UC wrote:
> Ben Snyder wrote:
>> Hello all
>>
>> Since I've asked a couple questions recently, I thought it would be a
>> good idea to introduce myself.
>>
>> I'm a married guy (wife and four kids) in southern Vermont, USA. I've
>> loved wine since I was old enough to drink it, though never really got
>> too far into it. Started a very small collection, totaled about a case,
>> about six years ago. At the time I liked Beaujolais-Villages, some
>> light Cabs, and number one was Alsatian Gewurztraminer. After moving to
>> VT and keeping only a few bottles from the collection, I found no one to
>> enjoy wine with. Wife doesn't drink at all.
>>
>> Several months ago, my brother-in-law watched Sideways. He was so
>> inspired by it that he came to visit, and declared we will now be wine
>> aficionados. OK, no problem here. Since then, every week I have hosted
>> a wine tasting/family meal for both of our families. Which is
>> excellent, I love to cook, and of course wine :-)
>>
>> The good part of this is obvious - someone to enjoy wine with. Hardest
>> part was getting brother-in-law off of the Pinot kick. Tasting pinots
>> side by side every week gets a little tedious. Sideways, I love you and
>> hate you... But thankfully now we have branched out into different
>> wines. When I purchase a bottle of white, it's usually not embraced
>> with open arms, though it does get tasted and enjoyed. The rose I have
>> for today is really going to cause a stir...
>>
>> I happen to prefer reds as long as they are not too tannic, pretty much
>> equal preference between a French style and California style. For
>> whites, I still enjoy the rose and lychee nose of a good Gewurz, and
>> Sauvignon Blanc on occasion. Only had one Chard which I enjoyed, but it
>> was really, really good. I'm learning more about French wines, but
>> Italian wines are still a mystery to me. And mostly I stick to the
>> mid-grade wines, with the rare foray into the upper-mid grade offerings.
>>
>> After I get some more experience with coherent tasting notes, I'll be
>> posting them.
>>
>> -ben
>
> Typical Americans. They think that 'tasting' is the way to learn about
> wine. Stop the tasting and start drinking them, with food. Do not
> 'evaluate' the wines. Drink them and enjoy them. Note which ones you
> liked best, and do nothing else. Do not 'over-think' this. Do you make
> 'tasting notes' of every chicken you eat?
>
> Damn!

Is there such a thing as a 'typical American?' If so, please enlighten
me. I am absolutely tired of Americans being bashed because of
prejudices against us by people of other cultures.

I do make tasting notes of particularly complex dishes that I make, yes.
The purpose is so that I can repeat the experience. Simple fare like
hamburgers, of course not. Key points are complexity and expense - if a
wine is expensive then I will take good notes so I can either avoid or
purchase what I like in the future. Not taking notes can lead to poor
choices, and wasted money. As I get better at knowing my likes and
dislikes, my notes get shorter.

-ben