01/30/06 Monday question - Snotty wine expert

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. Today we are answering a question from the email. Recently a listener wrote to ask, "What would you say to someone who thinks of himself as a wine expert and he is always putting me other friends down about the wines that we like and drink?" What a great question, I only wish that I had a polite answer. To me wine is a beverage and it is a bit of a happy indulgence. On the other hand, as Jancis Robinson says "it is one of life's perks". Anyone who suggests that wine is only for the elite or profoundly knowledgeable is quite mistaken. Recognizing that should help to put you at ease with wine. You will find that inevitably those who claim to be wine experts have little to offer other than their own prejudice. In other words; they are big on opinion or have read too many magazines telling them what they should like and they are too unsure of their own palate to disagree. To appreciate wine all you have to do is have a desire. If they truly love wine perhaps they should simply relish in the fact that you are enjoying wine and discovering wines that you yourself will enjoy. Perhaps they could be more gracious and say I have found a wine that I enjoy would you like to share it with me? Anyone who would speak to you about your wine selection in a condescending manner just doesn't get it. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thanks for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.