This column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Order from Arrowine’s expanding online store for curbside pickup or in-store shopping. Have a question? Email thenose@
This question often perplexes those of us in the industry. However, the answer, in its essence, is remarkably straightforward.
The younger generation aren’t collectors. The more you have, the more you have to move, and young people move around a lot these days for work or personal interests. Then there is the patience factor; a great bottle of wine needs time to develop into something grand. Not to mention, the snobbery thing doesn’t sit well with some.
But let’s look at what works on any level of wine appreciation. Wine tastes good and completes and heightens any culinary experience. It can turn even microwaved leftovers into something special. Then, there is the social aspect; wine is meant to be shared, contemplated, and discussed. There is no harm in enjoying a glass by yourself, but wine tastes better when shared in good company.
Understanding wine is easy. Most of it is geography, where the grapes were grown and the wine made. You need to know the basics. No one expects anyone to identify a wine blind and correctly identify it. That’s ridiculous for this discussion.
Wine is history and speaks to our past, who we are, and where we came from. Many Sunday afternoon lunches with family and friends always included wine. It was part of our culture and a remembrance of the “old country.” And that aspect should be cherished. It is who we are.
If you like to travel, wine can be your passport and companion. Anyone who has visited greater Europe, South America, Australia, or New Zealand will find that enjoying wine is part of the culture. Visiting a place and enjoying the local foods and wines are the sources of magical moments we will never forget.
Like playing golf, understanding and selecting a wine has become intrinsically interwoven with climbing the corporate ladder. Choosing the perfect wine for a business dinner is a plus. Trust me, you don’t need to be an expert; a few simple tips will suffice. You need to get started.
And that is what I’m here for. Nothing pleases me more than helping young people explore the world of wine. It is a fascinating journey that never ends and is constantly changing. There are few absolutes and a lot of surprises along the way. Like music and art, appreciation of wine is one of life’s great pleasures. Just come on in and get started.
One of the best ways to explore and learn about wine is our Friday (4:30- 6:30 pm), Arlington’s Happy Hour evening, and Saturday (1-4 pm) tastings. There is no charge, and we often have cheeses to complete the experience.
We feature a multitude of wines on our email specials, which have been instrumental not just in educating clients but also saving them a heck of a lot of money for well over 25 years. You can sign up right here at Arrowine.com. Everything we sell is guaranteed. If you don’t like it, bring it back. No harm done, no bad feelings. I don’t want you to drink anything that doesn’t please you. Trust is crucial. I have one of the best track records in the business and was the first to bring many highly-rated wines to the United States.
In closing, could you think of me as “your personal wine guide.” I’m always here to help you!
Doug Rosen
