I am often asked about what wineries to visit when in one of many wine countries. And that is an interesting question, a personal question about what one seeks from a winery experience.
It’s like asking a most personal question on many variables; those variables are what do you seek and what do you want from a wine country experience that will elevate your heart and soul. After all there is no one-size-fits-all with wines or wineries or many other things.
When you hear the word “wine country” there is an almost immediate expectation of an outstanding experience that is emblazoned on your person. It is almost seeking the magical and to transport you to a place, a time of the utmost in great wines and great feelings.
In my review, I take into account a few of these variables and many more:
- The wineries specialization
- Tours offered
- Wines produced
- Winery and vineyard grounds
- Pouring-staff (knowledge, welcoming, selling)
- Winemaker(s) vision
- Cost of experience (tasting room fees)
- Does the winery encourage visiting other wineries (i.e. make recommendations?)
- Tasting room (gifts, wines)
- Tasting room collateral material (do you have a tasting notes sheet—so you can recall what you enjoyed)
Is your wine country journey extended or does it come to an abrupt end? This review process is just that—there is no final word and like vintages of wine tasting rooms and wineries and they will be updated over time.
Like my wine reviews, I use a 10-point scale system. While 8.0 to 8.9 is good (it should be read as good getting to nearly great). But ranking in the 9.0 to 10.0 is great to exquisitely great. This scale is logarithmic and each tenth of a point is harder to get then the next and that there should be fewer as we get to 10.
And now there are many tasting rooms sans winery across the country in urban landscapes. There is nothing like tasting wine and when you can taste for yourself tasting does become believing and doing so in it’s birthplace also deserves some thoughts as well.
¡Salud!
***
A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2006 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved. James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.
See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy
¡Salud!
Also available on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42231382951
Also available on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/jamesthewineguy
Other blogs:
jamesthefoodguy.wordpress.com
jamesthespiritsguy.wordpress.com
jamestherestaurantguy.wordpress.com
jamesthetravelguy.wordpress.com
jamesthedesignguy.wordpress.com
jamesandthecity.wordpress.com
jamesthemusicguy.wordpress.com
jamesthetechguy.wordpress.com
jamesthecustomerexperienceguy.wordpress.com
northamericanfoodproject.wordpress.com
jamesthemarketingguy.wordpress.com
jamesthebeerguy.wordpress.com
