People tell us all the time that they want to start taking notes on wines, but they fear they won’t know how to describe them. They’ve read so many highfalutin and nonsensical winespeak descriptions that they’re paralyzed with fear about putting something down on paper. We recently encountered a Pinot Noir described by the winery as “buxom.” Yep, we know some wines have legs, but we’re having a hard time getting our heads around the notion that they have, well, you know.
Of course, there are some descriptors whose usage and meaning have been embraced enough to give them currency. One classic description of the smell of Sauvignon Blanc, for instance, is “cat’s pee” — that’s how it’s always put — though we’ve never sensed that ourselves, perhaps because we’re dog people… Here’s what’s important: The only notes worth keeping are notes that bring back tastes and memories to you. Only you know which words can do that for you. [WSJ]
No fixed plans. Not intent upon arriving.