The wine lover need not know and usually does not care that a peeled ripe peach, pricked 99 times, revolves slowly in a bubbling glass of cold Champagne. Nor does it matter to them that this is a delectable summer drink called Stachelschwein, "the porcupine" in Germany, where it is popular. Such knowledge is reserved for the bookworm. As for the neophyte among wine lovers, there are thousands of other pieces of information (of great or little importance) that lie ahead of him. As they get into the subject, he will find greater enjoyment in the beers, wines and spirits of their choice when he knows something of the history and characteristics of each type and its place of origin. It does not matter much whether the first wines we savor are those of Australia, or South Africa, whether the table wines of a family come from Italy, Chile or California. The important thing is that we take the time to read, learn and drink!!! Knowledge, along with the constant tasting, can bring an appreciation of why, where and how we should enjoy our wines and spirits. There are many interesting differences to learn about. A brandy from Cognac and one made in Armagnac, for example, are both Brandies- but being distilled in different ways and aged in different kinds of casks, they are quite different in taste. A whisky made in Scotland is very different from the product of Ireland or our own American ryes and Bourbons. It is perhaps not surprising that table wines differ when made from different grapes; but it is remarkable that the dry white Blanc-Fume wines of the Loire valley are very different from the sweet white Chateau d'Yquem and other wines made from the same grape in Gironde Valley just to the south.
For the person who envies the evident joys their friends derive from choosing and drinking the right wine in the right place at the right time. I truly recommend they read, listen and TASTE!! There is so much learn every time you try something new or retry a new vintage of that old favorite!!
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