Wine, demystified: Experts say if you like it, that's enough

Scores of guests had a chance to taste their way through more than a dozen different wines at the Wente Wine Soiree, held Nov. 17 at the Mermaid Tavern & Grille in Hagåtña.

Wine expert Michael Parr, senior export director for Wente Family Estates in Livermore, Ca., flew in for the event -- his third trip to Guam. He shared the compelling story of five generations of Wente vintners, and re-introduced the crowd to their wines.

Some of the savvy drinkers went straight for the reserves: Murrieta's Well Meritage Red, and White; Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay and Wente Charles Wetmore Cabernet Sauvignon. While these were the highest-priced labels of the 14 available, the more affordable wines drew rave reviews as well.

Wente lovers on Guam have an advantage over stateside fans, says Parr, smiling wryly.

"It costs less to buy Wente wines on Guam than it does in California," he says. And while his labels would sit comfortably among $12-$16 bottles elsewhere, Parr says he likes that people can purchase Wente at gas stations and medium-sized grocery stores.

"Soirees like these have been a great way for us to showcase our Wente wines. People like them because it's less risky ... for $15, you can sip several different wines and know what you like before going to find it at a retail outlet," says Joey Salas, wine and spirits manager for Ambros Inc. He adds that Ambros has imported Wente for more than 30 years.

"Ambros likes to remind people that there's no big, fancy mystery to drinking wine. There's no must-dos for wine, even when it comes to food," says Salas. "If the chef used good ingredients and you've got a good wine, it will taste great. The bottom line is that if you like it, that's good enough."