It's a Grape Big World: My Experience with Wine

To start off the story about my journey of experiencing wine I will note that it probably began younger than most, I would assume. I am a, “Cradle Catholic”, as one is referred to when they are born into a family rich in Catholic faith and history. Conclusively, if anyone is familiar with this specific religion, you know that we like to drink! (I must also add that we are Irish Catholics if that displays a better picture). My knowledge and experience with wine, therefore, started at an early age when my parents would let me have a “taste” or a “try” as they liked to call it. In the beginning, I remember trying Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Noir specifically, because these were their varietal wines of choice. So I was also able to experience various terroirs over the last decade and a half, helping expose me to plentiful world of wine. However, at this age in my life I did not appreciate the “taste” of red wine and scoffed at the mere smell of it- that would all change in the years to come.

As I got older and “closer” to the age of picking out my own wines, I followed in my parents footsteps. I would buy whites, because that’s what my mom loved at that time and I wasn’t very choosey. I’d get a lighter, fruity variety though, because the dryness, as I would call it, of Chardonnay was not appealing to me. Generally, I’d choose a Pinot Grigio or Riesling and when it came to what bottle, I would normally go for a box because I was a young imbiber with little money (gotta do what you gotta do!) My go-to in the early days of my journey with wine included the infamous Franzia. Typically, the blush was mine and my roommate’s suspect of choice. Low cost, has a bag for activities, and the taste was bearable! In all honesty, this box wine phase of my life never went away completely, it just altered.

I remember a vivid moment during the biting winter in Norman, Oklahoma, when a light switched on in my head, and all of a sudden I was seeing red. I was sitting at a dinner with friends at Othello’s (R.I.P.), when I decided to go with this new feeling. I dove in and went for the comfortable choice of a glass of Pinot Noir. I received my beverage in larger glassware than I was accustom, to which I immediately fell in love at the sight, and began to embrace this new path I was about to go down. Ever since that first sip about 3 years ago, I’ve never looked back. The robust smells of this wine struck an excitement I had never felt- I was all in, 100% committed to the red wine or no wine life.

At the age of twenty-four I have now been able to embrace the excitement of trying wines. The varieties are immense and I welcome them with open arms, because sometimes you simply never know ‘til you try something! I love being able to sit at dinner with friends, watch movies, toast to new adventures, and embrace shortcomings all with the help of wine. I am truly excited to expand my wine pallet so that I can immerse myself deeper into this societal culture that I love.

From Champagnes and Rosés, to Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays, to Merlots and Cabernets- I am ready to continue my journey through the world of wine one drink (or bottle) at a time, and I can’t wait for this course to guide me along the way!