Honest Wine: What Does That Look Like?
Here are some fascinating numbers. People have been drinking wine for over 7,000 years. There are more than 5,000 different types of grapes in the world. 1,368 grape varietals are most commonly used for commercial winemaking today. There is zero doubt that wine is an ancient agricultural product and endless options exist for the consumer. While grapes are very much at the mercy of our soil and climate, they become an art when wine is crafted. In its classic packaging, wine usually comes in a 750ml bottle - just the right amount for 4-6 people to enjoy with a meal. Wine intentionally has elements like acidity and tannin that invite us to slow down, sip, and savor instead of knocking it back. In its finest form, it brings flavors to life on your plate.
When you think of other beverages like beer, seltzers, hard liquor, kombucha, etc, they can very easily be enjoyed as a party of one. Wine has always been about discovery and bringing people together. And that is why I will never stop exploring everything the wine world has to offer.
I have spent nearly two decades studying wine. I’ve traveled the world to meet with winemakers and tour their vineyards and facilities. I’ve immersed myself in extensive courses. I have tasted countless bottles. I am ALWAYS reading up on it. And yet, there is still so much mystery around wine, even for me after all these years. What is necessary to produce a high-quality bottle with the least amount of tinkering? Why do I sometimes feel like garbage the day after sipping a bottle while other times I feel great?
I am determined to explore wine on a deeper level with friends, family, and whomever might be interested. I plan to share my knowledge and findings. Plenty of these topics will be controversial. I will do my best to stay unbiased and will provide links to credible sources. Here are some examples of topics I will dive deeper into in the world of wine:
What elements in wine cause headaches?
What kind of additives are potentially lurking in the bottle?
Where do I even begin with understanding the wine label in front of me?
What about these marketing claims like vegan, zero sugar, etc?
Why would I care if an appellation is listed on a bottle or not?
What is the difference between ‘sustainable’, ‘biodynamic’, and ‘organic’?
What if I am sober curious at the moment?
What is natural wine exactly?
How can wine be dishonest about vineyard management and winemaking and yet the label makes me believe it is a good, clean product?
Why would I choose a wine from a small producer over one that is more commercially available in every grocery store?
Where does the magic happen with wine and food coming together?
Like everything in this world - there is no perfect. But, we can certainly have expectations of integrity and honesty when it comes to enjoying every glass of wine. What if we put more thought and intention into our purchases? A focus on moderation, balance, and quality. I have a confession. I have been methodically building a little something on the side of my regular day job for almost a year. I have dabbled in other passion projects but this one is VERY real for me. I established an LLC recently and I am in the process of getting my license to start a local wine club in Orange County. I am very close to being approved by the state of California. And I rebranded the name of my site from Our Zesty Kitchen to Caleb & Rose. But this is mostly for future Me to continue tackling. Present Me is committed to kicking off this newsletter and building a community of people who love or are interested in wine. For free. And this community can reach from coast to coast.
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Please feel free to share this post with anyone in your community who will enjoy reading. Stay curious, friends! Xx, Kris
