During fall 2005, I began researching Thomas Jefferson’s motivations for constructing his home at Monticello. I came across a collection of Jefferson’s correspondence in which he ordered wine from Europe and debated the flavors and aromas of popular bottles. Until this research project, I had no real knowledge of wine. I knew it was a mixture of grape juice and alcohol — the latter being the important ingredient to a college senior. As I read letter after letter discussing vines, grape varietals and wine regions, I became fascinated. How could these aristocrats take fermented grape juice so seriously? Moreover, how does one even go about learning about these things? How does one become a connoisseur? From my ragtag experiences, I would like to offer a few suggestions about how you can educate yourself about the world of wine.
The first step is to read. Educating oneself in winemaking techniques, world geography, labeling laws and basic tasting technique is essential to becoming a connoisseur. Almost every country in the world makes wine, and each region will grow different grapes, have different soil composition and climate, and use different techniques to produce wine. An understanding of terms, processes and regions is absolutely requisite to becoming a wine enthusiast. The best book for beginners is undoubtedly Kevin Zraly’s “Windows on the World Complete Wine Course,” which is available at most bookstores and even some wine stores. Zraly was a sommelier — a wine expert — at the restaurant atop the World Trade Center and has now become a wine writer and educator in New York City. Reading his book will give you a solid foundation in wine knowledge. For those wishing more in-depth, encyclopedic knowledge, “The Oxford Companion to Wine” defines or explains just about everything in the world of wine.
The second step is to go to wine tastings around the Charlottesville area. Many wine stores have free tastings for visitors on the weekend. Market Street Wineshop & Grocery, for example, on the Downtown Mall has a sizable tasting Fridays, while its sister store on Route 29 has them Saturdays. Although these gatherings tend to get a little crowded, they are a great way to hone your tasting technique and entrench yourself in wine discussions. After a few visits, you will become more comfortable tasting wine and discussing its attributes. Furthermore, you will be exposed to all kinds of wine from around the world. A connoisseur gains expertise through worldly tasting experiences.
Another great way to improve your tasting technique and to learn about wine is by visiting the plethora of vineyards in the central Virginia wine region known as Monticello. We are very fortunate to be ensconced in such a vibrant and burgeoning wine industry. Get yourself a Monticello Wine Trail Map, take an awe-inspiring drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley, and visit a few wineries. Take an afternoon and drive through the picturesque horse farms toward Barboursville. All of these vineyards offer tastings and even tours of their winemaking facilities. Ask questions of the tasting room staff. At some of the smaller wineries, you can even talk with the winemaker! Visiting these vineyards provides knowledge of what grapes are used in Virginia wine and what winemaking techniques can bring them to full and elegant fruition.
My last piece of advice is to avoid misusing your newfound knowledge by becoming a snob. One albatross that unfortunately hangs over wine lovers is the assumption that they are pretentious, obnoxious and condescending. To be sure, there are people who go to wine tastings and vineyards to show off their knowledge in front of others. Do not be one of these people! Remember that becoming a wine connoisseur should be a way of connecting you with other people. Drinking alone is never fun. In the end, learning about wine demonstrates why it is more than just grape juice. It should be a way of stirring conversations, comparing tasting notes, learning about new wine regions and styles, and making memories with friends and family.
Jeff’s column runs biweekly Wednesdays. He can be reached at j.katra@cavalierdaily.com.
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