too old for grape juice

I am not a wine drinker. In fact, I think I actually hate every kind of wine I’ve ever tasted. Except of course, that one kind I had like 6 years ago that tasted like apple juice, but I never found out where my parents got it. Boo. I know what you’re thinking, because everyone always asks me: how the hell do you not like wine!? Well, the main reason, is because of the ‘can’t open my eyes headache’ I used to get when I drank it. I’m not talking about a hangover headache, I’m talking instantaneous, take a sip, cringe, and be in agony for an hour until it goes away headache. I actually questioned a doctor about this when it frustrated me in college, and was told that I may very well be allergic to it. That’s right, allergic to wine. BUT he also told me I could either grow out of it, or build a tolerance to it, if it was really that important to me to have it, though this was obviously not his recommendation. Luckily, I’m pretty sure I have grown out of it, as the last couple times I’ve tried it I haven’t experienced the awfulness, but I’m still leery about diving in. This then leads into the other reason I’m not a wine drinker. Honestly, I just don’t enjoy the taste of the brands I’ve tried. I tend to squint and make a blegh face when I swallow it.

So what’s my point? My point is that I WANT TO BE A WINE DRINKER!

I’m intrigued by the idea of being a wine drinker. I love the thought of easing my stress at the end of a long day at work with a nice glass of red wine and the puppy at my feet. Or the romanticism that wine adds to your otherwise normal everyday dinner. I especially want the ability to partake in a toast with a wine glass in my hand, rather than a plastic cup of beer!

I’ve been considering all of this since Valentine’s Day, when Justin made me dinner, lit candles, and then opened a bottle of wine, only to have me force it down, which kind of defeats the whole purpose of that sort of evening. I also started thinking a lot more about it when I started reading blogs. A lot of the girls I follow talk about having a glass of wine with their friends or family, and it just sounds so pleasant to me. I especially love reading my cousin Shannon’s series Cheap Wine with Pretty Labels, and really, really want to take advantage of her reviews! I refuse to believe that with so many varieties and styles of wine in the world, that there isn’t a single one I like.

So I’m officially on a mission to find wine that I enjoy. I’m hoping this will open me up to a whole assortment of wines to choose from based on my mood, the occasion, whatever else makes you choose what kind of wine you feel like drinking at that moment. Justin’s sister is helping me out and we are going to host a wine party soon, where everyone will bring a kind and we’ll all try everything! I like this idea, but I will definitely have to take notes to remember which ones I liked and didn’t like. This will certainly broaden my horizons, but I still think for this to work, I need lots of help!!

I’m asking if anyone who happens to read this would be so kind as to suggest a wine for me to try. It can be your favorite, but doesn’t have to be. There are absolutely no rules, as I am starting completely from scratch here. Just throw something out there that you think I should attempt, and then I’ll let you know what I thought!! I’ve been advised to start on the fruity end of the line, and I received a bottle of Peach Arbor Mist at a wedding reception, so I’ll probably try that this weekend. Otherwise, my options are endless, and I’m anxious to hear your selections!!

Thank you in advance for helping me feel way more “sophisticated” and way less “hand me the kind that tastes like grape juice”!

<3