Essentially a blind date with wine suggests a date between two “persons” (one being a bottle of wine) who have never met before. Based on the convivial ideas of Michael Gelb’s book “Wine Drinking for Inspired Thinking”, we believe that wine has much to offer for those who take the time to think into the bottle. You may have been enjoying wine now and then but want to get to know another varietal or try a bottle someone has recommended to you. Or you may know next to nothing about the wine. In that case, a “blind date” with a wine will encourage you to learn more about wine in general.
Get ready for your date by reading between the wines. There are many online resources that can introduce you to a good bottle of wine with an interesting history and reputation or an up and coming wine region that should be on your radar. Then go to your favorite wine shop – a matchmaker who can direct you to a section of wines that pique your interest. Red, white, rose, sparkling, domestic or old world European. When it comes to buying wine, a great wine store is like a valuable friend that helps you navigate the dating scene.
Unlike a blind date between two humans, appearances are not the first thing you should judge when choosing a bottle of wine. Meaning that although bottle and label design can catch your eye, when choosing a wine the least considered element should be bottle and label design. Also to uncork a memorable experience or “aha” moment is it wise to use price as an indicator of quality when choosing a bottle of wine? In other words, a cheap date or an expensive night on the town. According to an April 2024 article posted on drinkbusiness.com despite price being the most important factor for consumers when deciding which bottle of wine to buy, only 6% were confident they would definitely be able to tell the difference between a $10 bottle and a $100 bottle. 26% claimed they could “probably” tell the difference, while 35% admitted they “probably could not” distinguish between the two. You’ll never know your statistical wine standing until you buy and try. In other words you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you meet a prince or in this case sample a few bottles until you find the perfect wine.
To prepare yourself to meet your prince of wines begin by choosing the best glass to enjoy your wine. Certain wine glasses perform better than others to improve the taste of the wine. Quality wine glasses have been shown to enhance the flavor and aroma of wines. The size, shape, thickness, and the opening of the glass all play a role in capturing the personality of any wine as you drink it.
Now you are ready to pour, swirl, sniff and sip. If there is no chemistry between you and the wine in your glass you can call it a day and go home with no drama and use the bottle for cooking. But if there is you may be able to unlock the hidden codex of the grapes that link history, culture, climate, geography and culinary conviviality. Soon you’ll wait to introduce your blind date wine to your friends to experience the animated spirit of the get-togethers at the Medici Palazzo, the creativity around Thomas Jefferson’s dinner table, the joie de vivre and la dolce vita that Gelb writes about.
With the belief in the “remarkable power of wine to tap into our creative potential, awaken our genius, and forge bonds with friends and co-workers”. Who wouldn’t want a blind date that turns out like that?
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