Stan The Wine Man

Business is starting to ramp up at the store. The sun is luring people to our beautiful island, and of course, they are spending money. This is a very interesting fact about our wine department. Many of the unique wines I have in the wine set do not sell during the fall and winter months. However, they start selling at a fairly good clip in spring and summer. The reason for this is the different types of customers who go through the store. I have regular customers who like to dive into the eclectic side of wine purchasing. They are adventurous and like to try new and interesting things. That type of customer increases tenfold in the spring and summer. Items that just sat on the shelf for months are now selling out. Although this happens every year, it still continues to surprise me.

Speaking of adventurous purchasing, I recently discovered a wine from the Loire Valley in France made from a grape I’ve never heard of. The grape is Pineau d’Aunis (Pinot Denise), which was quite popular decades ago and is now rarely produced by wineries. Even though I have been deeply engrossed in the wine world for years, I continue discovering new things. This is why I love being a part of this intriguing, fascinating field of study and enjoyment. What kind of wine does this grape make? Very light in color. At first glance, you might assume it will be thin and lack flavor. Au contraire my friend. This baby is packed with flavors, joined by interesting spice notes. The acidity is balanced and the tannins are light. You could put a slight chill on it if you wanted to have a refreshing glass of wine on a warm summer evening. Certainly more complex than a Rose’ and a very versatile red for light summer fare. I was very excited to discover this little gem from the Loire Valley. I intend to do a couple of YouTube episodes highlighting lighter reds for the spring and summer. They should be out soon.

I’m still ruminating about the decline in wine consumption in the U.S. Based on my experience in the wine world, I have some strong opinions about why that is. There’s a lot of talk about the younger consumers who have switched to ready-to-serve cocktails, hard seltzers, and, evidently, edibles (you know, those brownies made with some weed). I’m sure those are valid points, but I also think there are some other reasons for the decline of interest in wine.

I’ve probably mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. I loved the show Somm, which featured five sommeliers working to pass the final exam to become Master Sommeliers. It was well done and very interesting for those of us who are deeply involved in the wine world. However, I think it was quite intimidating for anyone else who knows very little about this spectrum of wine education and wine careers. No, you don’t have to be able to identify wines in the blind format and know every detail about certain wine regions and varietals. To enjoy wine, all you have to know is what you like and maybe a little about why you like it. Also, it doesn’t have to be a weird wine or expensive. As good as that show is, I think it inadvertently promotes a bit of wine snobbery. The individuals in the show are striving to enhance their careers and they are obsessed with the subject of wine. That is a very narrow group of people and one that most of us will never try or want to be a part of.

As a wine consumer, be entertained by such shows, but don’t let them intimidate you. Enjoying a glass of wine is not something that should be complex. Also, it doesn’t have to be an expensive venture. There are many really good wines out there that you can get your hands on for under twenty-five bucks and quite a few under twenty dollars. As you get your feet wet in the wine world, you may want to try new things and learn more about what you are drinking. However, this is not a necessity for the enjoyment of wine. We’ve heard this before, and it’s true. Wine is a beverage that can be enjoyed with a meal or simply by itself. In moderation, it is also healthy for you. It is not a mysterious thing, and don’t let anyone tell you differently.

Cheers!

Stan The Wine Man