If a gun is pointed at a point-blank range and the only way out is to name my favorite wine, then I am a goner. I could not do it. I have tasted many, I have an opinion on some, and I try to always buy something new, something I have not tried before. Probably that is the reason why I could not mention my favorite wine even if my life depended on it. But is that a bad thing?
I think not. I know that my favorite wine-producing countries are France and Italy. I know, if I had to choose to buy red, white, or bubbles I would definitely buy bubbles. Do you remember my article about bubbles? You do not. Here it is, please read it.
Naming favorite grapes is harder. I would say Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc may be at my top. Since I like steak then Malbec is also very close by. One can’t name Syrah and call himself a wine enthusiast. Luckily my beautiful woman likes Syrah very much; therefore, I get to taste it on a regular basis. I do not prefer white wine. If given a choice, then I always take red instead of white. But when I know that someone offers me an old Riesling (let’s say 7+ years) and it smells of an old garage, then I will take this white alcoholic liquid with pleasure. Those who know they know.
On a side note, and unrelated to France and Italy, I very much appreciate wines from the brand TORRES (Spain). Can’t say why, but I know a story or two about the man behind the brand, and it just makes me want to drink, taste, to know it even more. Just one of those unexplainable things.
Favorite regions? Probably Bordeaux and Côtes-du-Rhône. As of this moment without looking into any books and notes from various tastings.
But what about tastings, why I decided to write a whole article about them. Because that is where I really got to know wine. To be precise, it was not actually a wine tasting but a “wine school”. A place where the owner of the shop called “Noliktava Nr.2” read lectures about wine: its origin, various regions, grapes, red, white, rose and bubbles, wine and food pairings, and much, much more. It essentially had everything one needs to know in order to be able to start tasting, looking, and experiencing independently.
I still remember my first time there. I came in encouraged by my loved one, I did not know what to expect, I sat down at the table next to other “pupils”. After a while the lecture began and the owner asked everyone what their current experience is, and what they like to drink. Soon enough it came to my turn to speak, and I said: “I have some experience with wine. Not much but some. I like red. Georgian wine in particular.” Back then I mainly drank semi-sweet wine. Yes, semi-sweet. I had not yet discovered the euphoric deliciousness of old Bordeaux and Riesling, the freshness of grenache, and the richness of malbec. That all came only later after many, many bottles, late evening talks, and candlelight diners (you know who you are).
Here we are. Unfortunately, I have not yet visited a vineyard which I very much wish to do. I would also like to find a place here in Brussels that organizes wine tastings. As of yet, I have not been successful on that front. Hopefully, in 2023 we will visit both various vineyards and wine tastings; and my (together with my woman’s) wine journey can move on to the next level.
But I will always remember where it all started and what was my reply as to what has been my experience before that faithful wine school.
Kind regards,
Olaaf
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