Shades of Bacchus

Does Enviorment affect enjoyment?

Have you ever heard anyone make this statement? "I really enjoyed wine more while I was in Europe." I have heard many people make similar comments. They theorize that; "Wines in Italy or France do not add sulfites. They remark, "I didn't get a headache like I get when I am home." The simple truth is that the wines are the same. Imported wine is not any different than that same wine consumed in the home country. The difference is the exotic place, smells, people and circumstances surrounding the wine. I can remember having a bottle of Masi Amarone with Carol while in Rome. We were seated in an outdoor restaurant at dusk, over looking the city. We sipped the wine as we drank in the ambiance of Rome. The Vatican, and Forum were the background and made for a very enjoyable and special evening. The wine was enhanced ten fold by the situation and circumstance in which it was consumed. Certainly an Australian Shiraz will taste far better if drank in the vineyard with the Winemaker. Our friends, Don and Kathy still talk about this same experience at Two Hands. They became huge fans of Aussie Shiraz from that point on. I am sure you can recall a bottle shared with someone special. Would that wine have tasted the same if you drank it alone watching TV?......The answer is yes....only your perception of the taste of the wine is different. Wine is a drink that is all at once; social, romantic, memorable and profound. Include wine in the special times as well as the day to day ....you life will be enriched as a result.