An Influencer Spotlight from Sarah of Grapepairings
We were interested to learn more about the minds and passions behind some of our favorite wine accounts. The following are a few pieces of insight gathered from wine influencer, Sarah, of Grapepairings
Read below to find out what we asked her!
1) What gets you most excited about wine?
Gosh, what doesn’t get me excited about wine?! I love it all! But in all seriousness, the one thing I get most excited about wine is the learning. It’s impossible to know everything about wine. No matter what, there is always a region to explore, a new grape variety to try, or stories to share. I learn something new about wine every day which makes every wine an adventure.
2) Do you consider yourself an Enthusiast? Connoisseur? Recreational? Other?
I think that depends on the day and time. I am a wine distributor by day, and my job is to sell wine. While I love my job, I have to be on my A-game and professional at all times, whether I’m excited about the wine or not. During this time, I consider myself to be a wine professional. However, when I am home, pairing wines with dinner, engaging on Instagram, or tasting in a class, I’m more of a wine enthusiast. This is when I am most passionate about wine and can geek out with other people who share the same passion.
3) What do you look for when selecting new bottles to try?
There are 3 things that I consider when buying wine: purpose, region, and price. Am I pairing this with food? Am I buying it because one of my wine friends recommended it? Do I want to try something new? Then, I look to the region. I like to try wine from all over, so I’ll look to find a region that I haven’t explored or haven’t tried in a while. Lastly, I look at the price. Sometimes, I want something cheap. Other times, it’s payday and I want to go big!
4) Are you loving any particular varietals lately?
I’ve been all about the bubbles lately. I know…that’s not a varietal. 2020 has been a year, and it’s impossible to be depressed or anxious when you are drinking bubbles!
5) What experience cannot be fully enjoyed without the right bottle of wine?
Food! My instagram focuses on wine and food pairings. Sure, a meal could taste good on its own and a wine could taste good on its own, but when you have the right pairing, it’s a game changer!
6.) When do you serve Malbec and why?
When I think of single varietal Malbecs, I generally think of Argentina. Yes, it originates from France, but the popularity of Argentinan Malbecs is on the rise and they are easier to find. Argentinian Malbecs have a lot of juicy blackberry and plum notes, medium tannins, and lower acidity. Because of all of these characteristics, you don’t need a lot of fat to cut the tannin or acidity, making it great with leaner cuts of red meat and poultry. It’s juicy fruit notes are a nice contrast to savory foods as well. So, whenever I want to make a turkey burger or flank steak or a mushroom and sage risotto, a Malbec would be my choice.
