One of the mystifing,alluring aspectsof wine is its abilityto transform things. Aho–hum dinner at homeis suddenly kicked up anotch when you add a nicelittle glass of wine. A heartto heart talk with a frienddeepens when vino entersthe picture.
There’s an emotionalcomponent to wine that’shard to define.
Recently, a friend ofmine who’s had a long career in the wine business was askedto name his favorite wine. I smiled, expecting him to answerthat he had no favorites. Surely, someone with his experienceand knowledge of wine would say he had a lot of favorites andthat he couldn’t narrow his choice down to just one wine.
His answer stunned me! After a brief pause he said, “a 1986Rafanelli zinfandel”. I couldn’t believe it! But there’s more...notonly did he have a very specific favorite wine, he also said “I’veonly had it once, and I’ll never drink it again.”
I became intrigued. Why in the world would you neverdrink your favorite wine again? His answer was simple andpoignant. He said he’d never drink the wine again because itwas such an amazing night when he had it for the first timethat he didn’t want to risk tainting that memory by tasting thatwine again and having it taste differently.
He remembered in detail where he was, who he was withand the lively conversations of that evening. That night someyears ago touched him in many ways, and how interesting is itthat he connects that experience so strongly with the wine heand his friends were drinking?
After that conversation I started thinking about amazingwines I’ve tried––sure, there are the tastings where killer winesstand out. But when I search my memory for truly memorablewines, it’s not just a wine that comes to mind...it’s an experience.
Like the first time Mike took me to a renowned French restaurantin New York some 25 years ago. I’ve always treasuredthat evening, but I’ve never forgotten the wine we had thatnight––a Louis Latour Puligny Montrachet...it was amazing.It’s funny now that I think about it, how the memories of thatspecial night revolve around the wine we had. I don’t rememberthe conversation, what I ordered for dinner or what wehad for dessert...just the montrachet.
Think about it...do you have a favorite wine and if so, is therea special memory associated with it? I’d love to hear your stories,too...email me at goodtaste@tanjipatton.com.
One final question – when you come up with an answer––doyou have the willpower to never drink that wine again?I confess –– I don’t!
Vinho Verde from Portugal – this is a fun summer wine,slightly effervescent. It’s a great little summer wine that youneed to drink within a year of its bottling. Try serving over icewith a squeeze of lime. Pair it with Paloma Blanca’s Cevicherecipe on my website. It’s an HEB Special Selection wine – lessthan $10.
La Vieille Ferme – the name is tricky to remember so justthink of it as the ‘chicken’ wine––it has a chicken on the label.This is a nice little red from the Cotes du Rhone region ofFrance. Price – about $12. Pair it with the delicious MargheritaPizza from Lucciano’s on my website...easy to make.
If the hot, hot weather doesn’t dissuade you from a heavyred, then try Layer Cake Zinfandel...a smooth little Italian redfor less than $15. Pair it with your barbeque chicken or spicybrisket. Or better yet, head to my website and check out Morton’sSteak Dinner in Your Backyard info––you’ll have a steakfeast just like the pros.
Available at HEB $14.99
Enjoy!
