Probably the #1 question I hear at the gallery is "how do you choose your wines?". While it would be fun to reply that I pick them from a catalog blindfolded, it is my sincere pleasure to report that I take this function extremely seriously and I do in fact, have a criteria for selecting wines for our weekly tastings, as well as, for general availability.
First and foremost, I gotta like it. I believe that in order to be a successful saleperson, you must like what your selling, or it's an uphill battle. Lucky for my clients, I like alot of wines.
So I taste, and as I taste, I remind my purveyors to withhold the pricing until I ask for it. I prefer to assess the wine without clouding my judgement with price considerations. I feel like the adage - "Great Wine for the Money" is soooo overused, and shouldn't it just be a great wine ?!?!
When tasting, I take an inordinant amount of time smelling the wine; probably to an annoying degree, however, it's important to me - because I smell better than I taste. (Everyone's different...) I like to smell the wine with short little sniffs then one long one. The short sniffs give me the aromas, the long sniff tells me the alcohol content and structure. If the wine has interesting and abundant aromas - I like it. If the alcohol is in check (not too hot), I like it. If I notice there are undercurrent aromas that I can't quite pinpoint, then I detect nice structure, and I like it.
Once I taste the wine, I want a little air to mix with the wine in my mouth, so I slurp. Yes, it sounds disgusting, and funny and pretentious but it's fun. Plus, I get a better idea of the mouthfeel and the structure when I slurp. I like it when a wine fills my palate, and when the flavors show themselves without any puckering or burning.
Once "I Like It", I then want to hear the price. Price is relative. A $40 Cab, should be compared to other $40 cabs - not to a $20 Cab. My criteria for price is simple...Don't Shock Me. If you tell me it's a $40 cab, then it darned well better taste like I just spent $40 and I'm thrilled. I believe the wine should taste as good as it cost - and it's a total bonus when it's tastes better, or way better, than it costs. LOVE that. And I try to buy those, whenever I can !
Additional criteria -
1. I'm a sucker for a good story. I love to hear the journey the grape took to the bottle, and about the crazy, inspired people who helped it get there.
2. Food Friendliness is uber important. I want the wine to be a dead ringer for a Chipotle rubbed Pork Tenderloin or Lobster Salad. Makes my job easier.
3. Is it sippable ? As important as food friendliness, is people friendliness. Can you just pop it open, pour it up - share it and love it without too much pontification ? Perfect !
Noticably Missing from my criteria.... RATINGS. ENDORSEMENTS. COOL LABELS.
Cheers,
v
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