From the Mystical to the Magical… a Journey in Wine – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

Wine for far too long has been shrouded in mystery.  Some images reflect the ‘wine snob’ for whom only certain wines were acceptable.  Enter stage right is a character who want to feel confident about the wine they possess but feels a certain fear about it: ‘what does this selection say about me’ ‘what if I brought the wrong wine.’  Wine has interestingly been about a substance of allure and of mystery.  While for a long time wine was blessed by only a few… a wine writer / rater and only upon their anointment came acceptance.  Those who bestow a special status to a certain wine or label are still with us but the individual wine contributors is also weighing in.  Another positive trend is many people feeling comfortable about making a wine discovery… and enjoying the wine discovery experience.

Recently, I heard Eric Asimov speak and he suggested that maybe we should ‘re-
mystify’ wine… which made me think–has wine become so uninteresting?  That answer was a clear no.  Wine continues to captivate and delight.  We have come along way and to think that re-mystifying wine could only guarantee a way to make it less sought after and buck a trend of consumer enjoyment.

My business cards say ‘wine demystification” and that is because I have simply met too many people who felt uncertain about wine.  Beer and spirits don’t have that same conundrum.  Feeling comfortable about varietal, appellation and wine making technique is not something that anyone I know wants shrouded in mystery–and this comes from winemakers and winery owners and operators.  Making wine fully transparent is in everyone’s benefit.  Demystifying wine does not make it any less special or sought after.  Understanding wine and more importantly enjoying wine comes magic.  Wine is magical and a lingering evening of great food, family and friends and maybe not necessarily in that order comes that great descriptor – ‘magical.’

Not that every wine is magical but truly well made wines will impart that senses experience.  The lingering qualities live beyond the day or evening tasted but live on in a senses memory that ferments to a magical moment and memory.  So maybe those that desire only re-mystifying wine are missing the whole point of wine and those who enjoy it.  Free the grape and see the great moments create good foot prints and joyous tales.

¡Salud!

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Demystifying Wine…One Bottle at a Time from all wine regions around the world.

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Wines for the Season – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

I think there are some nuances in my wine service for the holiday season.
When I am hosting a dinner for the holidays I bring out wines that I have been waiting to taste for a while.  I feel like there is no time like now.  If you can’t enjoy a reserve or a patiently cellared wine that you have nurtured yourself.  Maybe the time is now.

I like to serve a Sparkling red; for me a sparkling red is a nice way to usher in a holiday toast.  A sparkling red like a Sparking Shiraz from Australia are phenomenal.  Not only does it look beautiful its flavor, effervescents and presentation go a long way.  Australians have been producing sparkling reds for a while.  Peter Rumball makes a sparkling Shiraz and sparkling Merlot.  There are American sparkling reds but so far my tastings have always sided with the Australians.  These people are passionate about their sparkling red while they do export this amazing wine they are also big consumers of it as well.

I do think the holidays are also about vintage Champagne.  Vintage champagne for me is an extra special treat.  One of my favourites has been Delamotte Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil-sur-Oger 1997 Vintage Champagne; just a few years ago I was buying this for $55-60 a bottle (which I thought was a bargain).  But the popularity of this wine coupled with the dollar falling down this bottle sells from $120 and up.

I also like to bring out my reserve Cabernet Sauvignons did anyone say Leonetti or Shafer or how about something that I have cellared for more than a decade?  I also like to bring out the stickies.  Tis the season to finish your meal with a Sauternes or Tokay?

Wine is expensive; even lesser expensive wines prove that even ounce per ounce this is an expensive beverage.  But life is worth sharing our harvest; sharing our hard work with others to say…. Our deepest, dearest appreciation, our fondest memories; wine is the social lubricant that brings us back together again for sacred moments; sacred moments near our homes hearth.

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¡Salud!

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions from around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2007 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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