George, I was telling Ken recently that where I live is wine country. Its virtually impossible to grow up here and not be involved in the wine industry in some way. Its one of our biggest exports. Half of my family and friends are (or have been) in the industry.
I cant tell you how hopeful I am that my sense of smell will return to a reasonable degree. (OK I'll try)
Over my life I have mapped in my brain flavours that distinguish regions, varieties, styles and in some cases even different clones of grapes. A Pinot Noir 777 compared to a D116 was once identifiable to me.
I once stood in a room of 36 wine drinkers with my Dad where we all had to stand and were asked questions about the wine we were tasting.
"Is this wine a Cabernet, a Shiraz or a Merlot? If you picked anything other than Shiraz please sit down." This went on through Blended/Unblended, Which State, which region, mixed or specific oak, kind of oak and finally year. My Dad and I were the last 2 standing. It was his birthday so I let him win
My Dad makes wine with his best mate Carmine who owns the Henry Martin wine label and makes the wine at Stonyfell (Where Max Shubert invented Penfolds Grange Hermitage).
I can tell you as many (interesting to me and most probably boring as bat shit to you) stories about wine as you like but I cant tell you how hard it has been to sit with a table full of winemakers and knowledgeable wine drinkers or family (quite often the same thing) with all of this knowledge in my head, a room full of interested and interesting people and I'm forced to sip and smile and refrain from joining in, let alone experience what they are all talking about.
One of my favourite winemakers is Tim Knapstein. During one vintage I tasted with him each barrel of the 14 Pinot Noir clones that he grows, prior to blending (which he is a master at). I was able to talk with him if not on an even footing at least in the same ball park.
The reality is that most of the big name winemakers here are really just farmers with good noses. Very down to earth people.
I was in a very good restaurant with him about 12 months ago when he chose a 1980's bottle of one of his Rieslings to "See how it was traveling". I could tell the wine had held up well and that all the major components were balanced properly. But to get into the nuances of the different flavours I was completely lost.
I realise that drinking Mexican beer on a hot day is great fun and I enjoy this as well so dont get me wrong but wine has been a part of my everyday life here, I live in the middle of a wine region. This has been a huge sadness for me to deal with. Completely irrelevant to others I accept, but a big deal to me.
So George, when you say "Here's to a quick recovery and a lifetime of easy breathing/smelling/tasting!" I really do appreciate the sentiment.
<Bret thinking to himself> Geez thats quite a rant... do I post that or is it best to just hit the delete button?
* Freuds_Cat presses the button and goes looking for more drugs
