Wine Is for the People You Included

Let’s be real for a second.

Somewhere along the way, wine got... fancy.
Like, too fancy.
Suddenly, it wasn’t just a drink, it was a performance. You had to swirl, sniff, talk about “tannins” and “minerality” like you were reciting Shakespeare.
And if you didn’t? Well, someone at the table would definitely make you feel it.

But here’s the truth that the wine world sometimes forgets:
Wine started with the people. For the people.
And it still belongs to the people.

Before It Was Bougie, It Was Basic (In the Best Way)

Wine wasn’t born in a luxury hotel or at a Michelin-starred tasting menu.
It was born in dirt. In sun. In sweat.
Farmers crushed grapes with their feet, stored it in clay pots, and passed it around like a shared secret.

There were no flavor wheels. No master classes.
Just vibes. And community. And flavor.

You Don’t Need Permission to Drink Wine

Let me say this loud and clear:
You do not need to be “into wine” to love wine.

You don’t need a certification.
You don’t need to say “I’m getting notes of dried fig and tobacco leaf.”
You can say, “This tastes like something my aunt would bring to a cookout.”
Boom. That’s tasting wine. That’s connecting. That’s legit.

The Problem With Wine Snobs

Look, I get it. I’m a sommelier. I study wine. I love learning every little thing about it.

But the second we make someone feel small for not knowing a grape,
we lose the heart of it all.

Wine is not a secret club. It’s a giant party and everyone’s invited.
Especially you.

Drink It How You Like It

Red wine with ice? Go for it.
Sauvignon Blanc out of a Solo cup? Iconic.
Pairing a $12 rosé with a slice of greasy pizza? Chef’s kiss.

You don’t have to impress anyone.
Wine should meet you where you are, not the other way around.

My Mission as a Sommelier? Bring It Back to the People

Every time I teach a tasting, pour a glass, or talk about wine, I’m thinking about how to make it accessible, relatable, and fun.

I don’t want to stand in front of you with a suit and a PowerPoint.
I want to sit next to you with a glass and a story.

Because wine isn’t just about grapes and regions.
It’s about moments.
It’s about how you feel when you sip it.

And you, my friend, deserve to feel like wine was made for you, because it was.

So the next time you pour a glass, raise it for yourself.
For your people.
For your stories.
Because wine is for the people and that includes you.

Cheers,
Angel Ramon Crespo