Hit and Miss.

“Why would anyone spend that much on a bottle of wine? You can’t even taste the difference!”

An argument I often hear when people question the amount I may have spent on any particular bottle. I am not saying this argument is wrong, just that it is fundamentally redundant.

First of all, I think this perception comes from a lack of exposure to ‘good wine’, not necessarily that cheaper wines are all of the same quality as more expensive ones.

Not All Great Wine is Expensive.

Enjoying wine can be an expensive hobby. While it is true that price isn't always an indication of quality, it can be a good indication of the processes winemakers follow in order to produce their wine. Whatever the quality of the wine in the bottle, you can be sure that the more expensive bottles are subject to scrutinies that enhance the final product. If you ever find yourself in a bottle shop, unsure of what to buy, it can help to know some of these processes and the benefits they provide.

The Bottle That Changed Everything.

Every wine critic, journalist, blogger or home enthusiast tells a similar story about the origins of their passion. To some, that story could begin with a simple Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc. Others could trace it back to the moment they uncorked a 1971 Domaine de la Romanee Conti La Tache. The story that each of us tells about 'The Bottle That Changed Everything' is so unique, and so intensely personal that it is impossible to pinpoint the precise elements required to achieve the epiphany; the moment of clarity that converts us from indifferent, apathetic wine drinkers into true enthusiasts. It is rare that you will find it if you are looking for it, because it will never quite be what you expect.