Today’s words come from Jack Stuart, retired winemaker at Silverado Vineyards in Napa Valley.  I’m in the throes of my WSET Diploma studies, so these words resonated with me, and reminded me of something very important.

The full quote, for reference (and Latin buffs) is this:

Fine wine is food for the table; it’s meant to be enjoyed, not endlessly studied.  Remember, what you like is the most important thing.  De gustibus non eat disputandum. There’s no disputing your taste.

I love the study of wine (OK, maybe not the chemistry part of wine), but I’m definitely guilty of endlessly studying it lately.  Too often, I get so caught up in analyzing a wine, and practicing writing technical tasting notes, I forget to just sit down and enjoy the wine.

So tonight, I think I’ll open something I like (probably Pinot Noir or Champagne) and leave my tasting notebook in another room.

Salud!