? I couldn’t pronounce it. I wanted to be the kind of wine drinker who ordered unusual wines with confidence and grace, but I was too afraid to make the attempt at ordering it and embarrassing myself, so I stuck with the wine I knew best.
The mystery wine was a Gewürztraminer (guh-VURTS-trah-mee-ner) and this was long before I started studying wine. I remember wanting so badly to branch out of my norm and try a wine I had never tried before, but felt too intimidated. Wine can be intimidating for a lot of reasons; pronouncing names in an unfamiliar language, personal taste and style, and even the price. It’s hard to be adventurous, and easy to stick to what’s comfortable. So how does one become an explorer of grapes unknown?
Like mama always said, practice makes perfect, and I wish I would’ve allowed myself to start “practicing” earlier. Wine is not an elite club that you only gain access to if you’ve read the right books or are well studied in French or German, wine is for everyone and has been throughout history. It is ours for the drinking! Here are some handy tips to help you become a confident connoisseur.
Pronunciation
If you walk into a wine shop or sit down at a restaurant and want the wine you can’t pronounce, don’t feel afraid to point to what you want, or ask for help pronouncing the name. With so many grape varieties in the world it is nearly impossible to be familiar with them all, so don’t let anyone make you feel bad for not knowing.
Price
The price of a wine can be the most intimidating thing about it. Even if you had planned to indulge, you may not want to take the risk of spending that money on a wine you’ve never tried before. If you are dining out and feel like trying something new in a higher price range, go with a food pairing. If the waiter or sommelier suggests a Falanghina (FA-lan-GHEE-nah) with your Chicken Caesar, this is the perfect opportunity to try this Italian white wine if you haven’t before. A good food pairing will bring out the best in both the food and the wine, making this wine splurge a wise investment. If you are at a wine shop, ask for a recommendation. Chances are the employees are excited about a new wine just in and are waiting for a brave explorer like yourself to come along and try it! More often than not, lesser known varietals will actually save you money without having to sacrifice quality, since the demand for these wines tends to be lower.
Preference
We all have different palates, and like I always say, the best wine is the wine that you like best. Maybe you’ve done this before, tried your luck at something new and didn’t like what you got. You will probably feel hesitant to do this again, but if there is a part of you that still longs for something new, try a wine dinner. The wine is chosen for you and is perfectly paired with each course. You may like some more than others, and maybe you find that a Cabernet Sauvignon is still your favorite, but a Carmenère (car-men-YEHR) might join the party and surprise you. Wine tastings are also a great opportunity to try new things because you don’t have to commit to a whole glass or bottle, and there’s always a variety to choose from.
This is the advice I wish I would’ve received a long time ago. There are too many great wines to taste for us to limit ourselves to what we are used to, and the wine world is our oyster! QCBN
By Valerye Jeffries
For your next wine adventure, visit the Raven Café in downtown Prescott or visit ravencafe.com for menus and upcoming events.
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