Looking Past the Big Names
The world of wine is full of interesting, different grape and wine types. Walk into just about any store and you might think every acre is planted with only Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, and that most wine available comes from three or four dozen big wineries. But passionate, committed vintners around the world continuously make small amounts of all sorts of wine, often for their own amusement, because they personally like the wine or for sentimental reasons. These are wineries (and wines) that you will rarely read about because they are so unique and make wines in such small quantities. As a group, though, there are quite a few of them out there. Some are made from grapes that are simply obscure. Others are made from grapes that are common but blended in an unusual or uncommon manner.
We can’t stress this too strongly: When you see a wine or varietal here that you have never seen before, give it a try and you’re likely to have a fun, interesting experience. It is impossible to know if you will like the wine, but part of the fun of wine is experiencing the unknown. An important lesson on the road to a genuine love of wine is appreciating wines that might not be exactly your cup of tea. Also, remember that different individuals enjoy different types and styles of wine. So it is always a good idea to have several types of wine on hand to insure that your family, friends, and guests have a choice.
