Definition of Pretentious: Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.
Picture this: You’re at a house party or a backyard BBQ having a lovely time when you spot that person who you know you’re going to have to talk to at some point in the evening. You clench your beer can tighter and shudder a little preparing for what you’ll say.
There’s only one person who is more annoying in a social situation than your ex-girlfriend, that awkward one-night stand and your disgruntled ex-roommate combined – a wine snob, that breed of person who overly articulates everything while they tell you at great length about all the Trockenbeerenauslese they drank in Pfalz… which is really just a fancy way for saying “I drank too much sweet Riesling in Germany and woke up on a train station bench.”
Watching them swirl and sniff their glass with that smug look on their face is such a buzzkill, especially when it’s followed with a comment like, “The nose on this Cab is just immaculate. I’m getting notes of organic dirt, robin’s egg frittata and the eucalyptus under a koala bear’s claws.”
Now, when faced with this situation, there are a few reasonable things you can do:
– Be the bigger person and walk away. Obviously the most mature option but probably the least rewarding.
– In response to their tasting note you can swirl your can of beer and rave about the tannins.
If you happen to be drinking the same thing as your social nemesis, then simply counter with your own tasting note of complete and utter nonsense. “Actually, I think this wine smells like old ashtrays, cheap lipstick and Starburst jellies.”
Or…
You can go to Vine Styles, the cool and quirky new wine shop whose mission is to bring back the simple pleasure of drinking wine. This Kensington store is divided by style rather than country in an attempt to make the customer’s life easier and the shopping experience more fun. Feel like something fresh and light? No problem, head to the Crisp section. In the mood for something red and hedonistic? Just look in the Bold section. The motto here is “Wine Done Different,” and this place is all about you and helping you find wines that fits perfectly for your own unique palate.
Beyond the relaxed atmosphere, Vine Styles features a full wall of craft beers and a small but impressive selection of spirits that you won’t see on too many shelves. In the weeks to come, the shop will also feature unconventional and interactive events like the open mic mixology competition that will involve a stand-up comedian, a couple of talented bartenders and lots of booze.
Whatever your reason for visiting, you’ll find this place is definitely something out of the ordinary and 100 per cent free of wine snobbery.
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
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