The Wine Snob
You know the type. The person who always gets their hands on the wine list first, because they simply know everything about it. People who only drink wine from ‘real’ wineries, boast about the bombastic bottles of wine in their cellar and unsolicitedly unload their wine knowledge on the ordinary masses. And perhaps the most telling trait: they experience wine as a competition rather than a pleasure. Meet the all-knowing wine snob.
Wine geek
Of course, as a professional wine geek, I’m guilty of it too. A fellow diner once compared me to Hannibal Lecter (the psychopath from The Silence of the Lambs) when I was examining the wine. But I don’t need an important wine label to feel superior, nor do I feel the need to flaunt my wine knowledge unsolicitedly.
A fellow diner once compared me to Hannibal Lecter
I’m more of a wine-geek. A fanatic who is always eager to learn even more about wine. Whether it’s soil composition, wind direction, fermentation techniques, or the final taste and the château. If I taste something unfamiliar, I keep searching until I know everything about it. And when it comes to drinking, I won’t say no to a beautiful bottle of Grand Cru Château Ausone from Saint-Émilion. But discovering something new is just as special.
9 x THE WINE SNOB IN PICTURES
Well, we all get carried away by our enthusiasm sometimes. So do you recognise yourself—or someone else—in the following wine-snob traits? Try to hold back a little next time.
1 You always choose Champagne, Burgundy or Bordeaux
These regions obviously didn’t become so famous for nothing, but please look a little further afield too. Be adventurous and colour outside those classic lines.
2 You love challenging other people’s opinions about wine. You always know best
You believe your judgement is correct by definition. But taste is subjective. Everyone experiences the characteristics of wine differently. And even time, place and mindset play a major role.
3 You often even know better than the sommelier
Even if you know a lot about wine, the same probably applies to the person who has made it their profession. Respect that and simply enjoy your night out.
4 You give your opinion—unasked—about the wine being served
Some people simply feel like having a glass of wine and aren’t waiting for a refresher course.
Don’t be a Score Whore!
5 You often—and eagerly—talk about your own wine knowledge
The best vintages, the most expensive wineries, you name it. The same applies here: not everyone is interested in your endless story.
6 You correct other people’s pronunciation of grape varieties and wine regions
Calling Rioja ‘ree-oh-jah’ too, or pronouncing the Italian grape aglianico in a lovely Dutch way may not be right, but who are you really helping by correcting them?
7 With every sip, you swirl your wine endlessly and slurp exuberantly
Swirling the wine—just like slurping—adds extra oxygen and releases more aromas and flavour. So it’s fine, but here too: everything in moderation!
8 You pour cheap wine into a decanter
You only pour a bottle of wine into another vessel to aerate it (decanting), or to separate it from its sediment (also decanting). Not to conceal a bad label.
9 You only drink highly rated wines (preferably with the rating visible on the bottle)
The opinions of wine experts such as Robert Parker do of course say something, but by no means everything. Don’t be a Score Whore! Be brave and discover your own taste preferences.
