Language and wine are
two subjects I can easily geek out over. It isn’t uncommon for me to lose track
of time doing research on some obscure detail related to either one. I consider
it a privilege to be able to talk or write about either one of these topics individually.
But an opportunity to write or talk about both of them together... well, that’s
just playtime!
So in the spirit
of lighthearted play, let’s talk about wine descriptions. When you’ve read
hundreds of them, it’s easy to start to gloss over them quickly either out of
boredom (“I’ve read this a million times
before”) or skepticism (“How accurate
is this really?”). Next time you come across a wine tasting note, try to
look at it with fresh eyes. What adjectives does the writer use to describe it?
Have you ever
noticed that some of the words we commonly use to talk about a wine’s characteristics
are similar to words we use to describe a person’s character qualities? You
know, words like energetic, bold and dramatic. Or
timid, complex and understated.
Wine Folly published an article several
years ago that matched red wines with personality types based on the
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). I’ve listed these below for your amusement.
Even if you’ve never heard of the MBTI, they’re still fun, aren’t they? Remember
that we’re just playing here. This isn’t meant to be at all scientific or overly
serious. Apparently, I’m a Syrah, in case you were curious!
Barbera - serious, traditional [ISTJ]
Cabernet Franc - generous, utopian
[INFP]
Cabernet Sauvignon - intense,
imaginative [INTJ]
Carménère - imaginative, generous
[ENFP]
Gamay - adventurous, intriguing [ISFP]
Grenache (Garnatxa) - harmonious,
versatile [ESFJ]
Malbec - pragmatic, flexible [ESTP]
Merlot - social, tried-and-true [ENFJ]
Mourvèdre (Monastrell) - versatile,
complex [ISTP]
Nebbiolo - decisive, forceful [ENTJ]
Petit Verdot - unassuming,
approachable [ISFJ]
Pinot Noir - focused, restrained
[INTP]
Sangiovese -
frank, adaptable [ENTP]
Syrah - romantic, seductive [INFJ]
Tempranillo
(Ull de Llebre) - unpretentious, logical [ESTJ]
Zinfandel - outgoing, exuberant [ESFP]
Intrigued by this
idea of drawing comparisons between wine and people, sometimes I’ll ask friends
in the wine industry this question: If you were a wine, which wine would you be... and why? Here are the answers I got from some of them.
MiguelCoronado, winemaker and technical director at
Clos d’Agon, says that he would be a Cabernet Franc. Powerful, yet restrained.
Elegant. Persistent. And having a refined complexity. I think Miguel has played
this game before.
Ester
Rocaginé, sommelier and former classmate at
the URV in Tarragona, describes herself as an old vine garnatxa from the
Priorat – the kind that yields small, but concentrated fruit. The kind that
struggles to thrive under difficult climatic conditions, but not in any
negative sense. The adversity this vine has seen not only brings out its best
qualities, but also serves as a reminder of its identity and where it has come
from.
EduardSanromà, winemaker and owner of his family’s
winery, Celler Sanromà, tells us that he would be either a Parellada or a
Macabeu, but not like the kind you might find at the supermarket. This white
wine would be made with skin contact. Wild. Pure. Easygoing. He didn’t mention bold
and unafraid of taking risks, but I don’t think he’d mind if I add these to his
self-assessment.
Imma Solé Llop, sommelier and co-owner of her
family’s winery, Cellers Tarroné, takes this exercise to a whole new level with
her comprehensive self-reflection. As a wine, she would be a Riesling, she
explains, based on how it evolves in the bottle over time. A young Riesling is known
for its freshness, bold aromas and high, yet balanced acidity. These are qualities that reflect her youth – fun,
playful, transparent with a direct communication style – a style that to some
may come across as a little sharp (like the acidity of the wine), but people
who know her well understand that her frankness is part of who she is and
balances out her other character qualities. As a Riesling ages in bottle, it
becomes much more balanced, structured and complex while retaining a hint of
sweetness that forms a part of its character – all qualities that Imma
identifies with as she matures and continues to evolve as a person. If she were
a wine grape, however, Imma would not
be a Riesling. Instead, she tells us that she would be a white Garnatxa which,
like her, as a native of its environment that thrives best in its territory of
origin, is also incredibly adaptable and resistant to difficult conditions like
drought. Like Imma who gets along with everyone, this grape is flexible and
versatile in a variety of situations, from winemaking styles to food pairing
options. The common thread between Imma’s wine and grape choices: both have
strong, distinctive character qualities. Like Imma, they’re frank, authentic expressions
of their truest nature and are incapable of being anything other than
themselves.
Your turn. Which wine would you say best expresses your personality?
By Carla Gordillo @polyglotsomm
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