I'm going to be honest, and not in the kind of way that is self-serving or flattering, more in the kind of way that exposes a kind of hidden douchebaggery. I admit that I've always had a tendency towards a certain benign snobbishness. I've never been overtly snobby, but somewhere deep down I've always felt a sort of pity or eye rolling condescension toward people who listened to Britney Spears or other mainstream pop music. I've always been the indy guy, the guy who was too cool for the Summer blockbuster or romantic comedy. The same could be said for my attitude towards wine.
This weekend I was watching some movies, and I was struck by the fact that I don't always want a super complex movie. Sometimes I just want to turn my brain off a little and enjoy an old James Bond film, or maybe even a stupid Adam Sandler comedy, if you'll forgive the redundancy. So why do I begrudge my fellow wine drinkers a little Summer blockbuster wine?
Just like some movies really make you work to understand them, there are wines that engage your mind as well as your palate. These are the Mementos or Pis of the wine world. Does the fact that these wines are more complex mean that they are better than the simple wines…, well, yeah. Kind of like how Radiohead is just better than Creed. Still, there is a time for every type of movie, and there is also a time for all different wines. Sometimes you feel like working your way through the existentialist mess that is Being John Malkovich, and sometimes you just want to enjoy the Princess Bride.
Some wines are just plain delicious. There is nothing complex or mysterious about them, but they are just fun to drink. Like listening to an AC/DC album, you may know that there is nothing brilliant about the wine, but you just can't help but love it.
We all have our guilty pleasures when it comes to movies or music, and there's nothing wrong with that. There's nothing wrong with listening to Michael Jackson, and there is nothing wrong with enjoying a bottle of Yellowtail or Barefoot. For each of us, the only bad bottle of wine is the one we don't like. Whatever you enjoy drinking at any given moment is a good wine for you, but seriously, Britney sucks.
Seriously – ACDC is genious and brilliant. Angus is a monster guitar player…anyway…
I agree. Brittany sucks, but sometimes a nice “smooth” fruity wine hits the spot. Plus I can’t afford to be a snob.
Josh
Of course I meant genius, only a genius spells genius genious – adding an extra letter makes it seem smarterer, right.
Haha yes! I often struggle with the same snobbery in my music tastes. It’s hard to reconcile having a certain level of knowledge and still enjoying the baser bands. I’m not at that level with wine yet, though. I’ll leave that struggle to you fine folks while I wander through the boxed wine aisle
Agreed.
I was just reading Lettie Teague’s latest piece in Food & Wine this morning and it struck me that folks of immense wealth who think of $30 Vouvray as mere cooking wine live in an alternate reality I could never comprehend.
Thanks for reminding everyone that wine is about fun and pleasure, which comes in many forms. Those who think otherwise live so far up in the clouds that they have forgotten what terra firma looks, feels, sounds and tastes like.
Cheers!
Did you just equate Britney Spears with “The Princess Bride”? Inconceivable!
But seriously, I think any of us outside the wine writing mainstream, even if we are a *bit* snobbish, understand the concept and appeal of the summer sipper wine, or simply finding something cheap and enjoyable.
But Barefoot? Really? I’m spoiled, I have access to some great, world-class wine shops. It makes it hard for me to go to Safeway and pay $6 a bottle for Barefoot when I can go to K&L and pick up a Perrin et Fils Cote-du-Rhone for $8. But hey, that’s my situation, not everyone’s.
Nice commentary, Ben.
Josh, you are right about the fact that some things slide between the categories. I even thought about this while I was writing it. I love movies like The Big Lebowski, which I think is in an entirely different category of comedy from Billy Madison, even though they share a similar fanbase.
Josh S., I’m not really there with wine either. I have finely developed my snobbishness in music, going back to my punk rock days. I also tend to be a little snobby with movies, but not to the extent that I am with tunes.
Kevin, yeah I don’t see myself cooking with $30 wines anytime soon.
Steve, I really muddled some different categories together. I never really specified that some things just suck, while others fit into the category of “simple pleasures.” I love “The Princess Bride”, and would certainly not classify it in the same category with Britney Spears. Had a harder time thinking of music that was a simple pleasure as opposed to just sucky.
I’m mad you used Radiohead and Creed in the same sentence. How’s that for snobbery.
Right on…I think we all have a little inert snob in us, whether wine, music, etc. Keeping it to ourselves is the key. In fact, I bought some Ke$ha just to keep myself honest (“Tik Tok” = terrible, but some damn catchy).
When it comes to wine…sometimes, I just don’t want to have to think about it. Nothing wrong with that.
I guess we all probably have a little douchbagness going on. Thanks for acknowledging yours – I hear admitting it is the first step! I had a similar experience with Oregon’s Duck Pond: http://sipwithme.blogspot.com/2010/01/at-last-it-wine-snob-free-zone.html
Hey Joe, forgive me Thom York, for I have sinned. I dared mention Creed in the same breath as my beloved Radiohead.
I’m probably far more tolerant with wine than music. I gotta say, I try to avoid listening to anyone with a dollar sign in their name.
Tamera, I remember reading that post. Really great reminder that you have to stay open to trying anything, otherwise you might miss something that you will enjoy. Hope you will help me keep my inner douchebag in check by calling me out on it if you see it making an appearance.