Okay, so it was brought to my attention that I may have been a bit harsh in my references to Cook’s in my last post. Now, it is never my intention to offend anybody (or especially any wine for that matter) but sometimes I can get a little worked up about specific topics, especially ones I feel passionate about… like bubbles.
Again, I am not out to offend. What I am out to do, however, is challenge you to think outside the box (so to speak) and perhaps introduce you to new beverages. I can’t tell you how many people I have met who claim to not like sparkling wine. “Why” I ask them? And they say it gives them headaches, or it’s too sweet, yada yada yada…. When I ask them “well which sparkling wines have you had” and their answer is Cook’s, then yes it’s my job to give them alternatives that they may enjoy.
Case in point: Mary’s Chardonnay Case Study
Let me get sidetracked for a minute… I promise I will return.
Back when I worked at Cathedral Ridge Winery I would get customers in the tasting room, oh probably everyday, who claimed to “not like” Chardonnay. When they tasted through the wines I would typically ask: “Are you interested in trying the Chardonnay?” And everyday I would have at least 1 customer (I am not exaggerating) who told me “no, I don’t like Chardonnay”.
I love these people!
The conversation would almost ALWAYS continue as follows:
Me: May I ask why?
Customer: Because they are too oaky (or buttery).
Me: Would you like to try this one. I promise it is not too oaky, and if you don’t like it you can dump it and I will give you a taste of anything else on our list for free! Besides it is my favorite white wine we make here (probably my favorite wine overall that was made there) and I would love your opinion on it.
Customer: (tastes the wine… pause… eyes light up)… Mmmm, you’re right, it’s not too oaky! I actually like this one! Hey (referring to their spouse/friend/whomever they came with) look, I actually found a Chardonnay I like!!!
And they usually bought it.
99 times out of 100 it went like that.
My favorite way to get them was on a tour. Anytime I took a group on a tour I always brought the Chardonnay, and at that specific part of the tour we would be outside in the vineyard (and I don’t bring a dump bucket on my tours) I would tell them if you don’t like it you can pour it on the grass… but they hardly ever did. Not to toot my own horn but I have converted many Chardonnay haters into lovers over this particular bottle of wine. And I sold a lot of Chardonnay there. Plus I have cool stories about Chardonnay to tell customers that basically revolve around the fact that Chardonnay's are all soooo different, and there really is a style that almost everyone can like if they are open to the idea. It’s about finding the style that’s right for them. Cathedral Ridge just had a style that appealed to a lot of people (both oak lovers and haters). If you don't believe me, I dare you to try it.
Back to my point: Cook’s
My response to the people who say they don’t like sparkling wine is the same as Chardonnay… “You just haven’t found the right one for you”. If you didn’t like Cook’s, tell me why and I will find an alternative.
If you love Cooks more power to you!!! Stick with it and your pocket book will love you for it. It is super inexpensive! Hey, My sister is still fondly in love with Boones Farm Strawberry Hill. That is her favorite “wine”… and you know what, more power to you sister! You go and drink that Boones Farm. If you love it, I support your choice!
It’s like beer (okay, one more sidetrack)...
I live in Portland (aka the microbrew capital of the country), and my husband is obsessed with Pabst. He gets a lot of crap from his microbrew drinking buddies about his beer of choice, but I personally think it’s awesome (not the beer, but the fact that he drinks Pabst)!!! He can get a 24 pack for around $10… That means more money to spend on wine ☺
So, if you hear me going off on a specific product it’s because I truly believe that there really is a wine for everybody! That is unless, of course, you just don’t drink alcohol at all… and in that case, hey good for you! I can, however, recommend some lovely sparkling waters that you may enjoy!
At the end of the day, drink what you like (and what you can afford)!!! And if you don’t like something let me know and I will help you find an alternative. I am a good listener! Cheers
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