How does that money taste, buddy?

If you want to know more about something, you learn through a book or a class. If you want to know the best one, you ask yourself. Because no one should have to tell you what to think. But not a lot of people can think for themselves, and I can tell because critics are still making plenty of money.
One thing I've noticed about novice tasters is that they blend facts with opinions. When you're starting out and learning everything, you need to see how people take in flavors and scents in order to do it for yourself. But you need to learn to draw the line when it comes to people telling you what tastes "good" and what tastes "bad". Everybody's pH level is a little different, taste buds are different and preferences vary wider than the big blue.
Sure, learn what's what but learn to form your own opinion about things- and definitely remember that you can take it or leave it when it comes to someone's "all-knowing" statements which are merely opinions displayed as "facts".
One thing I accidentally took as a "fact" (which a lot of people assume) is that the higher the cost, the better tasting the wine. And let me tell ya, once again, it varies. I have tasted stiff $50 bottles of wine that paled in comparison to a cozy $6 bottle that coddled my tasting needs and tucked me into bed. One thing I will not have is a closed mind. I've tasted an Old Vine Zin for $65 and wouldn't taste anything else for the evening because I enjoyed the aftertaste too much. On the other hand I've had a good bottle of two buck chuck Beaujoulais that stood on its own.
The one thing I can't agree with is when I'm drinking an average, flat and residue-filled bottle of Cabernet and the pourer is absolute in his opinion that anything below this bottle's price is "crap". I can't stress it enough: when you're shopping, don't base your purchase on the price. Why do that? If its more expensive, will it taste like money? Does that money taste good? Probably smells like old wallet and sleezy cocaine deals. I'd like to hear someone say that when they stick their nose in a glass. That'll raise some eyebrows.
Here is my best argument: Van Gogh, in our time, is world-renowned, estatic in his use of colors, strokes and evokes more emotion in his landscapes than Modigliani in any of his billions of portraits. (well, duh) His paintings are currently selling in the hundreds of thousands for his less popular and his most popular are in the millions. He sells at Christie's, Sothebye's and Bonhams, not to mention ALL the others. He sells bank, obviously people have heard he's good and the word spread fast. During his dark and twisted, insane struggle he called life, he sold one painting. He consumed his paint in the fields while painting, since he didn't have an oil/rinse pot, went slowly insane, stayed at the asylum where he painted starry night, moved to a yellow house commune with other artists and quickly faded into history. Perhaps that should represent the ultimate artist's struggle? I'm straying. My point? The same paintings that didn't sell way back in the 1800's are the same EXACT paintings now that are worth more than Michael Jackson's nose. Obviously death is a factor but another big one is opinion; one person say's he's a derilict artist who wont ever produce a quality piece and so everybody agrees (because they don't know how to have their own opinion) and his stuff doesn't sell. Bunch 'o sheep!
Pinot Noir was never disliked the same way, per say, but when the film, Sideways came out and placed Pinot Noir high up on a pedastle (now similar to Van Gogh's art) suddenly that market increased by 300%, and you betcha, merlot bit it big time.
I'm tired and straying but I feel glad that my boyfriend discovered tonight which wine he calls his "favorite"- and we proudly noticed not I, nor anyone, told him to like it.

Chateau St. Jean 2006 Cabernet Sauvigon
... and I think it's pretty yummy too. Go find your own wine!