Are you Intimidated by Wine? Or are you intimidated by those who know about wine? ME too! However, I have recently changed my views and stereotypes about those who know and drink wine. My stereotype of a knowledgeable wine connoisseur was that of a person who diligently reads wine reviews, one who is annoyed by questions about wine and one who is condescending. I must say, I don't think I have ever truly met anyone who fits this stereotype.

When I began this venture of building a Web site concerning food and wine, my first thought was, "I really don't care about wine, I care about HTML code." I have always liked wine and in fact always choose wine over hard liquor or beer, yet I had always allowed others to choose the wine because I thought there was so much I didn't know.

After attending the Women for WineSense conference I learned that wine drinking enjoyment is not an exact science. Yes, as with anything in this world, the more informed you are, the better choices you make. However, the most important thing I learned was that everyone's palate is different and that we should make choices based on our own personal opinions.

I also learned that people who know about wine generally take pleasure in sharing their knowledge and are happy to answer even the most basic questions. I especially enjoy asking for food and wine pairing suggestions because invariably wine knowledgeable people know the most interesting palate pleasing combinations.

I also found the wine community to be filled with people who are inviting, delightful and average as well as enthusiastic and most of them have a wonderful sense of humor. I believe Debbie Zachareas, the wine buyer for EOS Restaurant in San Francisco, said it best, "the best way to improve your wine knowledge is to keep tasting." The point is, learn about your palate and please it!

I was then inspired to explore the realm of wine. Today I enjoy saying to the waiter or waitress, "I would like to choose the wine," when they immediately hand the wine list to my husband who knows nothing about wine and is drinking a beer. I would like to encourage anyone who is intimidated by wine to engage themselves in this realm because from my experience I have found that wine has improved and expanded my culinary tastes tremendously.
By
Bev Brock-Alexander

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