Wine

So you’ve been drinking wine for quite awhile now. You have memorized the layout of wines at the local grocery store, and you may even notice when your favorite wines go on sale. Perhaps you’ve ventured from the comparative safety (anonymity) of the grocery store and into one of the wine shops dotting the shores of Mobile Bay.

Don’t kid yourself: Entering a store that only sells wine takes some courage. Doing so marks a distinct transformation in your purchases; from high production, nationally available wines to lesser-known, handpicked selections. This doesn’t mean you’ll be spending more money for a bottle of wine though! Wine shops regularly offer great wines for far less then you’d pay for average wines. Sooner or later wine drinkers end up buying wine from wine shops, and sooner or later you’ll be invited to a wine tasting.

A wine tasting is like a first kiss. It is scary, exciting and absolutely critical to developing tasting skills. You can be a passive participant; tasting quietly and listening receptively to the other tasters. Or you can do your best impression of Miles from “Sideways” and audibly disclose every conceivable detail of the wines as they present themselves. Regardless of your approach, a quick discussion of wine tastings and tasting etiquette will surely increase your enjoyment and understanding of wine tastings.

Wine tastings range from informal gatherings to formal seated affairs. The typical wine shop tasting will have six or more wines set up on a table with a knowledgeable person pouring them. Expect to pay $10 for a normal tasting (may include cheese and crackers or snacks, but certainly doesn’t have to), and considerably more for a high-end tasting.

If the tasting has a time range (12 p.m.-5 p.m.) then you can pop in at any time (these are generally free). If the tasting starts at 1p.m., you should be there five minutes early (someone will most likely discuss each wine as they pour and you don’t want to be late). When in doubt, call the wine shop and find out the exact details (cost, formality, time, etc).

Wine tastings bring out the best and worst in people. Alcohol, wine geeks and the pressure of sharing your personal tastes can create some bizarre scenarios! The tasting coordinator will do his/her best to put everyone at ease and run an enjoyable tasting, but invariably, situations will arise.

To maximize everyone’s enjoyment of the wine tasting, consider the following advice. Cigar smoke, body odor and strong perfume may deter from your (and everyone else’s) tasting ability and enjoyment. Many lipsticks contain animal fat: shiny lips will flatten even the bubbliest of Champagnes, so bring a tube along for afterwards if you must.

Wine tastings are often led by winery owners, winemakers and suppliers (people who really care about these wines). Don’t underestimate the power of your praises and criticisms. Don’t attempt to pour the wine yourself either – one bottle of wine usually needs to serve 20 people.

You are ready for your first wine tasting! With all of the wine shops in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, you can easily attend tastings weekly or bi-weekly. I’ve listed a few wine shops with their general locations and phone numbers to get you started. There are certainly other wine shops in the area that hold tastings, but I know these do. (Wine shops must have an on-premise license to hold tastings)

House of Blends, Old Shell Road (Mobile) (251-380-9463)

Vino E Grappa, Highway 90 (Daphne) (251-447-0905)

Red or White Wine Discount Center, De La Mare Ave (Fairhope) (251-990-0003)

The Wine Store, 2nd Street (Gulf Shores) (251-967-4772)

Contact Matt Devan at wineguy@lagniappemobile.com.

Archives