6 Things I DON'T Do as a Wine Professional

6 Things I Don’t Do as a Wine Educator (and Why That’s Totally Okay)

Do I love learning about wine?
Heck yeah!
Does wine always need to be taken so seriously?
Hell no!

One of my favorite things about wine is that you can never stop learning about it! It’s truly impossible to know everything. And another favorite thing? It tastes darn good! But here’s the thing: just because I work in wine doesn’t mean I do all the “wine person” things. In fact, there are quite a few wine-world norms that I skip completely, and I’m here to tell you, that’s totally okay.

So let’s get into it. Here are six things I don’t do when it comes to wine:

1. Take notes on every wine I drink
Sure, sometimes I jot down tasting notes when I’m really focused or trying something new. But other times? I’m just sipping wine with friends, enjoying the moment. Not every glass needs to be an official tasting. Sometimes wine is just wine!

2. Pronounce everything perfectly
Wine comes from all over the world, and that means a lot of different languages. I do my best with pronunciation, but I definitely stumble from time to time. I just hope folks can tell what I’m trying to say, and if not, it’s a great chance to learn something new together.

3. Care deeply about vintages
Yes, I get a little thrill when I open a bottle with some age on it. But can I tell you the difference between the 2021 and 2022 vintage of the same wine off the top of my head? Nope! And that’s okay. Sometimes I just want to enjoy what’s in my glass without overthinking it.

4. Perfectly pair wine with food
I love a good food and wine pairing but I’m also not afraid to break the “rules.” If I’m craving a certain wine and it totally clashes with dinner? Who cares! I’m drinking what I want.

5. Blind taste wine like a pro
Blind tasting can be fun (and humbling!), but it’s not my mission to name a wine’s grape, region, and vintage just from a sip. Huge respect to those who love that challenge, it’s just not something I personally focus on.
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6. Drink wine every night
Despite popular belief, I don’t drink wine every day! I believe in balance. Wine is meant to be enjoyed, not overdone. I always make space for a few dry days each week, which makes the wine I do drink even more special.

So, which of these surprised you the most?
Got your own “unpopular” wine opinions or habits? Share them in the comments—I’d love to hear!
And remember: wine is for everyone—whether you’re sipping, swirling, or just straight-up enjoying.
Cheers! 🍷