Perhaps most important, says Rost, “The wine tasting phenomenon is all about experience. People used to feel intimidated by wine because they didn’t think they knew enough about it. This is changing, and now more people are willing to try different wines, to experiment and experience.”

Monthly discoveries
As Gelb puts it, “People here enjoy doing different things. And this is a fun thing.”

The Cedar Crest wine tasting group meets once a month before dinner in the Creative Arts Studio of the Village Square Clubhouse. In any given month, about 12 to 14 of the 17 members will typically attend.

“Generally I decide on the wines we’ll taste, although lately I’ve asked for input from the group,” says Gelb. “At our last meeting, they asked to try New York State wines. We focus on a particular region or country, or grape, or kind of wine.”

In the three and a half years they’ve been meeting, the group has tasted wines from all around the world. “We’ve gone from Amarone to Zinfandel,” he says. “Primarily reds, occasionally whites, champagnes—just about every kind of wine there is, until I discover something else.”

Generally at each tasting, there are four different bottles. Each person has about an ounce and a half of each wine, after which they share their personal impressions and ratings. Cheese, crackers, and cold cuts are also served.

Maturing Palates
Gelb says that most members started out in the group as novices. “A number of them are now knowledgeable ‘wineaus,’” he jokes as he gives the faux French spelling. But in the world of wine, there is always something new to discover.

During a recent tasting, the group tried different wines from Argentina. Among the participants was Leo Raven, who was born and raised in France. “I grew up with wine,” he says. “It was more a part of life than milk. But I never had occasion to drink Argentinean wines.

“I loved them.”