I had a couple of encounters this past month that reminded me just how much I love what I do. First, a young lady who may have been thirty years old, but probably in her mid-twenties approached me in the wine aisle to ask a question. It’s not unusual to be approached with a question about wine by a younger person. The unusual part was what she asked me about. I would have expected something like “Where is the Moscato?” No, this young lady wanted to know if I would be getting more of the 2016 Bordeaux that was missing on the shelf. I assured her that it would be in this week, and she walked away with a smile, saying that it was a very good Bordeaux. I get so excited when I see younger folk taking an interest in wine and especially when they stretch out and try different things. I reviewed that very Bordeaux on my YouTube channel and it was stellar. It warmed my heart that a younger wine drinker invested in the wine and discovered a real gem. I know it may sound geeky to a lot of you, but my goal as a wine guy is to help as many as possible expand their palate horizons and discover the many unusual and great wines that are out there.
Yesterday I noticed a customer spending a bit of time perusing the aisle. I approached and asked if she needed some help finding something. She told me that she was getting ready to take the first level Somm exam and was doing some research prior to the class. I love running into people that have enough interest in wine that they would jump into the Somm world to educate themselves. She was very impressed with our selection of wines and although I left her to make her own decisions, I still watched as she shopped the more eclectic sections of the wine department. I hope the best for her, and once again, those are the moments that make me love my job.
On a global note, the sacred region of Bordeaux, a part of the world where tradition and strict guidelines for winemaking are their religion, are about to do something that most wine people would consider unheard of. The Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur Association have made the decision to allow the planting of seven new grape varietals in the region. That is big news from an area known for their staunch rules and traditions. The move to plant the new varietals is being made due to global warming. Four reds and three whites will be included in this decision. The reds will include Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Arinarnoa and Castets. White varietals will be Liliorila, Alvarinho and Petit Manseng. In an attempt to keep the integrity of the Bordeaux region, they will approach this change with caution. We live in different times for sure and it is interesting to see how grape growers will deal with climate change. If you are a Bordeaux fanatic, don’t get your shorts in a knot. They will not be tearing out Merlot and Cab to be replaced with the new varietals. This is all about research and development in dealing with climate change and making sure we can still enjoy wines from that part of the world. I find it both interesting and a bit unnerving.
On a more uplifting note, Susie and I are in the planning stages of taking a trip to Italy and the Southern Rhone. I love traveling with my wife and am looking forward to visiting places we have never been to. I will be contacting wineries and trying to set up interviews for my YouTube channel. Susie will handle the planning of the trip (which she is very good at) and I will handle the winery visits. I will keep you posted as things develop.
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
