| Eric Asimov, the chief wine critic for the New | | | | friends each have a personal style and bias. I |
| York Times recently gave a talk at the | | | | know in advance what kind of style of wine I am |
| professional wine writers conference on the fear | | | | likely to get as recommendation from a particular |
| and trembling of wine tasting that could have | | | | person. But, I trust these friends to know when a |
| been lifted from my recent blog Wrapped up in | | | | wine has a nice balance of attributes that makes |
| Wine Tasting. Now I wasn't personally there, like | | | | a wine pair well with a particular recipe. This is |
| the late great Groucho Marx, I wouldn't want to | | | | especially true if the recipe flavor is rather |
| belong to any organization that would accept me | | | | "opinionated" and not so easy to pair up a wine |
| as a member (not to mention the fact that after | | | | with. |
| this column I probably just shot my chances to | | | | I am less interested in a dissertation on the |
| hell of ever being asked). Reportedly Mr. Asimov | | | | obscure aromas buried in the wine. Now my |
| made the assertion (to the hoots and hollers of | | | | German Shepherd has a fine nose --he is |
| the audience) that maybe it is time to end "wine | | | | constantly sniffing at anything or person that |
| note publishing." Apparently the audience did not | | | | crosses his path. I think he could actually detect all |
| take his suggestion kindly --after all, for the most | | | | the aromas in Ann Nobles "wine aroma wheel." |
| part they are the high priests of the Neo Wine | | | | But so what? I don't think he actually likes wine |
| Gnostics, the folks who can divine all kinds of | | | | --at least when no one is looking he's not trying |
| hidden meaning and secrete knowledge in a glass | | | | steal a quick quaff of wine off the table. No, he is |
| of wine. | | | | a real meat and potatoes kind of guy, he heads |
| I believe that Asimov's point was perhaps tasting | | | | straight for the roast. Despite his fine nose, he's |
| notes are less clarifying than obfuscating to the | | | | no Neo Wine Gnostic. He probably has no opinion |
| general wine public, and maybe even putting | | | | one way or the other about wine. |
| people off about drinking wine(...we are not | | | | I do not advocate abolishing "wine notes", I |
| worthy...we are not worthy...). Also, maybe there | | | | believe that they do serve a useful purpose. They |
| was a lingering feeling that a personal bias or just | | | | are a good source of information about wines, |
| a quirk of the day might unjustly elevate one | | | | especially those less well known that we might |
| wine to the detriment of another totally fine wine. | | | | otherwise overlook. But consider the source, |
| After all, in the end, a tasting note is just | | | | know something about their personal style, then |
| someone's personal opinion on that particular day. | | | | most importantly, make your own judgment and |
| And surely we all differ on personal preferences | | | | do not be too embarrassed if you do not agree |
| anyway! | | | | with the review. After all, it is a matter of |
| As I mentioned before, I rarely drink wine solo --I | | | | personal taste. |
| like wine with food. If I am looking for a | | | | By the way, to dog lovers everywhere, of |
| suggestion or wine recommendations for food | | | | course I do not mean to compare my dog with |
| pairings, I will ask friends who are either chefs, or | | | | wine people who write wine notes --including |
| come from a culinary background. Not because I | | | | yours truly. I would not want to insult him that |
| am uncertain of what I like and what to choose, | | | | way, I am sure he is lot more trust worthy that |
| but occasionally for fun I like to try something | | | | we are ...except maybe when the roast is on the |
| different that I may have overlooked before. My | | | | table and no one is looking. |