What I *THINK* I Like When It Comes to Wine
Published 2025-01-15When you don't know a thing about wine, and can't recall ever having liked one more than another, where can you possibly start?
You ask Mr. Robot...
Finding My Starting Point
Starting from scratch with wine was intimidating.
It might sound strange, but before the fall of 2024, I was practically a non-drinker in all but name. Sure, we had a few nice bottles on the bar cart (more on my obsession with TRYING different brands of bourbon someday), and there were conversations at home about getting into cocktails. We even received some lovely gifts to get us started. But drinking always left me flushed and, frankly, not ENJOYING the experience.
When I decided last fall to dive into the world of wine, I hit an immediate wall: I had no idea what I liked. Honestly, I thought I DISLIKED wine altogether. My trips to the LCBO were laughable, often resulting in me picking bottles that simply LOOKED appealing.
Looking back, this might be EXACTLY WHY I'd never considered myself a wine-drinker: I hadn't yet found anything I enjoyed.
The Beginner's Dilemma
Herein lies the challenge: discovering your preferences when you don't know where to start. Living near some great wineries in Ontario seemed like an advantage, but I wasn't in a position to wander between them sampling and tasting (though I've since been convinced that this is a fantastic way to begin).
So, I approached the problem differently: trying to DESCRIBE what I liked using familiar terms and hoping it would guide me in the right direction.
While I no longer have that initial conversation handy, here's where I've landed so far. My preferences have evolved slightly as I've sampled more wine and found some standout bottles (posts on those coming soon!).
Note
Wine is a deeply personal journey, and what works for me might not work for you. But if you're looking for a place to start, this has been a fun and rewarding exploration so far! Let's also acknowledge that this is NOT where I started and these have evolved over the past 2-3 months.
My Preferences So Far
Texture/Mouthfeel
- Plush, generous mid-palate
- Silky, refined textures throughout
- Well-integrated, smooth tannins
- Consistent texture from start to finish
Style
- Modern polish while respecting tradition
- Clean winemaking approaches
- Family/independent producers
- Entry-level wines from premium producers
Taste/Profile
- Ripe, fruit expression without over-extraction
- Balanced acidity when properly integrated
- Clear fruit character over artificial notes
- Responds well to natural fruit ripeness versus added sugar
What I DON'T Like (it's probably even MORE important!)
- Watery profiles
- Sharp or unbalanced acidity
- Inconsistent character
- E.g., wines that taste entirely different from sip to sip
- Fermentation-forward finishes
- Strongly yeasty or overly raw flavors
- Mass-market production styles
- Overly generic or lack of personality
Final Thoughts
The journey of discovering my preferences has been surprising and enjoyable. For someone who started as a self-proclaimed non-drinker, the past few months have felt like a grand experiment in taste and texture.
If you're in a similar position, my advice is simple: start small, be curious, and don't be afraid to lean on the advice of experts (or at least the labeling skills of graphic designers—sometimes it works!).
Have a favorite wine you think I should try? Drop me a comment or a message at one of the social media links below or at the 'Buy Me a Glass' link above—I'm always looking for recommendations!
Stay tuned for more about the wines I've loved, the ones I've poured out, and what I'm learning along the way!