To Your Taste – Apr 1, 2016

I started this column ten years ago with the simple idea that is would be focused on informing about wine rather than rating wines. I had some concern at the time if there would be enough to say about wine to keep such a column going. To my surprise, after 500 columns, I have not yet run out of wine information to pass on, and there seems to be no end in sight.

My future musings will be in other media, however, as this will be, unfortunately, my last column with The Telegram. I would like to thank Steve Bartlett of The Telegram for encouraging me to start writing about wine back in 2006, and all the other staff and editors at the paper who have supported by work throughout the years. It’s been a learning experience and a pleasure to work with you.

For those who have followed my column over the years, I hope that we have learned a few things about wine together. I will leave you with a few thoughts:

• You have your own taste when it comes to wine (and food in general). While writers like myself can endorse the quality of specific labels, let your own tastes be the judge of what wines you like and purchase.
• Work on developing your taste for wine. Try new varieties, new countries, new producers, and different types and styles. You may discover something you like, or at least something you don’t need to try again. Try your wines with different foods.
• Even though most of us have a limited budget for wine, take the opportunity to splurge on a special bottle for a special occasion once in awhile.
• Wine, especially good wine, tastes best when it is shared with friends.

I also want to thank you, the readers of my column, for your encouragement of and participation in my efforts. I have been able to discuss the finer points about wine with many readers over the years, as well as many within the wine industry – growers, winemakers, suppliers, and agents – and it has been a wonderful experience. I intend to have many more such experiences!

I encourage you to drop me a note if you would like to keep in touch as we continue to explore the world of wine. Look for me in other formats in the near future, I hope!

Let me close now by raising a glass “To Your Taste!”