13 comments

• 

  bbennett

  2 years ago

  Ryan,
  
  
  Great article. Why don't you tell us what you REALLY think? :-)
  
  
  
  BB
  
  reply
• 

  bbennett

  2 years ago

  Ryan,
  
  Great article. Why don't you tell us what you REALLY think? :-)
  
  BB
  reply
• 

  RichardA

  2 years ago

  Sherry is definitely under rated in most places. It does not get much publicity but there are some excellent sherries out there. I am very much a sherry novice but am learning.
  reply
• 

  Cornell

  2 years ago

  Really enjoyed the post - to define quality by age is limiting and excludes (as you mention) many - in fact probably most great wines...if you define great as something you enjoy. Why shouldn't we hold in as high regard the winery that is able to produce a "great" wine that should be opened as soon as it is available as the winery that creates one that will last for many years. No reason...time to change....
  reply
• 

  Cornell

  2 years ago

  Really enjoyed the post - to define quality by age is limiting and excludes (as you mention) many - in fact probably most great wines...if you define great as something you enjoy. Why shouldn't we hold in as high regard the winery that is able to produce a "great" wine that should be opened as soon as it is available as the winery that creates one that will last for many years. No reason...time to change....
  reply
• 

  Gabriella

  2 years ago

  I love this post. I really do, but I need to play the devil's advocate here (like all good wives do) and say that although I agree wholeheartedly with Ryan, I would also have to highlight the importance of cellared wines from a cultural standpoint. In an age of immediate gratification seen in fast food (golden arches), fast coffee (triple shot mocha, no chocolate, decaf in a cup the size of Texas) and fast communication (where your TV, phone, microwave and refrigerator can all communicate with NASA), we are losing the idea of time. Yes, Spain has aged its wines for you, so you can open immediately upon purchase, and rest assured you will most likely enjoy a fabulous drink, there is something to said about looking at a bottle of wine over the next 20 years knowing that you need to be patient. Patience is leaving our world by the second, and we are all missing out on what it means to knead and bake bread, watch an oak tree grow and enjoy each and every minute of your wine developing and evolving in your cellar. It means you've stood the test of time, desperately wanting to pop that cork, but holding back in an effort to taste it in its prime.
  
  
  I´ll admit that I am worried about time, fearing that we are all becoming too stressed, too fast-paced and too focused on the future. Spanish wines are fantastic. We should celebrate their ability to be drank immediately and appreciate the fact that they generally don't need to be cellared. I just don't want see younger generations supporting one side of the spectrum and not the other. Both sides have their benefits and need to both appreciated and respected for their beauty. As we move into an age of screw caps and box wines (not denying the quality element here), I want to make sure there is one voice out there supporting the art of patience.
  
  reply
• 

  Gabriella

  2 years ago

  I love this post. I really do, but I need to play the devil's advocate here (like all good wives do) and say that although I agree wholeheartedly with Ryan, I would also have to highlight the importance of cellared wines from a cultural standpoint. In an age of immediate gratification seen in fast food (golden arches), fast coffee (triple shot mocha, no chocolate, decaf in a cup the size of Texas) and fast communication (where your TV, phone, microwave and refrigerator can all communicate with NASA), we are losing the idea of time. Yes, Spain has aged its wines for you, so you can open immediately upon purchase, and rest assured you will most likely enjoy a fabulous drink, there is something to said about looking at a bottle of wine over the next 20 years knowing that you need to be patient. Patience is leaving our world by the second, and we are all missing out on what it means to knead and bake bread, watch an oak tree grow and enjoy each and every minute of your wine developing and evolving in your cellar. It means you've stood the test of time, desperately wanting to pop that cork, but holding back in an effort to taste it in its prime.
  
  I´ll admit that I am worried about time, fearing that we are all becoming too stressed, too fast-paced and too focused on the future. Spanish wines are fantastic. We should celebrate their ability to be drank immediately and appreciate the fact that they generally don't need to be cellared. I just don't want see younger generations supporting one side of the spectrum and not the other. Both sides have their benefits and need to both appreciated and respected for their beauty. As we move into an age of screw caps and box wines (not denying the quality element here), I want to make sure there is one voice out there supporting the art of patience.
  reply
• 

  Gabriella

  2 years ago

  Allow me to clarify my comment a bit. I recognize that Ryan was only making it clear that 100 point wines can be immediate consumption wines as well as they can be cellared wines. My intention was only to make the additional comment that as we shift our attention to the quality of immediate consumption wines, we shouldn't lose site of why cellared wines are important. For me, it is not the posh tradition or the reputation that follows cellared wines, but rather the value of time, patience and adoration.
  reply
• 

  bbennett

  2 years ago

  Gabriella,
  
  
  I agree with your comment regarding the value of cellaring wine (or closeting it in my case). Ryan's post didn't lead me to believe that he is against cellaring wines. His own cellar would dispell that notion.
  
  
  
  Not only that, but I think Ryan is also making the comment that the wine tasting experience extends beyond the sterile confines of a rating guide and the smell, sip, swirl and spit routine required to taste through a batch of wines. Where is the fun in that? Ok, there is some fun in that, but it pales next to the opportunity to pair that routine (change spit to swallow and savor) with an inviting environment containing food and friends.
  
  
  
  Finally, your perspective on the culture of instant gratification is right on. It's just another indicator of society slowly losing control, or Western society for sure. Just don't blame the Spanish wine makers! :-)
  
  
  
  Bill
  
  reply
• 

  Gabriella

  2 years ago

  I completely agree Bill, leading me to my second comment. It is not the Spanish winemakers I am blaming in the least, it is my fear that as we all begin to see the value of immediate consumption wines, I fear the typical trend of swinging the opposing side. What this means is that as an idea becomes trendy, we tend to overvalue and exhaust it. I think I need to write a post on my thought. Allow me to detour from comments and into the blog!
  
  
  Thanks for you comment Bill!
  
  reply
• 

  Gabriella

  2 years ago

  Allow me to clarify my comment a bit. I recognize that Ryan was only making it clear that 100 point wines can be immediate consumption wines as well as they can be cellared wines. My intention was only to make the additional comment that as we shift our attention to the quality of immediate consumption wines, we shouldn't lose site of why cellared wines are important. For me, it is not the posh tradition or the reputation that follows cellared wines, but rather the value of time, patience and adoration.
  reply
• 

  bbennett

  2 years ago

  Gabriella,
  
  I agree with your comment regarding the value of cellaring wine (or closeting it in my case). Ryan's post didn't lead me to believe that he is against cellaring wines. His own cellar would dispell that notion.
  
  Not only that, but I think Ryan is also making the comment that the wine tasting experience extends beyond the sterile confines of a rating guide and the smell, sip, swirl and spit routine required to taste through a batch of wines. Where is the fun in that? Ok, there is some fun in that, but it pales next to the opportunity to pair that routine (change spit to swallow and savor) with an inviting environment containing food and friends.
  
  Finally, your perspective on the culture of instant gratification is right on. It's just another indicator of society slowly losing control, or Western society for sure. Just don't blame the Spanish wine makers! :-)
  
  Bill
  reply
• 

  Gabriella

  2 years ago

  I completely agree Bill, leading me to my second comment. It is not the Spanish winemakers I am blaming in the least, it is my fear that as we all begin to see the value of immediate consumption wines, I fear the typical trend of swinging the opposing side. What this means is that as an idea becomes trendy, we tend to overvalue and exhaust it. I think I need to write a post on my thought. Allow me to detour from comments and into the blog!
  
  Thanks for you comment Bill!
  reply