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Too many tasting myths....

When it comes to consumable products, wine is probably the most over analyzed, dissected, and judged product in the marketplace today. Its' virtues and nuances have been extolled upon by supposed "Experts" all the way down to the average consumer buying into the mythical qualities of this magical elixir. So allow me to dispel some of the mystique surrounding wine, and if you will patiently read through the end of the article, I will explain how you too can indulge in this over-embellished art of analysis.

I have been a professional consumer for approximately 40 years, and professionally involved in the industry for about 20 of those years. I have had the good fortune to try a veritable cornucopia of wines from around the globe, had articles on food & wine published in a variety of newspapers and magazines, and can critique the product with the best. It is my expert opinion that wine....is a drink. It is an alcoholic beverage enjoyed by many because it tastes good and makes us feel good. Beyond this, all other things are simply vanity and personal preference. It does not possess mystical mind-boggling qualities, and it is not the fountain of youth that will somehow make the consumer greater than his or her peers for their indulgence of it (though it may often make them think so).

Wine as a product is a simple result of product decomposition of, in this category, grapes (fermentation) which creates a liquid that holds one of its bi-products in suspension (alcohol) which is a toxin that produces a variety of effects upon the consumer. One of the reasons that this fermented product is appealing to us goes back to our primal instincts, where in nature ripe fruit begins to ferment on the plant and release aromas to us indicating that it is ready to be consumed. Now wine could be made skillfully to bear a striking resemblance to the all too familiar juice and then have all the alcohol removed. It could taste just the same, yet would not nearly have the appeal of true wine. This establishes that one of the reasons that we drink wine is the alcohol, and the effect it has on us, it makes us feel good.

The analysis of wine on preference based terms is a simple, or artificially complicated procedure that can be done by anyone. The baseline determination being sought when analyzing wine for oneself is very simple. Do I like this wine? Would I like to enjoy more of this wine or not? All else is superficial. What gives one pleasure with this product

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