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Iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld once said, “Personality begins where comparison ends.” While he undoubtedly helped people express their true personalities through fashion, one’s personality shines through many outlets.
We have all been at a party and overheard that one person shouting a drink order at the bartender. If you are like me, I oftentimes compare what a person drinks to their personality. Harder, more stronger alcoholic beverages can be somewhat unforgiving when deciding what to drink on a girl’s or guy’s night out on the town. While at times it appears easier for women to be a bit more adventurous when ordering their beverage of choice, you never want to be the guy who orders a “Cosmo”, “Apple-Tini” or “Lemon Drop,” or at least not in public. Conversely, the wine you drink is more forgiving but similar to hard alcohol, it too speaks to your personality.
Wine is very mysterious and elusive because there are so many varietals with each having its own personality. As a novice wine drinker years ago, I wondered how one could identify flavor compositions in wines. It was very daunting to decipher notes of fruits and spices. My go to wine at the time was a German Riesling because it was easy to drink and I thought it was a universal wine. Little did I know my taste in wines would evolve completely. Now when I order a wine, I allow my current mood (in addition to what I may be eating at that moment) to dictate what I drink.
Every individual has his or her preferred varietal that they prefer. Whether you want something light, heavy, peppery, spicy, citrusy or fruity, wines offer everything your heart desires. Don't we all deserve a wine that reflects our true personality or the ever-changing mood we may be feeling at the moment? Whatever your favorite is, here are a few types that can help you decipher your own “playful” personality.
Cabernet Sauvignon
One of the most widely recognized varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon is a black grape used to make red wine. It’s grown in every major wine producing country but first gained prominence in France, used in Bordeaux wines where it was often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc varietals. It later spread to the United States and is grown in several regions of the country. It’s flavor composition tends to be full-bodied, high in tannins and acidity. It also ages well and tends to feel dense and heavy on the tongue with aromas of bell pepper, black pepper, spice, eucalyptus, dark red fruits, preserves and damp earth. It’s the go to wine for the bold and rich.
Personality Comparison
You are a dark, smoldering, intense, deep thinker who appreciates the finer things in life. You tend to be cultured, affluent and refined and have a respect for things that get better with age, like art and wine. You might look down your nose at those who don’t take life as serious as you. You tend do find time to engage in light, meaningless banter to feel part of the crowd when you are not being assertive, demanding or overthinking your next venture in life. You are a rock to others who come to you for advice on life, professional and financial matters. Others may talk about you behind your back, but they know you mean well and they take your advice seriously because they know you won’t lead them astray.
Merlot
Merlot is a dark blue colored varietal and a perfect blending grape with other varietals. Known by some as Cabernet’s younger sibling, Merlot tends to be easy to drink and generally has fruity characteristics of strawberry, red berry, plum, cedar, tobacco, blackberry, black cherry, fruitcake and chocolate. Merlot is not as heavy on the tongue and is generally lighter in comparison to Cabernet without a lingering finish.
Personality Comparison
You tend to be empathetic and social. You don’t take yourself or life too seriously, but you are able to recognize when it’s time to be serious. You are friendly and non-judgmental and always someone sought after for engaging conversation. You are not stiff or predictable like your sibling Cabernet, but you are just as dependable and have a smoldering side balanced by sufficient playfulness. Below your exterior, you are low key jealous of your sibling, Cabernet due to his accomplishments and secretly want to be like him when you grow up.
Malbec
Purple in hue, Malbec grapes tend to resemble an inky dark color and heavy tannins. Although relatively new to the United States, Malbec varietals are one of six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wines and grown in France and South America. This grape has thick skin and requires a bit more sun and heat than its distant cousins Cabernet and Merlot. Malbec wines are typically rich, dark and juicy with characteristics of dark fruits such as black cherry, blueberry and plum, roasted beets, violet flowers and sage. Malbec ranges from delicate to rich on the tongue and have a spicy, jammy and acidic character that includes notes of baking spices, tobacco, leather and vanilla.
Personality Comparison
You are friendly, detail oriented and find yourself in deep thought at times. You enjoy good conversation and neo-soul music, as you are a bit soulful in your approach to life. You are sassy and spicy but have a good balance of seriousness and easy to get along with. You balance the energy between Cabernet and Merlot and they often seek you out to pick sides on which one is right after an argument ensues.
Syrah
Also known as Shiraz, this dark-skinned grape is the offspring of two grapes from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. Syrah is used as a single varietal or as a blend and can be found from France to Chile, South Africa, New Zealand, California and Washington. The flavor profile includes aromas of mint, eucalyptus, smoked meat, black pepper, liquorice, cloves, espresso, mocha, dark chocolate, leather, wet leaves and earth.
Personality Comparison
You are expressive, dependable, analytical and salt of the earth. You tend to be grounded and non-judgmental. You also tend to be diverse in your thinking and very welcoming of others around you. You’re not too funny and not too serious either, but have a good balance of both. Others enjoy your company and you tend to be well balanced. You always talk about Cabernet and Merlot at parties to make yourself seem more interesting.
Pinot Noir
Grown in cooler climates, this varietal is associated with the Burgundy region of France but has transcended to many countries in the world to include South Africa, United States, Australia and New Zealand. This grape is difficult to grow and is susceptible to viticultural hazards due to its tightly packed clusters. This wine tends to be lightly colored, medium bodied with low tannins. Its composition tends to have fruit aromas of cherries, raspberries, strawberries. It is lighter on the tongue and does not have a heavy or lingering finish.
Personality Comparison
You are graceful and fresh but can be fickle, selfish and demanding of attention. You can also be youthful and too playful at times, but you maintain a sweet personality. You tend to want to hang around and be like your older cousin Chardonnay, but she has told you it can never happen.
Chardonnay
This green-skinned varietal grape is used to produce white wines. This grape originated from the Burgundy region of France and its flavor profile produces lean, crisp with high acidic wines that tend to have aromas of oak, honey and tropical fruit flavors.
Personality Comparison
You attract people on both sides of the fence. You are a chameleon who can change facades as needed. You tend to be cool in high-pressure situations and lighthearted in the heat of adversity. You have a weathered personality and calm demeanor that shows experience. You often have to break up fights between your siblings Cabernet and Merlot. You end up sitting alone at family gatherings because people think you're too snooty.
Pinot Grigio
This is a white-wine grape that is a clone of the pinot noir grape. The grapes can have a grayish-blue or brownish pink appearance. Wines from this grape also vary in color from deep golden yellow to copper to pink. Its characteristics can be light to full-bodied with aromas of pear, apple, melon with crisp, refreshing tastes of arugula and pepper with light acidity.
Personality Comparison
You love to experience life through travel. You are in touch with your spiritual side but you can sometimes be naïve because you trust everyone and are a hopeless romantic. You are free-thinking, light-hearted and love to be in love. You get dubbed as the easy one of the family because you keep being taken advantage of in your personal relationships.
Riesling
This is a white-grape varietal that originated in the Rhine region of Germany. This is a very aromatic grape with high acidity. It’s used to make dry, semi-sweet sparkling wines. This wine tends to render perfumed aromas and high acidity that gives off notes of apple and other tree fruits and honey.
Personality Comparison
You are Pinot Grigio’s sweet first cousin. Although you are not as naïve, you are nice, trusting and genuine. You are the “Dear Abbey” of the clan and others seek you out for advice on life’s problems. You can sometimes get on people’s nerves because you are always up-beat and nothing ever seems to be wrong in your life. We all know that’s not really the case!
Rose
Rose wine incorporates some of the color from red grape skins but not enough to qualify as a red wine. The pink color ranges from pale onion-skin, orange to vivid near purple depending on the varietals used. Black skinned grapes are crushed and the skins are permitted to remain in contact with the juice for a short period.
Personality Comparison
You are bubbly and frilly to the core. You may be desirable to most men, but because you cannot relate to full red wines or full white wines, you tend to be confused about who you really are and where you’re going in life. You’re the life of the party but rarely will anyone take you seriously. But hey, they can always count on you for shots though!
Sauvignon Blanc
This is a green-skinned varietal that originated from the Bordeaux region and Loire Valley in France. Other than France, this grape is cultivated in Chile, Romania, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Washington State and California. The flavor composition lends itself to a crisp, elegant and fresh finish with green and herbaceous flavors. Depending on this ripeness, you can smell hints of bell pepper, basil, tarragon, lemongrass, lime, peach, jalapeno, gooseberry, vanilla, dill, nutmeg and grass.
Personality Comparison
You are always freshly dressed and intelligent to the core, somewhat opinionated and presentable at a moment’s notice. You’re the Type A personality and Cabernet’s equally sophisticated aunt whom he never lets forget you‘re not as sophisticated as he is. However, you do have a quick wit that can rival his when needed and you often put him in his place. On the other hand, you have a need to be seen as the cool, socialite aunt and you are somewhat of a control freak. Cabernet talks about you behind your back along with your other nieces and nephews.
The above is meant to be a lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek, humorous look at the personalities of wines and grape varietals. It’s important to note that each wine brings something valuable to your gathering and can ultimately provide a wonderful, loving experience among friends and family bonding together through wine drinking.
Remember to drink enthusiastically and responsibly!