You like wine?

Do you drink wine or do you taste it? I have never been one who loves to drink wine, cocktails or any alcoholic drink at that. Until I was asked "You like wine?" Hmmm, I might as well give it a try. It never hurts to sip or for those who are really into it, GULP. You'd probably catch me giving a toast with cold water or iced tea or sipping with the innocent look of a 4-year old.

I've always associated wine with older people (sorry guys) and formal parties. Wine is for those who are either old and wrinkly and simply for the coiffed hair party people who enjoy the company of dahlings and palanggas. As they say, learning to appreciate the finer things in life is about acquired taste and experience. My interest in wine started in the year 2005. Being in the company of older people, Friday nights were spent over pica picas, cheese and dinners with what else? Wine.

Having had the chance to visit Napa Valley, I visited the vineyard of the oldest operating winery called Beringer. In tow was my mom, Uncle Gerry, Auntie Grace and her mom. It was a 2 hour drive from San Francisco and we sure did start the day early. We joined a wine tour for a good 30 minutes and we were shown how it's all done. Barrels and barrels of wine it is in a deep cold underground tavern. At the end of the tour, there was a bar for wine tasting. Here goes the part when all the oldies storm the bar to take a sip of the red and white wines. So how do you begin the art of wine tasting?

First, you look. Look at the color and it can tell you much about what you're about to taste. Red wines and white wines vary. A deeper red would be different from a paler red wine. I think it also goes with the aging. The second step is the smell. Swirl. Take a quick whiff and you'll have an initial impression. This of course is not similar to what we do in our exercises of inhaling and exhaling. After you've taken your first whiff, take another deeper whiff. Ok. Think of x-rays and the technician instructing you to "Hinga ng malalim." *sniiiiiiiiiiiif* Just sit back and enjoy the aroma. You'll be able to smell what's in your wine. It takes experience to tell the difference. Maybe this is where the oldies come into play. Years and years of swirling and whiffing and toasting. More wine please! For the last part, taste the wine. Take a sip. What you'll taste is a combination of sweetness and acidity. There's an intial taste and an after taste. It can be a combination of fruits so it is good to pay attention. For me, having gone through my look, smell and taste, I love white wines more than red wines. The taste is mild and just right to get me tipsy on a Friday night.


To enjoy your wine, you of course need the company of good friends. So raise those glasses and let's drink to friendship, men and the art of wine. Cheers! *hik!*