What I’ve Learned Sitting Around a Table with Wine

I’ve spent a lot of time around wine—studying it, working with it, talking about it—but honestly, some of the best reminders come from the simplest moments.

Recently, I was sitting around a table with a few others, tasting through some wines and just talking. Nothing formal. No structure. Just a few honest reactions and a lot of conversation.

And it struck me again how different everyone’s experience can be.

One person immediately noticed fruit. Another talked about how smooth it felt. Someone else didn’t try to describe it at all—they just knew whether they liked it.

And the truth is, all of those responses are right.

I think sometimes people feel like they need the “right” words when it comes to wine. Like there’s a test they didn’t study for. But that’s not how it works—not here, anyway.

What I’ve learned over the years, whether I was out in Napa or right here in Iowa, is that wine is personal. The more you try, the more you start to understand your own preferences—and that matters a lot more than memorizing tasting notes.

Those moments around the table are my favorite. Not because everything is perfect or polished, but because they’re real.

Good conversation. Different opinions. A few laughs.

That’s what wine is supposed to be.

And if you ever feel unsure about what you’re tasting or what you’re “supposed” to notice, don’t overthink it.

Just take a sip and trust your own experience.

—Judy