One of the first bits of wisdom I learned about wine was … slowly savor it.

My initial reaction to that wisdom was “Nonsense!” Why take my time when the liquid can be quaffed down like a glass of water? What’s in the tasting that’s so important?

Now, looking back on those questions, I more fully understand that there is no wisdom that comes when ignorance is considered bliss. After all, many of us have spent years getting educated, right? Did we savor those learning experiences or did we just get through them?

Once again, it would have been wise for me to slowly savor those edifying moments. I’ll blame most of my non-savoring school moments on my youthful years — not my mind!

So when I finally began to dig into my growing interest in wine, there was knowledge gained that melded with the experiences of maturing. During that exploration of vinology, I figuratively traveled to many countries. There was a growing awareness that even though people lived in varying locales, they believed in the same goodness of life (wine), and their beliefs and passions were similar.

Also, wine was paired with similar events around the world. For instance…

A sparkling wine is usually a liquid brought forth during celebrations. We just passed by New Year’s Eve. A bubbly Champagne, Prosecco or Spumante will many times be raised in glasses to celebrate this passing of time. At a wedding party, bubbly will be present no matter if you live in France, Italy, Spain or the USA. The bubbly wine always brings smiles to people’s faces and helps create a festive atmosphere.

A good full bodied luscious red wine helps us in many ways. It pairs with so many types of foods from red meats to pasta. When in Italy, one must have a plate of pasta with an accompanying glass of Chianti. A good red will give you comfort and many delicious flavors. Ease into the taste of a deep California Cabernet Sauvignon. Having a pleasant Pinot Noir works well with many social occasions, and a medium merlot is always welcome and will spark many good memories. Again, slow and easy does it.

If a white wine is your favorite, you know a soft New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc will go with a quiet outdoor relaxation time. Listen to the wind blowing through the trees and sip it slowly. Take a walk with a glass of pinot grigio, and savor the outdoors and the wine. As you relax after a long day of work, slowly sip a bit of Riesling or a soft chardonnay.

As you know, there are times when our changing of the seasons seems to blend together. Why not match the overlapping of seasons with a fine blended red wine? In the wine, you will find the warmth of summer and a bit of the coolness of the coming autumn. A blended wine always urges me to remember how blended all of us are. Like many wines, our family histories have many roots — slowly study those roots. In them, you’ll learn more about yourself.

Finally, doesn’t a rosé always look beautiful? It’s kind of like the first blooming flowers of spring time. The crispness of the wine asks us to relish the cool of spring, and the color and sweetness points us to the warmth of summer.

If you want to spice up a moment, bring on a spicy Zinfandel or a Petite Syrah. The wine will ask you to remember that there are spicy and delicious times in your life.

Perhaps it can be said that wine knowledge led me to a more fulfilling life because it brought so many differing people and places into my little corner of the world. What did I learn from the journey into the world of wine?

Savor life and wine slowly. Enjoy and embrace the beauty in both elements.