Comments on: The Epiphany Moment when a Friend Finally Understands Wine http://www.catavino.net/spain/the-epiphany-moment-when-a-friend-finally-understands-wine/ A blog about the wines of Spain and Portugal Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:11:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Gabriella http://www.catavino.net/spain/the-epiphany-moment-when-a-friend-finally-understands-wine/#comment-70540 Gabriella Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:13:40 +0000 http://www.catavino.net/2008/04/29/the-epiphany-moment-when-a-friend-finally-understands-wine/#comment-70540 Thanks everyone for doing the nasty deed of converting people into wine lovers far and wide; however, Bill brought up a great point that I want to address: does your epiphany require the distinction between two wines as opposed to wine vs. spirits or beer? My official answer is, no, it doesn't. What I think is crucial is that people cultivate curiosity to seek difference. I could care less if your epiphany comes in wine, beer or spirits, as long as your cultivating a desire to explore, differentiate and communicate. Put two juice boxes in front of you and if you can articulately tell me why you like one over the other, then in my mind, you've succeeded. For someone to tell me that El Coto is fine because they don't want to "think" about other options, is unacceptable. However, if they can give me a solid reason why they love it, whether it be through their actions or words, than I'm happy. I hope that answers your question ;-) Thanks everyone for doing the nasty deed of converting people into wine lovers far and wide; however, Bill brought up a great point that I want to address: does your epiphany require the distinction between two wines as opposed to wine vs. spirits or beer? My official answer is, no, it doesn’t. What I think is crucial is that people cultivate curiosity to seek difference. I could care less if your epiphany comes in wine, beer or spirits, as long as your cultivating a desire to explore, differentiate and communicate. Put two juice boxes in front of you and if you can articulately tell me why you like one over the other, then in my mind, you’ve succeeded. For someone to tell me that El Coto is fine because they don’t want to “think” about other options, is unacceptable. However, if they can give me a solid reason why they love it, whether it be through their actions or words, than I’m happy. I hope that answers your question ;-)

]]> By: Bill http://www.catavino.net/spain/the-epiphany-moment-when-a-friend-finally-understands-wine/#comment-70538 Bill Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:32:37 +0000 http://www.catavino.net/2008/04/29/the-epiphany-moment-when-a-friend-finally-understands-wine/#comment-70538 My experience is somewhat analogous to Richard's. I became a serious wine drinker in 1982 after moving to the Twin Cities and rooming with a college buddy (Ross). Back in those days, we were the only ones in our group with a serious (or even moderate) wine jones. We started pulling people in by hosting dinners, parties and wine tastings. Our yearly German wine tasting, which lasted for 11 years, is the stuff of legend. During this period of time, I started to notice that instead of beer or spirits, my friends were now starting to bring wine to our get togethers. We're talking a span of over 20 years here, but the last holdouts finally came around over the past few years. Now, we're all drinking wine. For most of my friends, I don't know if I can say there was an epiphany, in the sense of the "eureka" moment. I just hammered away like the tide and eventually they all crumbled (or had their epiphanies while I wasn't looking) . Wine became (and still is) their beverage of choice. I couldn't be happier. Ok, I could be happier if they all decided to drink great wine. But any wine, even the El Coto, is better than no wine, yes? Or does your epiphany require the distinction between two wines as opposed to wine vs. spirits or beer? Anyway, that's my wine pied piper story, and I'm proud of it. :-) My experience is somewhat analogous to Richard’s. I became a serious wine drinker in 1982 after moving to the Twin Cities and rooming with a college buddy (Ross). Back in those days, we were the only ones in our group with a serious (or even moderate) wine jones. We started pulling people in by hosting dinners, parties and wine tastings. Our yearly German wine tasting, which lasted for 11 years, is the stuff of legend. During this period of time, I started to notice that instead of beer or spirits, my friends were now starting to bring wine to our get togethers. We’re talking a span of over 20 years here, but the last holdouts finally came around over the past few years. Now, we’re all drinking wine. For most of my friends, I don’t know if I can say there was an epiphany, in the sense of the “eureka” moment. I just hammered away like the tide and eventually they all crumbled (or had their epiphanies while I wasn’t looking) . Wine became (and still is) their beverage of choice. I couldn’t be happier. Ok, I could be happier if they all decided to drink great wine. But any wine, even the El Coto, is better than no wine, yes? Or does your epiphany require the distinction between two wines as opposed to wine vs. spirits or beer?

Anyway, that’s my wine pied piper story, and I’m proud of it. :-)

]]> By: RichardA http://www.catavino.net/spain/the-epiphany-moment-when-a-friend-finally-understands-wine/#comment-70536 RichardA Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:13:07 +0000 http://www.catavino.net/2008/04/29/the-epiphany-moment-when-a-friend-finally-understands-wine/#comment-70536 About four years ago, I started hanging around with a new group of guys. I was already friends with one of the guys in the group and he introduced me to the others. We met once a week to play card or board games. I always brought a bottle of wine or two with me to these weekly get togethers. Most everyone else drank beer or soda. But, as they tasted the wines I brought, they became intrigued. Soon enough, another guy started bringing wine too. Then another. Until almost every guy brought a bottle of wine with them each week. As their love for wine grew, we eventually decided to create a wine review blog, to talk about all the wines we were drinking. This was the Real World Winers blog. My friends contributed to this for nearly a year but then their interest (or really their desire to do the work for it) waned. I was left as the main contributor and eventually decided to start my own instead. But, we still meet almost every week and we still each bring wine. Their tastes have definitely changed over the last few years. One friend bought my old wine refrigerator, and now has more wine than will fit in it. All of these guys will continue to drink wine all their lives. About four years ago, I started hanging around with a new group of guys. I was already friends with one of the guys in the group and he introduced me to the others. We met once a week to play card or board games. I always brought a bottle of wine or two with me to these weekly get togethers. Most everyone else drank beer or soda. But, as they tasted the wines I brought, they became intrigued. Soon enough, another guy started bringing wine too. Then another. Until almost every guy brought a bottle of wine with them each week.

As their love for wine grew, we eventually decided to create a wine review blog, to talk about all the wines we were drinking. This was the Real World Winers blog. My friends contributed to this for nearly a year but then their interest (or really their desire to do the work for it) waned. I was left as the main contributor and eventually decided to start my own instead. But, we still meet almost every week and we still each bring wine. Their tastes have definitely changed over the last few years. One friend bought my old wine refrigerator, and now has more wine than will fit in it. All of these guys will continue to drink wine all their lives.

]]> By: Anna http://www.catavino.net/spain/the-epiphany-moment-when-a-friend-finally-understands-wine/#comment-70531 Anna Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:47:02 +0000 http://www.catavino.net/2008/04/29/the-epiphany-moment-when-a-friend-finally-understands-wine/#comment-70531 I had a similar experience in Sweden. In Sweden it is extremly popular with bag in box wines. And my friends there always tells me that they taste exactly the same as in bottle......ha! So just to prove them wrong i bought the exact same wine, same vintage in bottle and bag-in-box and did a blind tasting with my family and some friends.... I had the exact same reaction as from your friend M.....After that experince i have never seen a bag-in- horror when i come home to see my friends. again...I don't know if they still keep it hidden away in the cupboard but at least i don't have to drink it. I had a similar experience in Sweden. In Sweden it is extremly popular with bag in box wines. And my friends there always tells me that they taste exactly the same as in bottle……ha! So just to prove them wrong i bought the exact same wine, same vintage in bottle and bag-in-box and did a blind tasting with my family and some friends…. I had the exact same reaction as from your friend M…..After that experince i have never seen a bag-in- horror when i come home to see my friends. again…I don’t know if they still keep it hidden away in the cupboard but at least i don’t have to drink it.

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