Wine?

[Skaldgrimnir]

I love to talk about wine, but I try to remember a few things.

1. Never quote numbers - a 95 for one person may be a 63 for someone else, despite what guides say. Everyone has a different taste.

2. Make games out of tasting wine. Have people take drinks and try describe fruits they taste, or associate stories or memories with it, If you make games out of it, people begin to associate good wine with good times and good times with good wine with you.

3. Never sniff the cork. I see people doing this, and the only reason to sniff a cork is fear of cork rot, which most people cannot tell anyway, unless they are a dedicated wine enthusiast. And in case there is rot( or not) just remember, if you don't like the wine, send it back.

4. Even at a wine tasting, I rarely recommend people do the vigorous swishing that you see people doing (But it can work for serious tasters, and other people - just not my preference). Just remember to let the wine breath a moment, then sip, roll it all around your mouth slowly, so you get all the flavors (and if you find you like one area, but not another, remember it - no reason to experience all but the best tastes), and enjoy. Remember also that the longer the wine is exposed to air, the more the taste changes.

5. Try a lot of wines, find what you enjoy, and find out a way to describe what you do and do not enjoy about a wine. (i.e. I really love this mead. It's crisp and dry, not at all what I expected. Not a lot of honey taste, but I can taste a hint of apple. It went really well with the salmon we had)
If you can explain what you liked in basic terms, or even flowery but common terms, more people can associate and find what you are saying relevant.

After I move to my new place, I am hoping to get a case of colorado meads picked up for me by a friend (The meadery does not ship out of state, sadly). I'd love to share with anyone interested in experiencing different kinds of honey wine.