Wine: Serious and Unserious Stuff

 I'm guessing my view on wine is of little interest. But some introductions are necessary, so here it is. I see wine in two ways.  

First, I see wine as a very serious thing! It has been the economic and social lifeblood of so many hard-working families for countless generations.  

It is as embedded in the culture of much of Europe and it is something I've devoted countless hours and attention to. I can hardly express my respect and admiration for the work it takes from grape to glass. 

Second, I see wine as a very unserious thing! There's enough seriousness in our lives and wine is an escape from all that! It shouldn't be a source of stress and shouldn't be stripped of its unserious pleasure by snobbish customs, rules and language that make sweaty-palmed newbies afraid to open their mouths around wine geeks. 

To me, these are consistent statements.  My wine point of view is the source of my passion for wine and my enjoyment of it.  I drink great wines and simple wines and enjoy the hell out of both.  
Both remind me of the seriousness and unseriousness of wine and help me maintain perspective on wine.  My wine life wouldn't be nearly as fun if I saw wine as all one way or all the other.

It is always my hope that even when I wax serious on wine, I do so with the humility and genuine sincerity of someone who really enjoys talking and drinking all types of wines with all types of people.