Catie, the self-described “Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman,” really knows her wine, and I’m a regular reader of her blog, Through The Walla Walla Grapevine. A few weeks ago, one of her posts caught my attention, and I finally have time to write about it. 

Back on Aug. 1, Catie’s blog post focused on the favorite Washington state wines of Gary Vaynerchuk in Episode 177 of Wine Library TV. Catie noted that Gary’s trademark, “Changing the Wine World,” has been featured in TIME Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and on Conin O’Brien’s NBC Late Night Show.

Today on Episode 307, Gary focused on our state’s wine again, including one of my favorites, 2004 Pepper Bridge Merlot. But what really caught my attention was this statement by Gary, which underlines how he is indeed changing the world of wine: “Get everyone to know wine is about personal taste and not what a critic says …”

I couldn’t agree more. I prefer red blends or big Cabs. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t good whites or roses. Some people prefers whites and even dessert wines, which I cannot fathom. But the bottom line is there is no right or wrong when it comes to taste.

Some people have a good nose and a refined palate and therefore can distinguish the multi-layered combination of aromas or flavors of a wine. (Sometimes I can. Other times I can’t.) Others are baffled by tasting notes and wonder how wine can taste flinty or earthy. Other people can’t distinguish bouquets or aromas, but they know what they like. As Gary so wisely said: Wine is about personal taste and not what a critic says.

So what are your favorites?

Cheers!