What I don’t know is greater than what I do know, but some of my select knowledge is sound. I actually spend time and money on my education. You can imagine the hardship. Last Fall I discovered a wine from the Languedoc region. It is so good and at such an amazing price point, that I don’t share the information. There is a wine store in Albany that stocks it and ships. But this winter I decided it would be good to find a local wine store that would stock it. Through random selection based on another wine for which I was searching, I found a ‘local’ store. I asked the owner if he could order this 2009 wine. He hemmed and hawed and said he’d have to order 3.5 cases to meet the price point I want. I said 3 was a bit much, but I’d sit on it. Decided to go with a case, which he then said was incentive for him to order it. In the meantime I bought a couple of his suggestions and discovered he and I don’t have the same palate at all. I don’t believe in the rating system – sort of wines for dummies and believe terroir is what makes a great wine. Was concerned that he was not going to like his 2.5 cases of my choice. So, not certain what to expect, went to pick up the case yesterday. When I entered his store, I saw ‘John’ was grinning from ear to ear; he said he could not wait to tell me. The previous night he had his monthly wine tasting. He had 6 wines to showcase. He began with the 2009 from Languedoc. He said within 30 minutes he had sold the 2.5 cases and he had to restrain his assistant from breaking open the one he was holding for me. He was beside himself with glee; it made him look like a hero to his ‘club’. [He used to sell wine, but he is heavy on liquor – given his location and his wine knowledge is thin, he was a salesman pushing not recommending]. He is apparently interested in all the help he can get. So now he has ordered 6 more cases of the wine
and I’m quietly feeding him information about other varietals that he doesn’t know. This could be great fun!