There’s a lot to love about wine. The ritual of uncorking the bottle, the clinking of glasses, the alchemy of selecting a food pairing … the list goes on. Lots to love.
Reading about wine gives me a vocabulary where I previously had none. Now, at least, I can describe wines to people in a thoughtful way, even if it’s in the typical “geeky way” of us Butterfields.
When I take that first sip of Carménère, for example, I’m usually transported to a lovely, but now defunct, winery in Walla Walla called Tertulia Cellars.
Standing at their graceful and arching tasting bar, I remember the first taste of Carménère poured for me. The duality of its black and green pepper notes – really elegant wine.