If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that taste matters.

Ah, but that sentence needs clarification because there are a number of different taste subjects I could be referencing.

For instance, I could be talking about one’s preference in clothing style but that brings up some caveats, too. My preference in clothing may not be your preference in clothing — you may hate my laidback style of dressing and I may find great disgust in your up to date very stylish type of clothing. Our taste in apparel may be polar opposites but that’s alright because taste is personal, right?

Let’s push this taste thing a bit further.

I don’t like tofu. I cannot understand its taste appeal. To me, it’s a mass of gummy substance that has no taste. Even when it’s paired with another food — and you can name whatever accompanying food items you want here — my taste buds are totally zoned out by it. No taste, not good looking and no scent equals ugh!

However, I know people who really enjoy tofu and that’s good. It’s a matter of taste and they can have my portion of a tofu meal. At that moment, I’m a great sharing person!

What’s your taste in music? I enjoy listening to all types of music, but I need a beat, good lyrics and a nice melody. I get bored listening to just one musical genre constantly but I know folks who listen to just R & B, or only to country and western, or just to hip hop/rap or only to classical. To each their own.

However, I’ve learned something else about taste — it changes over time!

It wasn’t until a few years ago that I began to enjoy an onion like it should be enjoyed. I grew up eating onions only with liver — maybe that’s why I didn’t like onions! When I learned of the beautiful tastes and aromas that come from the various onion varieties, a tasting door opened for me that allowed my entry into the wonderful flavors and scents of onions. I can’t get enough caramelized onions! My sense of taste changed — perhaps, matured is a better word?

One thing about tasting hasn’t changed for me and that’s my pleasure in tasting new wines! I thought I was really starting to develop a good sense of taste for wines when I discovered this: females have a better developed sense of smell and taste than males!

What? Are you kidding me? Why did males get shorted on tasting cells?

Well, it’s true that females have over 40 percent more olfactory cells — those cells that allow us to smell things and which leads to a sense of memory taste. It’s just the way we humans have historically evolved but it doesn’t mean one sex is better than the other — so there, ladies! (Sorry, my maleness had to kick in at some point!)

What this difference in our ability to taste means is that we need each other to fully explore and define certain things in our lives. So, let one of those “certain things” in life be wine.

I read in a wine magazine that Washington state’s 14 Hands Winery produces a very good white blend called Hot to Trot. This winery honors the wild horses that once roamed the Columbia River valley before vineyards were planted there. Hot to Trot was supposed to be very tasty but to me, it wasn’t.

The lively aromas and flavors of citrus didn’t meet my taste bud’s expectations. I liked its nice smooth finish but the wine’s overall taste experience didn’t excite my taste buds. Maybe it’s because I have those 40 percent fewer olfactory cells than females but maybe it’s just because I expected more from the wine. I know a female someone with whom I’ll taste test this wine — should be interesting.

Since I like a good Cabernet Sauvignon, I was excited about California’s Noble Vines’ 337. Yes, 337 — the number refers to the vine stock which is a very old vine originating from Bordeaux, France. Upon tasting, my 40 percent fewer olfactory cells exploded with rich blackberry and oak tastes. The wine’s complexity is amazing, the color is a deep dark red and its aroma centers on its oaky vanilla.

I absolutely loved this wine. Not only because of its taste but because it made me focus on my sense of taste — it reminded me that taste matters.

Yes, taste matters but not just because it means we want to eat or drink more. It matters because our sense of taste (No matter how many olfactory cells one possesses — I’ll get over it one day, maybe… ), is one of our gateways to life.

It doesn’t matter if it’s our clothing style, our eating habits, our beverage of choice or any of the other choices we make in life, taste matters and it’s a good way to socialize.

Next week, what does all this mean?

As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!