04/26/05 Rant - Difference is good

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and today I am still thinking about yesterday's email question as to why French and American Pinot Noir taste different and which is best. I have a rant about this and I just can not keep it in. So I want to talk some more about developing an appreciation for differences in wine styles. I know that I am always preaching not to be intimidated by wine and drink what you like and don't worry about what anyone else says. But, I am beginning to wonder if perhaps I have taken this too far. My thought was that you would naturally break out and discover, that just like you have broad tastes in food, and that at different times different foods sound better to you than at other times, so too would follow your tastes in wine. But just like food you will never move on if you don't at least try new wines. Wine can be very much like food a true mood thing. Sometimes I am craving a great big salad or a piece of grilled fish. In that same moment, I may want a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or a French Sancerre. They are dramatically different from one another but, because I too the leap and got acquainted with their unique qualities, I now appreciate them for their differences. Keep an open mind try new wines from different parts of the world. Taste them with and without food. Get used to a diversity of flavor and it will increase your appreciation and your knowledge of wine  and I promise you will also have more fun. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.