From Drinking Wine to Learning Wine: Expanding My Palate

For a long time, I was guilty of something many wine lovers do—sticking to my tried-and-true favorites. I was all about California Cabs and Argentine Malbecs, and they were great, but I realized I was drinking the same thing over and over again. That’s when I decided it was time to really learn about wine, not just drink it.

I started exploring different grape varietals and being open to drinking wine in new ways. One of the biggest things I learned was how much where your wine is made matters. For example, I discovered I have a love for juicy reds from warm climates. The hot air in these regions helps ripen the grapes, making them fuller, juicier, and packed with flavor. That knowledge opened my world to wines I might’ve overlooked before.

Learning about wine has been such a fun and eye-opening journey. Now, instead of reaching for the same bottle, I’m excited to try something new and expand my palate. There’s a whole world of wine out there, and the more you know, the more there is to love.

—Ashley Cooper