Some time back, we had planned a dinner party for a few couples.  The goal was to prepare each dish with a different region in mind.  As I recall, we laid out five separate dishes: a starter, a first, two seconds (or entres) and dessert.  I can’t quite recall the specifics of each course and which were representative of which region but that’s ok.  It’s immaterial to what transpired from there.

You see, like so many who love wine, I was intent on breaking out some of my finest wines from each region to pair with each course, a Bordeaux, Southern Rhone, and Barolo all were in the hunt as were Sauternes and late harvest Riesling.  It just seemed to be the right occasion for the wines, that is until my wife asked the “big question."  Approaching me kindly, she inquired whether I really wanted to share the wines with the crowd?  “Why not,” I responded.  “This is great opportunity to share and educate.”  She simply looked at me with a rather pained expression that simply said, “really……………..really?”  Upon inquiring why she was hesitant, she answered the “big question.”  She felt that the group probably wouldn’t appreciate the meaning of the wine; its heritage and history, its class and its status amongst wines.   Over the ensuing few days, I struggled with what I should do.  I was feeling a little deflated because I wanted to share my enthusiasm with the crowd.  After all, a collector collects both to savor the items as well as to share the enthusiasm with others.  I once spoke with the collector of M & M memorabilia (yes the candy company) whose face just lit with pride as he shared with me the collectibles from decades past.  On the other hand, was I acting a little snobbish, reserving  the wines only for those who could appreciate them?  Fortunately, another few days clarified the picture as I let me pride recede.