If you slow down and listen to this conversation you will hear two wine commentators share personal thoughts that will help expand both your wine journey and wine pleasure.
Wines Have a Range of Flavors
Sauvignon Blanc by its very nature will range from intense zippy flavors to a more subtle and balanced profile. Listen to Gary and you will learn he likes knife-edge acidity and wines that lean almost to an out of balance profile. Jayson on the other hand prefers an elegant and restrained style.This can be because of the number of bottles produced, yields in the vineyard, extended lees contact, some with barrel fermentation or even blending semillon into the finished wine. Whatever the reason, this leads to the next interesting idea.
Find a Good Wine Retailer
This one is simple.
- A good wine retailer will take the time to get to know you
- Follow up about prior purchases
- Will steer you toward wines you will like
- Every store will have a geek, find them
- Get to know them on a first name basis
- It will be a good thing
Ratings
Ratings reflect a moment in time and do not reflect the context or setting in which wines are enjoyed. While both Gary and Jayson liked the St Clair Sauvignon Blanc it was more suited to Jayson’s style.
The critical wine reviewers will tell you they are critical wine reviewers because they are independent judges and have neutral opinions. All wines have a style or personality about them and reviewers will naturally connect more with certain styles. High scores, medals, rave reviews are only relevant if you truly know the wine preferences of the critic and how they compare to yours.
- Be brave make the effort to learn what you like!
The only opinion that counts is yours.
- Trust Your Own Palate
This phrase is repeated throughout the conversation. There is a reason for this – it is your money – your wine decision – your dinner with friends.
Regions
In the early days of the New Zealand wine story, wines were described to be “New Zealand wines”. This is now changing and we are learning the distinct differences between:
- Central Otago
- Martinborough
- Marlborough
- Waipara
- Waiheke Island
- Northland
- Hawkes Bay
- Canterbury
- Nelson
- Gisborne
These regions even have sub regions within the regions. This is another good reason to get to know your wine retailer or sommelier. Both Jayson and Gary know their path to success is directly tied to your wine satisfaction. I am confident both are good sources to expand your wine experiences.
Enjoy this conversation between two wine people who care about you.
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