You Know More About Wine Than You Think

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Think you know nothing about wine? You're wrong.

You Know More About Wine Than You Think

The second-most-asked question I'm asked is, "Can you recommend a wine because I don't know anything about wine?" (The first question, if you're interested, is, "What's my favorite wine?").

Then that person immediately launches into a discussion about why they like a particular Chardonnay for its oak, vanilla, and yada yada yada!

And then the same person will talk about how much they love Barolo.

So, why do so many smart adults think they know nothing about wine when they actually know quite a bit? Weird huh!

Let's try to figure out why there are so many secret enophiles who are just afraid to admit it.

Wine Has a Confidence Problem

Unfortunately, wine itself has contributed mightily to this lack of confidence. The image of wine has been curated to foster a sense of mystery about it that's hard to penetrate. With foreign labels difficult to decipher, point scores, tasting notes that include descriptions like cigar box and barnyard, how can one not feel somewhat intimidated? It feels like a secret club, and you're missing the password to get in the door.

Realize that wine knowledge is not a vocabulary test or a geography exam. It's acknowledging your own senses and honing them. So, you like crisp wines over creamy wines. Congratulations, you can tell the difference between a wine that's spent time in steel versus one that's been in an oak barrel. You've already started building your internal tasting database.

Preference Is Knowledge

People dismiss their own instincts because they confuse preference with expertise and frankly don't want to appear stupid or ignorant.

Saying "I don't like sweet wine doesn't mean that you're an unsophisticated boob. It's just more sensory honing. You've identified residual sugar on your palate and decided how you feel about it. Real knowledge starts small.

Okay, nobody wakes up knowing what tannin is. We learn what tannin is by experiencing it. And, if you've been drinking red wine for years, you know that the drying sensation on your tongue is what tannin feels like. You've been conducting informal education the entire time.

You just didn't label it.

The Restaurant Anxiety Effect

Ordering wine in a restaurant can give even the most calm folks the hebe jeebies.

So when the server asks if you need help, the reflexive answer becomes: "I don't know much about wine."  The correct answer is, I know about wine, I don't want to appear foolish.

Wine anxiety is real. And it has nothing to do with intelligence. It has to do with perceived status.

Italian Wine: The Confidence Gap

And, call it wine insecurity, really gets going when it comes to Italian wine.

"I don't know much about Italian wines, but I wish I did."  What that means is that they know what Chianti is, and they like Barolo, Pinot Grigio, and Prosecco. They're overwhelmed by the labels. That doesn't equate to having no knowledge. It means that they don't understand the context…totally different things. 

Once you learn to understand regions rather than grapes, you'll get it.

And suddenly? You do know something.

The Real Takeaway

Remember:

·         You don't need certifications to have informed preferences.

·         You don't need to blind taste Burgundy to understand acidity.

·         You don't need to memorize DOCGs to appreciate balance.

If you've been drinking wine thoughtfully — even casually — you've been learning.

The difference between "I know nothing" and "I know a little" is usually just a matter of confidence. And confidence comes from realizing that your palate is already doing the work.

So next time you catch yourself saying you don't know anything about wine, try this instead: "I know what I like — and I'm learning why."  That's not ignorance; that's evolution.