In this line of work, we spend a little too much time tasting, comparing, swirling and analyzing wines to remember something very basic. When I taste nice wines all day, and world class wines pretty frequently, sometimes I forget their real purpose—enjoyment.

I don't think we have let the process become sterile or clinical, but every once in a while, sometimes when I just don't expect it, I find myself actually enjoying a wine that I would probably not have given a second thought to at one of our marathon tastings!

I was at Disney last weekend with my family, and we had lunch at the French Pavillon in Epcot. We ordered 3-4 different plates, including a cheese assortment. I ordered a glass of their Pinot Noir. It was Pays d'Oc and I did not have any expectations. I was trying hard to not have any expectations, not because of the wine’s origin, but because I wanted to turn that whole thing off. And to my surprise, the wine was lovely! Just right for a hot day—for the simple lunch we had—and nothing more. A simple wine for sure, but wine for wine’s sake, it tasted good.

That is why we drink wine, I suppose, for enjoyment…and you can find simple pleasure in most any wine, if the circumstances allow. And you can relax and savor it instead of thinking too much!

Shayne Hebert, Central Florida Wine Supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwineshayne