Excellent points. A different experience in general and a lot more posturing, judging and grandstanding. In my early 30s, I did start to get into wine because my soon-to-be wife (a light drinker) enjoyed whites, so that’s what I focused on (domestic producers). Got the Wine Spectator subscription and would soak up whatever knowledge I could from the wine store folks. We took three vacations to wine-producing regions and had a blast. Within 5 years, and with more than 400 bottles in the basement (started adding some reds), I came to my senses and realized wine is a rich man’s hobby. We buy probably one bottle per month now ($15-$20 bottle).
Not being a wine guy, and just knowing what I know, there is no reason to have a cellar of more than 400 bottles of white wine. Most wines are like beer, they are released when ready to drink. Outside of a few sweet whites, I don't know that many whites are expected to be good after a couple of years. Most, much like most beers, are meant to be drunk from release to the next release.
Seltzers, meads, ciders, and THC drinks may last in some form, just like the wine coolers that were predicted to kill beer in the 1980's, and didn't. Now when you Google "wine coolers", it shows you wine fridges. There will always be dalliances and distractions, but they won't 'kill beer'.
At Saint Arnold's taproom in Houston you can get a flight of their beers, or a flight of their house made ciders. A brewery I respect responding to customer demand.
Of course not. That’s why I noted, right after that, that I had added reds into the collection. Still, it was a challenge to clear out the whites before age took its toll. A “challenge,” but not insurmountable—when I/we opened a bottle back then, the bottle was entirely consumed, and maybe a second, depending on the day of the week. Another good reason to exit the wine hobby.
What I am seeing more of are those flavored cocktails and high ABV teas. Ciders and seltzers still take up a lot of shelf space in my area and I see people at the checkout with them all the time. My observation is that most of those customers are about 25-40 years old and generally, that is the target age many businesses tend to cater to because they spend and buy more. I see fewer and fewer craft beers other than hazy IPAs in the places I shop. Even some of my old stand bys have thinner craft beer choices or are adding wine. One of my longtime favorites from the 2010's where I could find just about anything now focuses on its recently added food lounge. I never go there anymore.
Seltzer gets a lot of shelf space on the beer aisle but it's about to be summer and they'll start pallet dropping the white claws lol.
I'll do an occasional cider but my fridge has no room for THC, Seltzers or NA. Nothing against them, just not what I'm interested in.
Oddly enough there is a brewery within walking distance of where I work who is well known for seltzers called March First. The beer is just so so but they have a steady stream of people enjoying brightly colored sugar messes. Seltzers make me think of (no offense) girl drink drunks with a LOT of artificial yuck. Beefed up Zima. Ciders on the other hand are a nice change of pace...especially an oak aged variant I tried at Seek No Further was exceptional. Replacing beer.....maybe for a short time, but all in all it is a fad I think like Bartles and James.....loved the commercials back in the day! Cheers
