Truth is; wine can be intimidating, and guys want to seem knowledgeable about the stuff (without sounding like a pompous ass.) One of the world’s leading wine authorities, Mark Oldman (author of Oldman’s Brave New World of Wine), shares his expert opinion on how to get by ordering, tasting and talking about wine.
AmongMen: What’s your go-to wine for a first date? For impressing an important client?
Mark Oldman: For a first date – Pinot Noir: The world’s best wine for food, Pinot Noir is a light-to-medium bodied red with bright berry fruit flavors, perhaps some smoke, mouthwatering acidity, and a smooth, sometimes satiny, texture. It’s so likable I call it the “Juicy Berry Kiss” in my books. Impressing a client? Châteauneuf-du-Pape: A product of the Southern Rhone’s intense sun, chilly wind, and mysteriously stony soil, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a lusty, full-bodied red combining ripe roasted berry fruit with pepper and other spices. Just being able to pronounce it — Shah-toe-nuff dew PAHP – will score points.
AM: What’s your biggest wine faux paux?
MO: Holding on to good bottles for too long. The time to drink most wine is now.
AM: In your opinion, what is the most underrated varietal of wine?
MO: Gamay, as it is appears in the cru Beaujolais wines of eastern France. When done well, these wines lighter style reds deliver a refreshing, exuberant, and sometimes surprisingly complex red at an affordable price.
AM: What’s your favourite Canadian wine?
MO: The reflexive choice is Inniskillin Ice Wine, the world-class dessert wine that I have treasured for many years. Recently I’ve come to admire the incredible quality coming out of Niagra, which has thrilling sparkling wine, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc. Cave Spring, Chateau des Charmes, Peller Estates, and Meglomaniac are among my favorites.
AM: What’s the difference between vintage and non-vintage wines?
MO: Vintage simply reflects the weather conditions of the year in which the grapes were grown. So when a wine is labeled with a vintage year, as most are, it’s telling you that all of the grapes were grown in that particular year. Non-Vintage, which you often see in basic-level Champagnes and other sparkling wine, indicates that that the wine is a blend of different years, in part so they can maintain a consistent house style.
AM: What are the two most important things to be able to talk about when tasting a glass of wine? What are some good adjectives to remember?
MO: 1. Acidity: is your wine crisp, tangy, tongue-tingling or does it have low acidity, with a soft, sometimes even flabby or dull texture? Ask yourself how much acidity you like in your wine. 2. Body: Is your wine full-bodied – that is, rich, heavier, mouth-filling or is it light-bodied, lean, almost like water? You should determine which style you like better.
Wanting to learn even more about wine? The world’s leading wine authorities including Mark Oldman will help guests amplify their senses during a convivial collection of expertly tutored wine tastings throughout Toronto FOOD & WINE Festival September 18-20. These oenophiles will guide guests through the exploration, expression, and realization of vivacious vinos.
