Every family has their own traditions, the things
they cling to on those too-short and too-far-between days when we all
return to the nest for various holidays. After my oldest brother went to
college, the nest changed locations several times and with traveling
and everything, we were open to a new fun thing. And what's a family to do when they've landed along the Virginia Wine Trail?
Go WINE TASTING of course!
Wine has been a part of the family for a while. It has a place at the
table and an invitation to each gathering. No, we're not winos- but my
brothers and I were taught to responsibly enjoy a complex glass or two.
So there should have been no surprise that all five of us were happy to
crowd into a car and go vineyard searching (or "vineyard-venturing", if
you will). We brought with us our similarities and differeneces, and I
am loving arguing, I mean
discussing red vs. white or sweet vs. dry and everything in between.
I have not traveled far for tastings, so my experience is mostly with local Virginia wines and, of course, whatever is on sale at Kroger. So far I have discovered a few things about myself when it comes to wine-tasting: First, I love anything that has the word "Viognier" in it. I see that word on a bottle and I get very excited for that crisp but sweet feeling that comes with each sip. I would trade it for water. Second, I know that I am a failure when it comes to opening bottles that do not twist. My friends always hand the bottle to me to open, as if my love of wine somehow makes me capable of any skill that is associated with the fermented grapes, but I end up making a mess 9 times out of 10. Third, I know that wines taste better when you are having fun. Yeah, that sounds cheesy but I have yet to find a "new favorite wine, oh my gosh!" unless I am with a great group of people having the experience with me, which is why I am so glad to have my girls with me in this class.
What I am looking forward to learn:
-CT
- I am really excited to start opening wine bottles without losing any of the precious drops!
- How to appreciate the dryer whites and darker reds. Although I favor Nortons and have found several Merlots (particularly the ones that say they are supposed to taste like tobacco) that I enjoy, but I know that I have avoided these wines in particular because I do not like them as much. I want to be able to appreciate these varieties and discuss them even thought they are not my favorite. This is why I am specifically excited about the "Grape Of The Day" part of the lectures. Hopefully this will help me round out my knowledge on the wines I have been less inclined to sip.
- Regions. I know very little about wine regions other than the one that I live in. I plan on being a traveler with my Theater & Cinema degree so I want to know about the wines of the cultures that I am going to visit. It will be an interesting topic to be able to discuss, as well as a way to know these cultures before I try to assimilate into them.
-CT
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