To wine and dine

Sweet pear... a hint of oakiness... a whisper of lilac... wine lovers all over will recognize these phrases and countless more. I've had the opportunity recently to learn a lot about wine, both production and tasting. It's amazing how you can get such an array of flavors and aromas by the relatively simple act of fermentation.

I do love to talk food, and wine grants the perfect forum. It's great to sit down with a few wines and a few friends and just drink, talk, and enjoy. You can get so much out of a good wine. Really get in there and try to think about what you're smelling. You do have to train yourself - the part of your brain that recognizes those smells is, unfortunately, separate from the part that knows their names. But don't worry, a bridge can be built. Who knew alcohol would help with a construction project? It just takes some practice.

Tastes are just as complex. Often the taste of a wine won't correspond exactly with the aromas. Take note of where it hits on the tongue - does it land on the front? Or maybe it's heavier and sits more toward the back. Or maybe it rolls through a cycle rather than deciding on just one area. And what of the finish? Does it taper off quickly, or do you get a range of aftertones?

There's a reason that people will travel to wine tastings. There's a lot to be found inside that glass if you care to look. This is what makes wine such a great center for discussion. Talk about the tastes, the aromas, why you like it, what you like better.

All of this, and still no mention of food... and what a mention it deserves. There are plenty of wines that are just fabulous on their own. However, mixing wine with food can bring a whole new set of flavors that neither component alone can offer. Some wines pair wonderfully with cheeses, some are great with meats... the list goes on and on. As far as I'm concerned, any area that has an expert that makes more money than I can likely dream of in a year (we're talking about sommeliers, in case you're wondering) is an area worth noting.

That said, there's nothing against simply enjoying a glass of wine. As I've mentioned before, I may be a food snob but I don't like to be pretentious. There's nothing wrong with simply enjoying a nice glass of wine without having to worry about some big to-do with every swig.

If you feel up to it, take the time once in a while to really sit back and enjoy the wine, and maybe compare a few notes.

Live well, eat well, drink well.