Civil War - a Champion Wine Event

A friend of mine in Portland was kind enough to loan me a stack of comics that comprise the Marvel Universe Civil War. It’s been in the news lately, largely because of the death of Captain America. It’s a fascinating read, and while certainly not subtle, the forum of comics allows for a thorough examination of war from varying points of view.

I’ve been inspired by these comics to start following the aftermath of the “event,” so I went to my friendly neighborhood comic shop on my day off the other day. I haven’t actively purchased comic book since I was in 6th grade so the world of the comic shop is, though not exactly foreign, somewhat strange to me.

I realize that’s how many people feel when they go to a wine shop - to enter a space where you’re surrounded by hundreds of bottles, and not know exactly what hides behind all those labels... That’s intimidating. Add to that wealth of choice a staff of people who are so specialized in what they do, asking them a question can be like trying to get directions from Steven Hawking (minus the robot voice).

At the comic shop I was struck with the feeling - like many wine lovers undoubtedly feel - that I was a poser, a neophyte who was jumping on the bandwagon of Civil War, simply because I heard about it on NPR.

Certainly, there are going to be comic nerds who see people like me in that light. That’s how I felt when Josh Raynolds reviewed Muscadet in Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar. I first went to Muscadet in 2001, and have been fortunate enough over the last few years to meet and taste with most of the top producers in the region. I find the wines intriguing, and totally satisfying to drink (and drink lots of at that).

My first reaction to these reviews (and the subsequent flood of heretofore unheard of customer interest) was anger - why are people such sheep that they’ll buy a wine they’ve never heard of, just because someone they've never met attaches a number to it? It’s indeed frustrating that many people follow the wine press blindly, and the lack of real alternatives frustrates me to no end.

Obviously, that anger is unfair. So what if someone starts drinking muscadet because they read about it in a magazine? I started reading comics because of media attention, does that make me an blind follower? At the end of the day, if 1000 people buy some muscadet because of this article, and only 20 of them really love it and buy the wines again - then that’s still a good thing, right?

Truth be told, I’m still trying to convince myself of this, but on paper it looks right. I’m still wary of the wine press. I very much think that the power that people invest in an arbitrary number is misguided. But hopefully, just as I’ve started exploring an interest in comic books, a few customers will take this opportunity to start a dialogue with their local wine shops and their wine drinking friends, and really start to learn about what they’re drinking and develop their own opinions.

Comments

[iamchanelle]

hear, hear!

[Tina M]

So I guess I am guilty of this bahavior as well. After I saw "Sideways: I, like a million other people, had to try a Pinot Noir. I am now a huge PN fan, and am always searching for the next great bottle. So if people see me as a poser, I really don't care; because like you said; "that’s still a good thing" that people are buying it, and in some cases, falling in love with it.

[Joe Dressner]

I have nothing interesting to say but did want to congratulate you on having a great blog! Are you planning any podcasts?

[Jeff Porter]

Paul - just reading through for the first time...kudos! Here's a perspective to consider that might help you reconcile your conflicted views: the producer's.

Any producer, large or small, would love to have her/his wine sampled for the first time - whether that's because a great wine geek turned them on to it or because they read/heard about it somewhere. After all, how else would someone pick up something great they'd never tried before?

Also consider: now that you're in the wine blogging world, doesn't the knife cut your way, too? Why should I pay attention to what you have to say? Because I enjoy wines you enjoy and I trust your judgment. And - if I didn't taste wines with you monthly - how would I know that I trusted you? You gotta start somewhere. If Muscadet is the place some do, isn't that better than some "lesser" alternative?

Jus' callin' you out, 'sall... ; )