It’s interesting how often we say something that doesn’t reflect how we really feel. For instance…

When you’ve been asked how things are going, how many times have you replied, “Oh, I’m fine!”? If you’re anything like me, that reply is just a reactive statement that does not reveal the burden you are carrying at that moment. However, it’s easier to flip out, “Oh, I’m fine!”, than to admit your true feelings, right?

We humans are still learning, aren’t we?

Why can’t we admit to the physical, mental or spiritual burden we are carrying at the moment?

Maybe it’s a symptom of our society?

Perhaps we just need to be more open with the folks in our life. One of the positives I’ve learned is that admitting a weakness is a sign of strength. But, don’t worry! I’m fine!

Recently, while reading about wine, the word ‘fine’ has been coming across my radar quite a bit. So, I began to seek answers to what makes a wine fine. Of course, to many wine experts, a fine wine means one with a long standing marketing tradition that promotes a specific wine region, a specific brand name and its history. All of these factors then result in a fine wine with a very fine (read, high) price.

After some thought, I’ve narrowed my concept of a fine wine down to four elements.

First, the wine must bring a sense of conviviality to you. Think of your favorite wine and how many times you’ve sipped it with your friends or family. A fine wine should be a social lubricant. It should aid in bringing people together to talk, relax and let off some accumulated personal steam.

Isn’t that what your fine wine does for you?

A fine wine should bring out the happiness within you and allow you to simple relax in whatever is your setting of choice.

Secondly, a fine wine should make you happy. Not because of the alcohol content, but because you like it. It shouldn’t matter the wine’s region of origin, the brand name or the grape varietal. If it makes you smile, it”s a fine wine. I recently taste tested a ten dollar bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon against a thirty dollar bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Honestly, I felt better with the less expensive wine.

Why?

Because I liked the ten dollar wine’s scent and taste more than the more expensive wine’s similar factors. The ten dollar wine was fine with me!

Thirdly, a fine wine should provide a sense of connecting you to a past event or place. Every time I have a German Gewürztraminer, I can place myself at a past wedding. At the event, I was asked to make a toast to the bride, and I’ll never forget how I verbally stumbled and bumbled through it.

I was unsure what to say because I’d never offered a toast in my life. Oh, yea! That particular wine is fine to me because of the terrific memories it created at that long ago celebration.

My fourth criteria for a fine wine is that it will urge you to have another glass of it. When that urging occurs, it’s the variety of the grape speaking to you — not the brand of the wine.

Why does such a reaction denote a fine wine?

Because you like it, and, isn’t liking something, a fine feeling?

During a recent visit to a local winery, I purchased a bottle of blended red wine. Now, this is a Minnesota grown grape wine, and one can expect such reds to catch your attention with its hardy tartness. And, it did!

However, the wine surprised me by being less tart than I expected, and finished with a pleasing raspberry flavor. I don’t care if this wine wins any awards. I’ll continue to drink it because it’s a fine wine to me.

In the world of wine, you’ll be introduced to a wide variety of choices. Don’t be take in by marketing or high pricing. Let your definition of a fine wine be one that reunites you with a good experience, an amazing visit to somewhere or when you were able find an inner sense of peace. Your fine wine is your choice.

If we run into each other one day, and you ask me how I’m feeling, don’t be surprised if I look you in your eyes and ask for a few moment of your time. I think we’ll both feel fine. As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!