On the comments from your judge in training, each individual has a different range of sensitivities to odors, tastes, acids, tannins, residual sugars, sulfur, and alcohol, among others. Some scientists say we start with sensitivities coded into our DNA and then expand our horizons and fine-tune our preferences by personal experiences. This is even demonstrated in blind tasting programs with Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine. Their preferences vary. They have developed vocabularies over the decades and markers for wine varietals (e.g. new-mown hay as a starter for Sauvignon Blanc, berries and cassis for Cabernet Sauvignon, stone fruit for Chardonnay). These experts are good at noting when others pick up different nuances and favorites. This gets to the bottom line of enjoying wine: if you like it, it's good, even if you don’t have the technical vocabulary to describe it, and no matter what anyone else might think or score.
Agree, and smart analogy with the stereo shop or any other highly evolved product. I first noticed wine snobbery was alienating back in the 1990s, the discussion of wine had become exclusive. Well, now that the snobs excluded a couple generations of wine drinkers, here we are. Whoops!
On the comments from your judge in training, each individual has a different range of sensitivities to odors, tastes, acids, tannins, residual sugars, sulfur, and alcohol, among others. Some scientists say we start with sensitivities coded into our DNA and then expand our horizons and fine-tune our preferences by personal experiences. This is even demonstrated in blind tasting programs with Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine. Their preferences vary. They have developed vocabularies over the decades and markers for wine varietals (e.g. new-mown hay as a starter for Sauvignon Blanc, berries and cassis for Cabernet Sauvignon, stone fruit for Chardonnay). These experts are good at noting when others pick up different nuances and favorites. This gets to the bottom line of enjoying wine: if you like it, it's good, even if you don’t have the technical vocabulary to describe it, and no matter what anyone else might think or score.
Very important points. Thank you.
Agree, and smart analogy with the stereo shop or any other highly evolved product. I first noticed wine snobbery was alienating back in the 1990s, the discussion of wine had become exclusive. Well, now that the snobs excluded a couple generations of wine drinkers, here we are. Whoops!