I am one of those ex-customers. Reading this post, it just dawned on me that my relationship with Ryan helped to change the way I view wine, both philosophically and in actual practice.
In the past, I was one of those people who subscribed to the industry mags and had been a number chaser for many years. Granted, I was able to drink many highly rated wines and "best buys" over the years, but it's tiring, time consuming and really blinds you to anything else. I think I was leaning away from that direction when I stumbled into Ryan's store that first time, looking for something to go with ribeyes on the grill. I say this because the old me would have done all the research before venturing out to buy something. If my coveted bottles werent' available I was unhappy and unwilling to allow any store clerk to provide recommendations. I honestly don't remember what wine I bought that night, although it was probably a Bordeaux and I'm sure I didn't ask for his recommendation (I was probably too intimidated by his shaved head and goatee :-) ). Over time, however, that changed as we got to know each other. At a certain point, I pretty much allowed Ryan to put the wines in my cart. For the most part, wines I would have poo-poo'ed in the past. He got me to look beyond the numbers, and the hype. Which brings us to today. I recently hit the Surdyk's Fall Sale and came away with a multitude of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French wines, most of them from the bottom shelves, none of them which I had ever tried or read about before. I give Ryan a lot of credit for opening my eyes to the realization that there are many well-made wines out there that deserve to be enjoyed, and that one need not worry about ratings.
I support what you guys are doing. I think it's a great idea. But, I do miss having Ryan put wine bottles in my cart..
Bill
· 2 years ago
I am one of those ex-customers. Reading this post, it just dawned on me that my relationship with Ryan helped to change the way I view wine, both philosophically and in actual practice.
In the past, I was one of those people who subscribed to the industry mags and had been a number chaser for many years. Granted, I was able to drink many highly rated wines and "best buys" over the years, but it's tiring, time consuming and really blinds you to anything else. I think I was leaning away from that direction when I stumbled into Ryan's store that first time, looking for something to go with ribeyes on the grill. I say this because the old me would have done all the research before venturing out to buy something. If my coveted bottles werent' available I was unhappy and unwilling to allow any store clerk to provide recommendations. I honestly don't remember what wine I bought that night, although it was probably a Bordeaux and I'm sure I didn't ask for his recommendation (I was probably too intimidated by his shaved head and goatee :-) ). Over time, however, that changed as we got to know each other. At a certain point, I pretty much allowed Ryan to put the wines in my cart. For the most part, wines I would have poo-poo'ed in the past. He got me to look beyond the numbers, and the hype. Which brings us to today. I recently hit the Surdyk's Fall Sale and came away with a multitude of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French wines, most of them from the bottom shelves, none of them which I had ever tried or read about before. I give Ryan a lot of credit for opening my eyes to the realization that there are many well-made wines out there that deserve to be enjoyed, and that one need not worry about ratings.
I support what you guys are doing. I think it's a great idea. But, I do miss having Ryan put wine bottles in my cart..
Ryan
· 2 years ago
Thanks Bill for the comment. I'm glad to see I had some effect on at least one person! ;-)
You've hit the nail on the head as to my philosophy that conversation and relationships are the most important part of wine. Maybe the reason we still have a "non-wine-culture" is because people still think they need to "understand" wine to enjoy it. While this can add to an experience, it's not the whole experience.
I look forward to many more bottles shared in the near future!
Ryan Opaz
· 2 years ago
Thanks Bill for the comment. I'm glad to see I had some effect on at least one person! ;-) You've hit the nail on the head as to my philosophy that conversation and relationships are the most important part of wine. Maybe the reason we still have a "non-wine-culture" is because people still think they need to "understand" wine to enjoy it. While this can add to an experience, it's not the whole experience.
I look forward to many more bottles shared in the near future!
Dr. Debs
· 2 years ago
Ryan, I think this is the right move. Moreover, without editors and advertising execs breathing down our necks, who can take wine writing in this direction if not bloggers? Here's to everyday wine culture!
Dr. Debs
· 2 years ago
Ryan, I think this is the right move. Moreover, without editors and advertising execs breathing down our necks, who can take wine writing in this direction if not bloggers? Here's to everyday wine culture!
Bill
· 2 years ago
Gite, Version 2008. Coming soon. There's an opportunity to share more bottles!
Bill
· 2 years ago
Gite, Version 2008. Coming soon. There's an opportunity to share more bottles!
All Comments
In the past, I was one of those people who subscribed to the industry mags and had been a number chaser for many years. Granted, I was able to drink many highly rated wines and "best buys" over the years, but it's tiring, time consuming and really blinds you to anything else. I think I was leaning away from that direction when I stumbled into Ryan's store that first time, looking for something to go with ribeyes on the grill. I say this because the old me would have done all the research before venturing out to buy something. If my coveted bottles werent' available I was unhappy and unwilling to allow any store clerk to provide recommendations. I honestly don't remember what wine I bought that night, although it was probably a Bordeaux and I'm sure I didn't ask for his recommendation (I was probably too intimidated by his shaved head and goatee :-) ). Over time, however, that changed as we got to know each other. At a certain point, I pretty much allowed Ryan to put the wines in my cart. For the most part, wines I would have poo-poo'ed in the past. He got me to look beyond the numbers, and the hype. Which brings us to today. I recently hit the Surdyk's Fall Sale and came away with a multitude of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French wines, most of them from the bottom shelves, none of them which I had ever tried or read about before. I give Ryan a lot of credit for opening my eyes to the realization that there are many well-made wines out there that deserve to be enjoyed, and that one need not worry about ratings.
I support what you guys are doing. I think it's a great idea. But, I do miss having Ryan put wine bottles in my cart..
In the past, I was one of those people who subscribed to the industry mags and had been a number chaser for many years. Granted, I was able to drink many highly rated wines and "best buys" over the years, but it's tiring, time consuming and really blinds you to anything else. I think I was leaning away from that direction when I stumbled into Ryan's store that first time, looking for something to go with ribeyes on the grill. I say this because the old me would have done all the research before venturing out to buy something. If my coveted bottles werent' available I was unhappy and unwilling to allow any store clerk to provide recommendations. I honestly don't remember what wine I bought that night, although it was probably a Bordeaux and I'm sure I didn't ask for his recommendation (I was probably too intimidated by his shaved head and goatee :-) ). Over time, however, that changed as we got to know each other. At a certain point, I pretty much allowed Ryan to put the wines in my cart. For the most part, wines I would have poo-poo'ed in the past. He got me to look beyond the numbers, and the hype. Which brings us to today. I recently hit the Surdyk's Fall Sale and came away with a multitude of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French wines, most of them from the bottom shelves, none of them which I had ever tried or read about before. I give Ryan a lot of credit for opening my eyes to the realization that there are many well-made wines out there that deserve to be enjoyed, and that one need not worry about ratings.
I support what you guys are doing. I think it's a great idea. But, I do miss having Ryan put wine bottles in my cart..
You've hit the nail on the head as to my philosophy that conversation and relationships are the most important part of wine. Maybe the reason we still have a "non-wine-culture" is because people still think they need to "understand" wine to enjoy it. While this can add to an experience, it's not the whole experience.
I look forward to many more bottles shared in the near future!
You've hit the nail on the head as to my philosophy that conversation and relationships are the most important part of wine. Maybe the reason we still have a "non-wine-culture" is because people still think they need to "understand" wine to enjoy it. While this can add to an experience, it's not the whole experience.
I look forward to many more bottles shared in the near future!