The Varied and Creative Conversations of Wine

People who aren’t wine connoisseurs always seem to have a fascination with why some people love talking about wine. Some may see it as somewhat of a ‘snobby’ activity, but it turns out there are a few reasons why people like to talk about wine.

Some may be more complex than others, but true wine connoisseurs can smell and taste the difference between even the most sophisticated of wines. When it comes to planning the perfect wine tasting party, this kind of palette can make all of the difference.

When it comes to wine-tasting events, there are some things that factor into a conversation. Similar to speaking about and comparing television shows and other forms of entertainment, wine tasters find common interests in the flavor and characteristics of the wine.

There’s Quite A Large Palette

Unlike many other beverages, wine offers quite a large taste palette. Not only do two brands not taste alike, but wines from two different years can taste notably different. Because of that, it can be easy and enjoyable to slip into a discussion about the differences between two different wine years. There also can be a discussion about the handling and storage of wine, such as with Belmont wine exchange, sellers of fine wine.

Similar to comparing two different films, this discussion can take on a life of its own. With that in mind, talking about wine offers the same kind of enjoyment that discussing different forms of entertainment can offer. Taste matters when it comes to any kind of food or beverage. For example, many people have happily discussed which restaurant has nicer food or what brand from the supermarket tastes better

Add in the flavors that are on offer, and there’s the possibility of a well-rounded conversation based on the wine.

It’s Got History

Wine has a unique history when compared to almost every other beverage; the Romans, Ancient Egyptians, and Greeks all cultivated vineyards thousands of years ago providing a storied past to many bottles. Even today there are vineyards across the globe that are over 2,000 years old. This experience has provided many wine-makers the ability to create sophisticated and nuanced wines.

Furthermore, this history offers a unique conversation starter that many history buffs would find interesting. Surviving through wars and countless other events, they can help provide a glimpse of the regions local and national history.

Regional Nuances

When it comes to any food or beverage, its taste always helps add to the occasion, whether it’s a wine tasting or other special event. As we mentioned above, wine offers a far larger palette than other beverages. This palette not only differs from year to year but from region to region.

This nuance can best be compared to the nuances between James Bond actors; each brings their own flavor and character while still feeling consistent with each installment. These regional nuances provide a topic of conversation for many wine-lovers and is something that can help lead to discussions about other aspects related to the wine or its history.

Climate and some other factors also affect the taste, which helps to differentiate many types of wine. Changes in the weather can also affect the flavors of these wines, even if they’re grown in the same place under many of the same conditions. This also helps to show why wines can taste different year-on-year.

A Freudian Possibility

However, some people have suggested that it may not be all about the wine. In contrast, it could be down to what Freud called the narcissism of small differences. In short, this is an unconscious bias where a customer has a superficial sense of uniqueness because of trivial product variations. To break it down even further, a wine’s complexity drives its popularity.

Because of this sophistication, it can help demonstrate status and connoisseurship for a wine-drinker. As Freud argues, this is due to an unconscious desire to feel superior by showing off their knowledge of the wine. This narcissism may not be noticed by any party involved in the discussion, but may still help fuel the conversation.

With all of that being said, is it still a mystery as to why many wine connoisseurs love talking about wine? As we’ve already mentioned, it can be compared to speaking about many forms of entertainment, while also being similar to comparing restaurants. While many may not be able to perfectly encapsulate exactly why each of these forms of conversation is enjoyable, it’s still been well documented that they do provide entertainment for those in the conversation.