Written by by Jamison Law "New Wines, New Experiences, & New People! How wine brings communities and people together."
We’ve all been there; it’s 5 PM, and we receive a text message from a friend saying, “Hey, don’t forget to bring some wine to the party tonight!” Suddenly, you remember that you’ve already R.S.V.P'd and have no clue which wine to bring or even where to go to grab a bottle.
Now, here you are, hiding in the back of a wine shop, confused, anxious, and clueless about which bottle to select. Everywhere you look, you see wine bottles. Every wall is lined with what seems like an endless amount of wine bottles, labels, colors, and prices.
I see it all too often. It’s okay; I’m here to help. Take a step back from the wine shelves and take a deep breath. Learning about wine is like learning about anything else. It takes time, patience, and practice. I’m here to help break it down into a few quick steps of how to find that perfect bottle of wine for tonight's dinner party.
Step 1 - Look For The Signs. All wine shops will have signs above each section, probably saying something like, “Bubbles,” “France,” or “New World.” Or perhaps a list of countries: Australia, Chile, or South Africa. Lastly, they could have the wines listed by style: Bubbles, Red, White, Rosé, and of course, the new kid on the block, Orange Wine. These are your Signs. These are your Friends. Start here.
Step 2 - Memory Rapture™.
You remember that one wine you had at that party last year. You really loved it. It was white, crisp, but where was it from...? Then you remember someone saying something about France. This step is exactly how you remember your favorite foods. The hardest part here is memory association with that glass of wine. This step takes time and practice as it is literally exercising a muscle memory part of your brain that helps you associate your sensory adventures to past memories. It will take some practice to calm your brain and listen; after a few times, it becomes natural. You got this!
Step 3 - The Sommelier / Wine Whisperer. Save yourself time, parking tickets, and money.
Don’t play the guessing game. Ask the wine pro or Sommelier at the bottle shop for help. They want to help you.
The two questions I always ask when helping someone select a bottle of wine are:
1) Are you having food with this wine, and if so, what type?
2) What is your price point?
Now for the fun part. Can you describe the wine?
Don’t overcomplicate it. Think in terms of how you would describe your favorite dish. I try to get in the habit of starting with the acronym, F.E.W. (Fruit, Earth, & Wood). Every time you have a glass of wine, use F.E.W.
Fruits: What fruits are you smelling and tasting? Green Apple? Grapefruit? Pear?
Earth: Are you smelling and tasting any Earthy notes? Damp earth? Maybe some chalky stones? Or Grass?
Wood: Lastly, can you smell/taste any wood? Think about that old cigar box your granddad had at the house. Or the cedar chest where your grandma kept all of her handmade blankets. These are the tools that you can use to help you describe wine.
Step 4 - Trust yourself & make a decision. Time to listen to the Sommelier's selections. Listen to how they describe each wine. Does the description match what you envisioned in your head? If not, keep looking and ask more questions. The more information you can give the Sommelier, the easier it will be to find your perfect bottle. Narrow down your choices to 2 bottles and then make the call. Pick the bottle that best matches the most descriptors that you gave the Sommelier and matches what they said. Remember, this is a game of trust but more importantly, have fun!
Step 5 - Enjoy the Experience Now that you have procured your bottle, you’re ready for tonight’s party! Now you can confidently talk about your new wine with everyone at the party! That’s the beauty of the wine world.
Exploring New Wines, creating New Experiences, and meeting New People!
Follow these 5 steps to find your perfect bottle of wine for any event!
The next time you get that “surprise” text message, you’ll be ready and know what to do!
About Jamison Law
Jamison Law-Valdez began his journey in the hospitality industry like many others, starting as a server in a local restaurant in Kansas. With a natural love for people, storytelling, and learning from others, he found his calling in hospitality. As an exchange student in Liège, Belgium, Jamison faced the challenge of adapting to a new language, ultimately mastering French within four months. This transformative experience solidified his passion for hospitality.
Jamison holds a degree in Linguistics and a minor in Philosophy from the University of Kansas. Combining his love for languages, history, and wine, he pursued a career as a sommelier. His dedication led him to earn a degree in Oenology and Viticulture, opening doors to opportunities in San Diego, California, where he worked alongside renowned figures in the wine industry.
With over 15 years of experience in sales and hospitality, Jamison has worked in various roles across different markets and countries, including Belgium, France, Mexico, and Canada. Now, he focuses on sharing his knowledge and expertise with aspiring sommeliers, driven by his passion for storytelling and continuous education in the beverage and hospitality industry.
In his pursuits, Jamison is committed to growth, constantly seeking new achievements like the CSW certification. He is also dedicated to language learning, embracing the challenge of mastering French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, and Czech. Jamison believes in evolving with the changing world and aims to inspire others to follow their dreams through his experiences and interactions with aspiring leaders.
Jamison is a Sommelier and Event Coordinator for the Wine Militia and focuses on the San Diego and Palm Springs surrounding area for booking experiences.
For more info on how to book your wine & beverage experiences for your groups -
contact: Jamison@thewinemilitia.com .
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