5 secrets for making Wine more Accessible.

01.

Ask questions

A common misconception for many consumers is that generally speaking, wine is overwhelming and confusing. With all of the regions and grape varietals to choose from, it can become difficult to discover the one wine to explore. But to that I say, TRY ALL OF THE THINGS! ASK ALL OF THE QUESTIONS! I implore folks to take advantage of the knowledge of their local wine shop attendants and sommeliers because they are there to assist. The more questions you ask and the more wines you taste, the more you learn about your palate and what you truly enjoy.

02.

Learn about a region

Choose one or two regions to start, and then move around the map. Choose your own adventure! For example, I have moments when I may become kind of obsessed with one particular wine region, to the point where I only drink that region at home or when I go out to restaurants or wine bars. I think learning as much as you can about a region or a grape variety can help you ask yourself questions like, “What does Chardonnay from Chile taste like?” or “How does Chenin Blanc express itself when grown in California?”

03.

Taste more wines

You can never go wrong with trying wines by the glass at a local wine bar or restaurant or attending in-store tasting events and demo events. Those wines can definitely vary by price, so it’s always good to try before you buy. I would recommend joining the local wine shop’s wine club, too! Not only will you get bottles monthly, but you’ll probably also get discounts on your purchases, which helps to bring down the cost of your favorite wines. And if you have favorite producers that aren’t in your backyard (ex. in Napa, Virginia, Washington) you can also join their monthly or quarterly wine clubs to get perks and discounts too.

04.

There’s an app for that 

Wine apps like Vivino, Decanter’s Know Your Wine, or Delectable all serve as social networks in a way, and connect wine enthusiasts together so they can learn from one another. I think these tools can be helpful in keeping track of the wines that you taste, and seeing what other folks have had to say about said wine, too. I know this sounds a bit old school, but I totally bookmark articles that list the “Best Merlots” or the “10 Styles of Orange Wine You Should Try” from various publications online. It’s always fun to see which wines I’ve had and which ones I still need to try! Also, there are so many incredible wine enthusiasts and educators on Instagram to learn from: The Millennial Somm, Samantha Sommelier, Grape Chic, Winonoire, Sober Somm, Unpolished Grape, The Bubblista, French Wine Tutor, and so many others who are doing a fantastic job sharing their love for and knowledge of wine with the world.

05.

Have fun at home 

First and foremost, grab a copy of my book Wine Convo Generator, which is a very fun flip book that has over 150,000 tasting notes that folks can mix and match while enjoying a glass (or a bottle) of wine. It takes away the pretension that is often associated with wine and makes it an inviting and exploratory experience. Once you’ve got the book, grab a few bottles of wine from your favorite local shop, and have some friends over! Make a charcuterie board or order takeout, and make it a fun wine tasting experience!