What makes a good wine?

Lets get things straight from the get go, I am still young and naive and very new to wine. With that confession out of the way I wanted to share a recent eye-opener experience that prompted the question in me of what it is really that makes a great wine?

Many of you may already have the answer or are simply reading in hopes of finding one (if its the latter you're in for a rollercoaster). Growing up I've always had this idea that wine was this thing that is drank to boast ones own sophistication and prestige. Being able draw a defining red line between child and adult, rather than being enjoyed solely in its own right. This suspicion was confirmed once I began to taste the curious liquid in my early adulthood and has been my prevailing opinion pre-epiphany.

My epiphany came in the form of a person with glasses, a middle part haircut, and cladding of white and black resembling a rebellious k-pop artist. Long story short, his obsession with wine was so infectious that I'm now displaying early symptoms of his condition. After having attended a wine-taster event with this oenophile, I have emerged with a storm in my subconscious that is tearing away decades of false perception and leaving a trail of questions in its wake.

So what is it really that makes a good wine?

Certainly the price tag is a logical starting point. While it is generally accepted that a higher price tag means a higher quality wine. This metric takes into account only the intrinsic value of the asset based on quantifiable properties like production methods, ingredient qualities and branding. Price has no soul and neither does capitalism, which is why wine has remained a timeless staple after millennia of enjoyment. Price is the answer to finding a nice wine but what is it that makes a good wine?

Lets dig deeper. Wine has a soul as it is still very much alive, from the moment the grape seed is lain into the earth to the last drop of elixir, life exists. Life brings with it gravity, a pull of attraction that ripples throughout the wine's life cycle, bonding a harmonious connection between consumer, retailer, producer, and harvester. It ignites the senses with a whisper and an aroma, and brings with it a warmth, texture, and taste as if it were human. The secret to good wine then must be within its soul, harnessing that lies within those involved in its life cycle.

Who then makes a good wine?

Wine is inherently subjective to the palate of the enjoyer. It is then obvious that a romantic chemistry must occur between those involved to establish a good wine. An unspoken attraction between patron and provider must exist and recognised through the soul of the wine itself. Recognising this connection can create tangible friendships and real experiences far surpassing the aura of wine alone.

Is good wine love?

Thank you for reading, sorry if you're disappointed with the open ended nature of my story but I have yet to discover the answer for myself. I hope this story helps you to find your own answers or at least puts you on the right track. Life is a journey and we're all in the same boat so enjoy the most of it because it is precious.