Champagne Taste Is A Year Old Already!

It’s hard to say how it all started...I wish I could say it started when I was 11 years old and made my own red wine for my 6th grade project for the annual science fair at Sts. Philip and James School - crushing grocery store grapes in a sauce pot with a potato masher, pressing them with wooden paddles and a cheese cloth, and bringing the bottle of wine to the science fair, to win first prize one winter night.  But I didn’t start actually drinking wine until some years later when a glass of Gewurztraminer beckoned me to have a taste, and I was spellbound.  Not long after that experience with the Pierre Sparr Alsace Gewurztraminer, a red called to me - Celler Can Blau, from Montsant, with its dark fruit characteristics laced with notes of cool slate.  I was enchanted - and I was hooked.

Pierre Sparr Alsace Gewurztraminer

Celler Can Blau Montsant

Then began the constant research and desire to learn more about wine, about different grapes, regions, producers, history; and then I wanted to learn to pair them to my cooking.  I just couldn’t stop learning.

At one point, a few years ago, I was discussing a particular Australian Cabernet online and became engrossed in a wine conversation with someone who would become a friend.  This friend finally asked me why I didn’t write my tasting notes and experiences for others to read, but I didn’t think much about that.  After all, I thought, who would want to read my opinions on wines?

And then when this friend suddenly left my life, I realized I missed discussing my wine experiences with someone, so I began posting photos of labels and tasting notes on Facebook for my family and friends to read, and I wondered if anyone was actually interested.  And that’s when it occurred to me, why not start a blog about my wine experiences?

This weekend marks one whole year since I started the Champagne Taste Wine Blog.

Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay - Loire

I can hardly believe it’s already been a year.  Sometimes I still wonder who is actually reading about my wine experiences, but my blog statistics indicate I’ve got readers all over the world.  I’m so happy I’ve been able to connect with fellow wine lovers everywhere - after all, why confine my findings, notes, and experiences to myself and to so few people?  I’ve also met a lot of fascinating people via my blog, especially after joining Twitter and connecting with people who have similar interests to mine.

This journey that began with the start of the blog has encouraged my passion for wine, and it even inspired me to take the level 1 exam through the Court of Master Sommeliers.  So, after lots of research and the consumption of countless bottles within the past year, I’ve learned quite a bit and I’ve had opportunities to share and connect with others, and as the Champagne Taste Wine Blog enters its second year, I look forward to many new experiences with wine and sharing them with others.

Pinot Noir - Finger Lakes