Wine Information

Wine pretentiousness and their snobs?

How come people are always telling me , "No, you shouldn't chill that wine and you should only drink that wine with this food, etc." ? I happen to like all wines at room temperature. What's it to them? Who are they to tell me at what temperature I should drink my wine and what food I should drink red and white wine with. If I want my wine as hot a hot chocolate, it's no one's place to say anything about it. It's no wonder I'm not a people person. Lisa H, I heard that 2BuckChuck is what you serve when you want your guests to start leaving ;) LOL! :)

Public Comments

1. Who cares about all the conventions, customs and pointless blabbering about wine. Personally, if I have to drink it at all, it's to get *drunk*. I don't really care how it's served, how old it is, and how many yuppies are obsessed with bickering over it.
2. Congratulations! You're out of the box and a leader!
3. It is important to some people, They are just imparting their knowledge, not forcing you to do it.
4. Yes there are definite wine snobs out there. And there are definite recommendations for how to drink wine, and what to drink it with. But I say, drink what you like, the way you like it. Isn't that the whole point? Enjoyment? Afterall, wine is just grape juice, right? Just say thank you for your advice, but I prefer it this way. Then let it go. I drink wine from a box because I like a single glass and don't want a whole bottle to go bad...people say that isn't classy. I buy some wines with screw-tops because I believe corks have a higher failure rate..people say that isn't classy. Well guess what, I work hard for my money, and want to enjoy what I buy. I pay no attention to those types of people, and you shouldn't either. Drink your whites warm with red meat if it makes you happy!
5. Temperature suggestions are just that- some wines are just better slightly or very chilled and some are just fine as they are. Really you can take or leave any recommendation and shouldn't take offense to someone chiming in "oh this Merlot is perfect at 55degrees" if you like it at room temp or even brought to a rolling boil that is your preference and should effect none but you. Cheers!
6. I think people who say absolutely you have to drink this this way and that that way really turn off everyone to drinking wine. I will say though, that drinking certain wines at certain temperatures and pairing with the right foods really brings out the best in the wine and the food.
7. Wine snobs are always the shits that know little!!
8. That attitude is holding the wine industry back a lot. Seriously, I love wine. I run a wine website. And even I won't drink wine when I go to a sports bar to watch a football game. I mean I usually really could care less about what others think. But because of that attitude I would feel like a p***y if I was drinking wine at the game. So the net result is a lot of people don't drink wine who would really like it. The snobby attitude keeps them from even trying it. I love red wine myself. I drink red wine unless there isn't anything but white. It's fun to mix it with fish and watch people freak out.
9. Some wines taste better at different temperatures, and some wines go better with certain foods. For example, a light-tasting wine would be over-powered by spicy beef. It may taste good, but a different paring might taste better. Same with temps. An ice-cold merlot might be okay, but you might get more enjoyment out of it if it were room temperature. That's why some people suggest certain foods and certain temperatures -- that's what worked best for them. In and of itself, that's not snobby. The snobs are the ones who say, you _must_ drink such-and-such wine thusly, or you're a barbarian. Snobs also often turn their noses up at any wine under $50 per bottle. Feel free to politely ignore such people. On the other hand, the folks at the Wall Street Journal wine column enjoy finding good wines under $10 or $15, and talk about what wine goes good with hamburgers. That's the difference between snobs and folks who like wine.
10. Drink it however you want. But, be prepared for people to want to help you discover the way that they think it tastes best. And the way that it's "supposed" to be served. If you want to drink it hot, then go for it. But know that YOU are the one outside the norm and you can't expect everyone to ignore that. If you don't want to be criticized for it, then don't act like you are superior to others who have opinions.
11. they are being lame, idiotic snobs. first rule of thumb that any good wine person would tell you is drink what you want and how you want. To me when you get that sort of comment, is usually somebody who has taken up wine as a hobby and they are trying to act all superior and know it all. yes, I am a bit of a wine snob. I work i the wine industry and I know what wines should be served at what teamp, I am not a fan of 2 buck chuck. but that doesn't stop me from dirinking my sauv blanc at room temp with a steak or throwing ice cubes in my red wine to chill it and having fettuccini alfredo. none of which go together by the way. but dang it that's what I wanted. drink whatever you want however you want...it is your choice and don't let anybody tell you otherwise.
12. It's just suggestions on what has worked in the past or basics in wine presentation. But like many others here, you should drink what you like, how you like and with what you like to eat. It is to please you and no one else. Who cares what others think? I'm in the wine industry too and you can't believe over the past 20 years the snobs that I've run into. The know it alls are the ones who turn people off on wine. It's a beverage, it's fun and should be enjoyed. I stop people in mid sentence when they start acting like a snob, I don't have time for that... Have fun with wine. Do what you want...
13. It seems you know little about wines. its a delicacy. they dont take wines likes sodas or water. follow their protocols. Ask the French en Russians
14. Wine is subjective to a lot of people. Some want to prove to you how smart they are and how cultured they think they are. What I taste isn't what you taste. How I like my wine isn't how you like your wine. When you come over for dinner, I'll serve it how I like it, but will absolutely honor your request and not give you any grief about it. If we were friends, I would know what you drink and how you like it! As a sommelier I have to know about wine. When people ask, they want an informed opinion. However, as a merchant, I really don't care what wine people buy or how it's served or stored. As long as folks buy wine, I'm good with that.