Slow Jamz 10/11/17: Advice from Wine Experts

"I often suggest having a dinner party with a themed wine selections, e.g. if the topic is Pinot Noir, make sure all the guests come with a bottle of Pinot Noir from all different regions. That way, everyone gets to try multiple samples of the 'themed wine,' without having to bear the whole financial burden." Arthur Hon (Sepia Chicago)

"I think if you take a little time while you're drinking wine to grab a book and do a little research on the region or the grape, that's a great way to learn. It's also fun to drink a bunch of wines from one region and really get to know it." Jason Wagner (Henri, The Gage Chicago)

“Thankfully the best way to learn is to taste. For me understanding body and weight is the first building block. I recommend asking your local merchant of web resource for some full bodied and light bodied wines in both red and white categories. If you can pop two bottles at once I always suggest tasting wines side by side as it will magnify the differences between wines.” Brian Smith (Club W)

"Form a tasting group. It's much easier and cost effective to taste with others. In college we all threw in a couple bucks for beer money, now we throw in a couple bucks for great wines. Get a group of 4 or 5 likeminded people that are thirsty for knowledge. If everyone throws in $25 you've got $125 to spend. Then find a wine shop with a great selection of half bottles and you should be able to get 6 classic wines and everyone gets enough to taste. Do that once a week and over the course of the year you'll get to taste more than 250 classic wines."Sabato Sagaria MS (The Little Nell Hotel, Aspen)

"Find a wine bar, or a cool restaurant, and start to be a regular. The staff will more than probably start to have you try a lot of different things—then find a good wine shop, and build a relationship with the people there. These shops may organize a lot of wine tastings, where you will try wines you can't afford yourself!” Pascaline Lepeltier (Rouge Tomate, NYC)

"My advice for beginners is to taste frequently, and always with a notebook. Disciplined note-taking makes you more alert and alive to your own developing taste, far more than following someone else's guide." Jeremy Quinn (Telegraph,, Reno,Bluebird, Webster's Wine Bar Chicago)

"To learn about wine, you just have to experience as much as possible. Go to tastings whenever you can and ask questions. When dining out, order a glass that you aren't familiar with. People tend to get into a rut of "I like..." or "I don't like..."There are plenty of wines that have surprised me from regions I haven't cared for or grapes that aren't my favorites. There are always wines you can afford that are classic examples of their region.” "I recommend that all beginners start with the basics. To be honest, the best book is Wine For Dummies. It is so well written and reduces a massive amount of information down to the very basics. If you are beyond that then try Karen McNeil's Wine Bible. The best part about studying about wine is learning the unique stories associated with each place. Reading about the wines WHILE drinking them is sure to bring the concepts home." Emily Wines MS (Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants )

"The best way to learn about wine is to drink more! Tasting is the only way you are going to understand it better. The more you can taste the more you can relate to it. Also, visiting regions and wineries is a great way to not only taste wine but to familiarize yourself with geography." Savanna Ray (Wildwood Restaurant, Portland OR)

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