As we sat around the tasting table in the office last Friday, an interesting question was posed. Pick the grape you hate the most and a producer who you feel makes the best version of it.
This was a very difficult question for me to answer. It was a simple, but very thought-provoking question that gave me pause, especially since I enjoy just about anything. Before you think of me as simple and lacking a palate, let me qualify that statement first. My general feeling is that as long as a wine is well-made and “interesting” I can say that I enjoyed that wine, regardless of the grape or producer.
In fact, I think that anything produced is worth trying, and although there have been many wines I’ve tasted along the way that made me gag, I’ve always reaped a certain joy and satisfaction for at least knowing and tasting what a bad version of the grape was. A big reason I got into the retail sector of the wine business is because I enjoy abundantly the exploration of wine.
I remember celebrity chef and author Anthony Bourdain once said something along the lines of “…needing to eat and taste everything, especially the junk food, to truly appreciate fine dining caliber food.” I imagine that in the culinary field, the more flavors you’re exposed to, whether appealing ones or repulsive ones, the better a chef you ultimately become. The wine world is no different. Over the years, I’ve become a better professional and have honed my palate by applying this same concept.
By the way, if you were wondering what my answer to the question was, here it is. I’m not a big fan of sauvignon blanc, but I think Adam Tolmach of Ojai Vineyards makes a very intriguing version. It has great intensity, weight, stony qualities and fruit flavors that skew more towards citrus rind rather than citrus juice. The spiny acid and backbone gives you the option to put this down in the cellar for a few years as well. Good stuff.
Now it’s time to ask you, our loyal fans and customers, the same question – What producer makes a great wine out of the one grape you are least fond of? We look forward to hearing your thoughts and responses!
