Paying Attention
Who would think to spend $25 on a ticket to the symphony or opera, only to indulge in extraneous thoughts during the performance? No, very likely a concert goer finds himself paying close attention to every nuance, every detail; because only in this way will his musical appetite be satisfied.
Isn't the enjoyment of wine just the same? Ordinary wine might be compared to the music we hear in shopping malls or supermarkets; it's not intended for close scrutiny. But when we shell out $25 or even $10 for a special bottle, the wine deserves our close attention.
Today I found myself sitting out in my garden with a glass of Zaca Mesa Late Bottled Cuvée Z, an excellent Rhône blend from Santa Barbara County. My thoughts were of my roses, the gurgling fountain, the gentle seabreezes, a hummingbird nearby and a soft kitten at my feet. It was a beautiful experience, to be sure. But the wine in my glass might just as well have been a nondescript everyday red wine. That is, until I remembered to pay attention.
Why was this wine held back long enough to warrant a "late bottled" designation? Most likely, because the tannins were a little rough at the scheduled time of release. How are they now? I began to pay closer attention. They were perfect. Heavy tannins are often associated with a high level of flavor extraction. This wine should be rich and flavorful. It was. Futher, the wine had developed an especially nice texture and the flavors had come together nicely. The wine was deep and rich, and I was happy that I wasn't drinking something less refined.
The point I want to emphasize is that wines are not worth premium prices unless we give them our full attention. And when we do that, our sensitivities, not only to wine, but to all of life become heightened.