Wine Enthusiast Magazine
SubscribeWhat is it about human nature that pushes us to rate and classify our experiences and objects? I cannot begin to guess how many times I have been asked, “What’s your favorite wine?” My stock answer–and I repeat it here in the hope that at least no one who reads this blog will ask me again–is that it depends.
One of the things I enjoy most about wine is the sheer diversity of it. Given a wide enough selection, I can generally find a wine to please me regardless of the situation, whereas I have yet to find the single wine that will please me all of the time–nor do I particularly want to.
Give me a warm spring day and my thoughts turn toward Rieslings from the Mosel. A scorching hot summer day might push me toward a rosé from Provence. A wet, dreary November evening and I might reach for a warming Amarone. A dark, cold Christmas filled with the spice-laden aromas of the season means Port.
Of course, there’s more than seasonality to my list of “favorites.” It might depend on location, or food pairing, or both of these, plus seasonality. In Adelaide, oysters in January make a young, bracing Eden Valley Riesling my favorite, while moments later, with the main of braised lamb and a cold draft pouring in the flimsy window, I’m more inclined to prefer the Barossa Shiraz.
These days, with better vinegrowing and winemaking practices, almost every wine has its place. Even some mass-produced wine featuring a cute stylized animal on the label might be perfect for a distant cousin’s 300-person wedding. (Or not, depending on the cousin and what beer is on tap.)
So if you have a favorite wine, that’s great. Good for you. But don’t ask me what mine is. It depends.
Filed under: Connoisseurship, Food Pairing, Opinions and Commentary
6 Comments
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:01:35 AM
Just love this post. I write a wine newsletter and I am frequently asked the same question. Its fascinating to see the blank stares that follow when I say something similar to ‘it depends’. I think I am going to print out a few copies of this article and next time I am asked this question, I’ll just hand them a copy . But then do I give them your version or mine? It depends.
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:22:59 AM
Here here Joe! I cannot tell you how many times I’m asked this question. I struggle with picking just 1 favorite of anything but with wine it’s especially tough. I wish I had a solid answer but I always say: “It depends. Anything that’s made well!”
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:49:17 AM
You gotta love the idea of “it depends on what the mood is” Beer drinkers cant really do that. So many flavors, so many climates, so many different scenerios. when someone ask me i usually say the kind with GRAPES! ALOHA!
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:05:25 PM
Excellent, informative post! But a bit on the question of classification. As someone who has (hopefully) morphed from a total neophyte to a now relatively informed (though still novice) wine drinker, I have learned not to ask what’s your favorite wine but rather what are some of your favorites, in the hopes of generating a response like this. People just delving into a subject like wine need some starting points, some guidelines on quality so that they too can start to develop their own palates; asking about favorites is an easier go-to than something like “which wine is best when the spice-laden aromas of Christmas fills the air”?
It’s the same situation with music. In general, I am too intimated to ask a musician or die-hard music lover about their top songs and bands—it always depends on what tune the mood/day/situation/crowd calls for. But I must admit (a bit sheepishly) that I have learned about some of my most beloved bands from the “favorite music” section on friend’s facebook profiles, or by letting my guard down and finally bringing up the dreaded “f-word” face-to-face ”(it’s always in the plural though).
June 8th, 2009 at 1:54:38 PM
I have to sorta disagree. My favorite wine is Champagne. After that, it depends on where I am, the food, and the budget (i.e. “it depends”). I used to bring good wines home to KY for Christmas and realized that under $5 suited the relatives just fine. Unfortunately, (ha ha) the younger ones are now becoming connoisseurs….
June 9th, 2009 at 1:05:41 PM
I agree with your ‘ it depends on the mood ‘ , but then again if someone ask me the question I do have some wines and regions that I prefer in general.