My Personal Experience With Wine Thus Far

    Taking Geography of Wine this semester is going to be my first real in depth experience with wine in my life. I wanted to take the course because wine, wine types, tasting wine, storing wine, kinds of wine I like and dislike, and wine etiquette are subjects that I know virtually nothing about. Even before Boyer's lecture videos I knew wine was an important topic to have some knowledge about when it comes to business, celebrations, being a somewhat educated person in my 20's, etc. I think it is important to be able to hold your own in these settings when it comes to talking about and drinking wine. Right or wrong, it shows some level of sophistication.

    My personal experiences with wine probably started with drinking on New Year's Eves. So I guess that would be cheap Champagne or some sort of sparkling wine. For my taste, that is not a great place to start. I do not typically like Champagne. I think it is usually too sweet or too much acidity and I do not like the overall flavor in general. Plus it will give you a sizeable headache. It is also very possible that I just have never had good Champagne. This is not to say that I do not like sweet wines, because I very much prefer them. Just not too sweet. I think I like sweet reds and Rose the most. From what I can tell that would not be regarded as "quality" wines but I do not really know. I have had more bitter wines at things like Christmas dinners but I have not really grown a taste for them. I also like Sangria but I'm not sure that counts. I mostly get in the mood for wine when eating Italian food. If I am going to be drinking alcohol, I will almost always choose beer or liquor but I would like to broaden my horizons.

    The main outcome I want from taking this class is to get a deeper understanding of my own taste so I know what I like to order at restaurants and things like that. I also want to learn wine etiquette. The "sniff and swirl", how to hold the glass, wine tasting, reading labels, the correct glassware and temperature, etc. so it looks like I know what I'm doing in social settings.  

A picture of me not broadening my horizons: