DustyBosie

It really depends on the season, but overall I tend to really love porters and anything exceptionally dark or malty. New Holland Dragon's Milk is pretty high up there for me, but I could drink Dark Horse Scotty Karate until the end of time.

Thanksgiving wine I'd say is up there with one of the most difficult pairings to make, primarily because it's a table full of competing flavors. You have the turkey (and who knows how its been prepared), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, freaking cranberry sauce, green bean cassarole, parsnips, and those are all big bold flavors. I've really only found one wine that I could go out and say "this goes with all of that." Your best bet for Thanksgiving though, would be something elegent and laid back. A Wilamette or Loire Pinot Noir would be pretty ideal. But something that will lay back and not try to battle the food for attention.

So Christmas though, Zinfandel! Find a big, boozey bottle of velvet-y, fuck-the-snow Zinfandel, save it for dessert in front of the fire, and tell every embarrassing family story you can think of.

I'm actually really loving a lot of these tests that are coming out. I think it's going to do a lot in taking down the pretentious types a lot and show that wine really is a lot more accessable than people are led to believe.

And you're right, taste is exceptionally subective. Wine is a lot like music. I could tell you that I Am the Movie by Motion City Soundtrack is an amazing album, but if you don't like high energy stuff with tons of synthesizers talking about mental struggles, then that recommendation doesn't mean anything to you. When a wine expert says that an ultra tannic Cabernet from Napa is world-class or 100-points, they're using their own palate as the benchmark for that rating. But that doesn't mean you're wrong for completely disagreeing with them.

I personally don't read any wine reviews. I'd much rather taste a wine for myself and know I like it for my own reasons. And when people tell me what they like and why they like it, it makes those wines the best wines in the world for them.

Also, a little devil's advocate. Some variables in that test could be that the palate is extremely sensitive. A big wine up front can ruin how you taste for the rest of the day (think drink a huge IPA and then trying to taste the subtle notes in a Pilsner). Also, taste buds change as you grow older and causes our palate to change along with them.

That being said, I'm glad that reviewers and judges have to take this analysis into consideration.

Portugal is always my go to for this. I still can't believe how affordable their wines can be. It might be different in your area, but I feel like I can always find a bottle of nonsensically good Dao for between $10-$15. And Vinho Verde in the summer is the freaking best.

That only the wealthy can ever have the opportunity to drink good wine or to learn about wine.

It's a genuine bummer, but the archetype is pretty strong. Lord Moneybag von Douchington is drinking his 1923 Chateau le la Touroule and no one else gets that chance.

But the weird part, a lot of people in that income bracket probably know the least about wine. In my experience, the majority of them know their brand, stick with it, and have no interest in even attempting anything new.

The cool thing about wine, is that its always been meant for everyone, and really anyone can learn about wine.