Do you know your (my) Cognac?

[mstevens]

Disclaimer: I grew up with a father who started buying wine when we lived in France and Germany in the early 60's. Some of my earliest memories entail being bored to death at tastings at vineyards we'd never get into these days. My wedding gift from my father was 12 bottles of wine worth (at the time in 1981) nearly $10,000 (although he'd probably paid a couple hundred for all of them). His friends were total fanatics who practically never drank anything that was less than hundreds per bottle. I've tasted pre-(French) Revolution Cognacs and Armagnacs, and Scotches whose origins are lost in the mists of time, 1927 Ports, and so on.

Some of those wines and spirits were quite tasty, indeed. Frankly, I wouldn't buy any of them even if I were an eleventybillionaire. There's far more pleasure for me in finding the $18 wine that's perfect for a given meal or occasion and about which there's no worry about opening another bottle. It's more enjoyable to drink a Scotch that isn't priced by the drop or a Port that won't bankrupt me if the glass gets knocked over. Besides, I've learned that I like to taste the peat in my Scotch, the grape pips in my Cognac, the molasses in my Rum and the agave and mesquite in my Mezcal and Tequila - I don't enjoy the highly-refined and "genteel" products nearly as much. I can take more risks ("I wonder how this PBJ would go with a glass of Port?") with my everyday tipple than with something hifalutin and spendy.

Wines, beers, and spirits are agricultural products that are meant to be enjoyed while being consumed. Collectors enjoy collecting them, but to me they're worth nothing if they're not drunk so a bottle on the shelf or in the cellar isn't actually good for anything.

Don't even get me started on fancy "commemorative" or "collectible" bottles. They make about as much sense to me as commemorative cereal boxes.

[triangleforge]

After the Loma Prieta earthquake, I heard more than one story of collectible, impossible to replace bottles of wine that were tasted wrung from sponges. Even if I weren't a horrible cheapskate, I suspect I'd still be in the "enjoy it now, they'll make more" camp.

[djrashonal]

Not sure when Ill pop it..........

Well I am flying into town tomorrow...if that isnt a good reason I dont know what is!

[mstevens]

After the Loma Prieta earthquake, I heard more than one story of collectible, impossible to replace bottles of wine that were tasted wrung from sponges. Even if I weren't a horrible cheapskate, I suspect I'd still be in the "enjoy it now, they'll make more" camp.

Oooh. Ouch.