wine facts - The Michael Pour

What your wine choices reveal about your personality?

April

2026

Wine, with its multitude of aromas, flavors, and sensory experience, can be as diverse and fascinating as our personalities. Our wine preference could be like looking into a mirror reflecting back our personality traits.

From bold reds to refreshing and crisp whites, from the cheerfulness and playfulness of rosé to the effervescence of sparkling wines to the sweetness of dessert wines, let’s dive into the world of wine character and personality.

Is there scientific evidence connecting our wine preferences and personality traits?

While the discussion below is based on my years and years of observations in drinking environments and general trends, research does suggest a correlation between certain personality traits and preferences for specific styles of wine.

I’m also classically trained in identifying different personality types, like using the Myers-Briggs test from my past therapy work. However, it’s important to remember that individual experiences and preferences can vary across the board.

My descriptions below are the result of reviewing the research as well as carefully gathering information from previous work in therapy and wine, bar, and restaurant environments over the past 25 years.

As you journey through life and over time, your palate and wine preferences may change or evolve. Personal growth, new life experiences, and exposure to new wines can all contribute to your evolving and fluctuating tastes.

Exploring and tasting different wines and regions is the best way to reveal your wine preferences. You don’t have to be new to wine. Even experienced wine drinkers can have that ‘wow’ moment.

You may discover new favorites, which will provide insight into your unique tastes and personality in the process. Which wine matches your personality best? Or is it just taste and mouthfeel for you? Regardless, it gives you another perspective and fun way to look at wine. Look at these ‘personality notes’ replacing traditional tasting notes.

While shared interests, such as wine preferences, can foster connections and relationships, it’s unlikely that your wine preference alone will dictate your choice of friends or romantic partners. Personality, shared values, and other common interests play a far more significant role in these connections.

Wine and Personality

Pinot Noir

“The Heartbreak Grape”

Pure magic when done right. PN drinkers are mystical creatures. They are skeptical in questioning every wine label and life decision. The philosophers of the wine world. Deep, sensitive, emotional and analytical when solving problems. Focused, artistic, and abstract thinker.

Most things bore you, but when they catch your interest, you quickly develop logical explanations to why they work. You love theories and abstract ideas more than you like to socialize, more likely an introvert.

You are generally quiet and contained even if you are a bit critical to the people around you.

Traits can be subtle, but complex.

YOU ARE PINOT NOIR!

Show reference – Anya Taylor-Joy in “The Queen’s Gambit”

Cabernet Sauvignon

“King of the Reds”, “Tannin King”

Bold and takes charge at every dinner party. Most confident friend in your friend’s group. Strong, slightly dramatic, maybe judging, and gives unsolicited advice. Desires structure, balance, and power. Driven, independent, and hold high standards.

You quickly see the patterns that make the world turn and you have the ability to make big things happen. This kind of ‘big picture’ thinking is an obsession of yours. When you’re motivated, you can organize and carry out very complex jobs, visionary ideas.

Despite all these understandings, you don’t have a large group of close friends, because most people annoy you. You tend to be an introvert.

YOU ARE CABERNET SAUVIGNON!

Movie reference – Meryl Streep in “The Devil Wears Prada”

Sauvignon Blanc

“Party Starter”, “The Alarm Bell of the Cellar”

A breath of fresh air and splash of cold water. Talkative, brings the energy, and enjoys gossip.

You are outgoing, an extrovert, and possess a spirit of adventure. Your zest for life and love for new experiences mirror the crisp, refreshing notes of this white wine. Your vibrant personality draws people toward you, lighting up any room you enter.

YOU ARE CLASSICALLY SAUVIGNON BLANC! Watch out for emergence of Chenin Blanc, which is rapidly becoming the new trend.

Movie reference – Blake Lively in “Gossip Girl”

Merlot

“Smooth Operator”, “Hug in a Glass”, “The Diplomat Everyone Loves”.

Empathetic and helper at heart. Often misunderstood and underestimated, but approachable and comforting to be around. You exhibit the adaptability and versatility of this beloved grape. Your easy-going nature and sociability make you the life and soul of any gathering, an extrovert.

Much like the simple pleasures of Merlot, you appreciate the beauty of life’s simple moments.

You are the responsible one. You pay attention to other people’s needs, emotions and motives and you act as a catalyst to get things done. You’re social, almost a facilitator, in a group situation. You are a leader, but you do it by finding potential in the people around you.

YOU ARE MERLOT!

Movie reference – The animated character Joy in “Inside Out”

Rosé

“An Adventurer”

You embody romance, fun, and optimism. You like variety. With a youthful spirit, you love the outdoors, cherishing sun-kissed moments with loved ones. Your adaptability and openness to new experiences are as enticing as the blush of a rosé on a spring or summer day.

Rosé can represent the start of something new, growth, and a renewal in spirit.

YOU ARE A ROSE LOVER IN ANY FORM!

Movie reference – Reese Witherspoon in “Legally Blond”

Natural Wine

“The Rebel”

You prefer minimalism. A testament to your eco-conscious and adventurous spirit. You value authenticity and sustainability, much like the wine you choose. Likely a passionate supporter of environmental causes, even animal rights, and you feel a deep connection with nature.

You are full of life, alive, sometimes wild, and unpredictable with a touch of chaos.

YOU ARE NATURAL WINE!

Movie reference – Craig Foster in “The Octopus Teacher”

Champagne/Sparkling Wine

“Classic Romantic”, “Bubbly”

You are the personification of sophistication, elegance, and class. You love to celebrate life’s special moments and are unafraid to indulge in the luxuries of life.

Much like the effervescence of your favorite sparkling wine, your charismatic personality draws others in and makes you the star of any gathering.

YOU ARE BUBBLES!

Movie reference – Leo DiCaprio in “The Great Gatsby”

Dessert Wine, i.e. Port, Sauternes, Late Harvest Wine, Ice Wine, etc…

“The Sweetheart”, “Complex and Layered”

For Port, you are likely a traditionalist, appreciating the finer, often overlooked aspects of life. Your love for Port suggests a deep respect for history and tradition. As a great listener, you offer a comforting presence, a support for friends and family during challenging times.

For Sauternes (French dessert wine), you are likely to be imaginative, creative, and a lover of life’s decadent pleasures. Your interest for this dessert wine amplifies your love for artistic expression with your creativity pouring out in various ways.

YOU ARE DESSERT WINE!

Show reference – Jason Sudeikis in “Ted Lasso”

Some other fun wine and personalities –

Semillon – “The Wine That Keeps Secrets”

Zinfandel – “BIG Personality and Exuberant”. “Loud Talker”

Grenache/Garnacha – “Big Heart & No Filter”

Gewurztraimer – “Walks Into The Room First”

Riesling – “Versatility Queen”. “Don’t Call Me Simple”

Chardonnay – “Refined and Confident”

Syrah/Shiraz – “Conscientious & Visionary”

Which Wine Are You???

Would love your thoughts and feedback 🙂 If you love fun posts like this, give me a shout out.

Please follow me on Instagram on my personal and business pages (@themichaelpour), let’s connect, and have some fun. For wine recommendations for the varietals listed, please reach out. Free consultations and wine personality match always!

For collabs and to book an event, tasting, seminar, or anything else – email Michael at michael@michaelpour.com. Take a look at the pages on the site and see what I can do for you.

Cheers & Sante,

Michael XOXO

Seasonal Spotlight: 5 Must-Try Wines for the Fall

November

2024

by Michael Nagy

November and autumn season brings a different vibe to the world of wine, and certain wines belong on the table. The weather gets colder, the day gets shorter, and that chill in the air shouts comfort. Certainly, comfort can be felt through sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and comfort food, but what about wine. With campfires, apple picking, and the looming Thanksgiving holiday, there is a call for more complex, savory, and fuller bodied wines. It’s the season of homemade soups, stews, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, poached pears, and apple pies.

While we’re not quite ready for the heavy and tannic Cabernet Sauvignon or Barolo to carry us through winter, we need something more ‘chill’ and transitional to get us through shorter days and set the stage for winter. Some traditional fall favorites that are fantastic include Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Gamay Noir/Beaujolais. Try the Gamay Noir from Sheldrake Point Winery in the Finger Lakes. It is beautifully done!

Beaujolais Nouveau is a wonderful, light, and approachable red wine that is perfect as an introductory wine for non-red wine drinkers. It is made from the Gamay grape and originates from the Beaujolais region of France. It is celebrated worldwide and released every year at the end of November. Beaujolais is one of my favorite wines to sip all year long, especially on Thanksgiving, because it is very food-friendly with turkey dinner. I will discuss it further later this month.

Here are five under the radar lovely fall wines (two whites and three reds) that don’t get enough love in my opinion. They are not as obscure as you might think. If you would like to receive my recommendations, just give me a holler.

1. Chenin Blanc

Famous for its apple aromas and flavors, Chenin Blanc is a perfect match for autumn lovers. Just like apples can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes, this medium-bodied white wine is extremely versatile, and can be paired with a wide range of main courses. Try a glass of Chenin Blanc with a root vegetable salad, roasted chicken, or rich seafood. Look for it in the Loire Valley of France, South Africa (leading producer of Chenin Blanc worldwide), United States, California and some in Washington State.

2. Sémillon

A medium-bodied white wine from Bordeaux, France, which is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc, giving it a lush, mouth-filling, and zippiness for green and fall veggies. Some are produced in oak and aged in the barrel, which will give it notes of honey, almond, and a smooth texture. The grape has few tannins, medium acidity, medium body and some oily consistency. Depending on its origin, you will discover flavors of lemon, pear, or papaya. Look for it in the regions of Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, Napa and Sonoma Valley, California, South Africa, and Columbia Valley, Washington State.

3. Barbera

Although it doesn’t quite have the revered status of the Nebbiolo grape, Barbera is Northern Italy’s wine of the people and is never too far from the dinner table in the Piedmont region. In Piedmont, where Barbera is most expressed, Barolo and Barbaresco are the most recognizable names, but they are places as opposed to grape varieties. Both are produced from the Nebbiolo variety. Barbera, on the other hand, is the name of the grape variety itself.

Due to its pigmentation, Barbera can taste both rich and light-bodied, offering the berry and cherry notes in bigger wines, but goes down easily thanks to lively acidity. Oak-heavy styles have an extra touch of chocolate, vanilla and spice. Generally, it is going to be a lighter style of red (more approached) in context of other Italian reds. Look for it in California, US, and Argentina as well.

4. Primitivo/Zinfandel

This wine is jamming. Primitivo and Zinfandel are essentially the same grape. Primitivo in Italy and Zinfandel in the US and the rest of the world. The lighter, low-ABV styles of Primitivo have rose petal, sage, and black pepper flavors, The richer styles add a bit of smoke and jammy. Notes of cinnamon, raisin, chocolate, and tobacco make for an exquisite fall wine. Generally, Primitivo is medium to full-bodied, with medium to high tannins and low to medium acidity. It can carry a high-ABV in Italy compared to Zinfandel due to the warmer climate.

Zinfandel is a bold and fruit-forward wine that’s loved for its jammy fruit, smokiness, and exotic spice notes. It’s also made into a sweet rosé called White Zinfandel. Look for Zinfandel in regions of Lodi, Napa and Sonoma Valley, and Sierra Foothills, California, US, and Primitivo in Puglia, Italy.

5. Cabernet Franc

Cab Franc is the parent grape of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carménère. It can be lighter or bolder depending on where it’s grown. If you prefer non-fruit-forward red wine offerings, then Cabernet Franc is your wine. There are more pronounced notes of red and black fruits, like strawberries, raspberries, and plums, in warmer climate versions, but in cooler climates, you will encounter herbaceous, mint, green bell pepper notes, chili pepper, peppercorns, crushed gravel, and earthiness. It is an awesome Thanksgiving wine that pairs with everything on the table because of its savory notes.

It is the signature red grape of the Finger Lakes region of New York, where I call home, and one of my favorite wines to drink no matter the occasion. Look for it in the Loire Valley of France, Colchagua Valley of Chile, Tuscany region of Italy (fruitier style), Sierra Foothills of California, US, and throughout New York State. Try all vintages of Cabernet Franc from Nathan K Wine Cellars, Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, who does an oaked and unoaked version) and Damiani Wine Cellars in the heart of the Finger Lakes.

As mentioned earlier, please reach out if you want my recommendations for the wines listed above. It’s never too early to stock up on wine for the holidays or to enjoy now. Look for Thanksgiving wine pairings and Beaujolais Day post later this month.

Cheers,

Michael

michael@michaelpour.com

(717) 877-2729

What wines are we drinking right now?

October

2024

by Michael Nagy

Does the season of the year guide our wine preferences?

Short answer, yes, absolutely! Is it socially acceptable to drink your favorite or go-to wine even if it is technically a seasonal sip? Yes! My recommendation is always – drink what you like, first and foremost, then consider expanding your palate to accommodate what you are feeling at the moment or what foods will best accompany the wine.

In the spring and summer months, many wine drinkers tend to drink rosé and whites for their lightness, aromatics, crispness, floral components, and refreshing traits. In the northern hemisphere, the release and anticipation of the new vintage of rosé wine coinciding with the beginning of spring. In the fall/winter months, wine drinkers will transition to drinking more red wine, heavier whites, like oaked Chardonnay, and fuller bodied wines.

The seasonal nature and availability of produce and food also dictates our pallet and wine pairing choices. For this fall, try different oaked chardonnays from around the globe, orange wines (more on these later), and red wines, like Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sangiovese, Valpolicella, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. If you’re a fan of bubbly, you can drink it anytime.

What wine would you recommend for Fall?

Being a wine lover, I certainly have my preferences as I’m sure you do as well, but I like to explore new wines, styles, and regions. I will reach for that bottle of red most of the time, but if I’m having wine with food, I will definitely try to enhance the experience by choosing a wine that pairs well.

For fall, I like to drink Rhone varietals such as Grenache (red), Syrah (red), and Viognier (white, similar in style to Chardonnay), and most reds, although I prefer lighter to medium styles most of the time. You can find really good Rhone blends (called GSM blends with the ‘M” referring to Mourvèdre) or single varietals from the US, France, Barossa Valley in Australia and South America. More widely available than ever. Stylistically, all these Rhone varietals have vibrant fruit balanced with savory, spice, earthiness, herbal and vegetal flavors that pair very well with the flavors of fall, like cool climate vegetables that can be roasted, braised, or sauteed. Don’t be afraid to venture out and try different red wines, especially for your holiday events and gatherings. I think Cabernet Franc is a lovely turkey day wine with all the accompaniments and a very underrated wine overall. I like CF all year long.

Classic Reds

Classic reds are always in style and continue to be the season’s most popular wine choices. Not just because they are ‘red’ and are bolder and fuller than whites, but because the rich flavor profiles that can range from dark fruits to earthy undertones, robust reds provide the perfect accompaniment to the season’s hearty dishes like roasts, stews, and casseroles and holiday celebrations. These classics include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, or a red blend, like Bordeaux blend. If you opt for one of these, then try to find high quality ones (not necessarily the most expensive ones) in their category. Low quality vs. high quality fuller, red wines offer a very different experience.

Don’t forget about winter whites!

Just because the sun and warm temperatures have hibernated for the season doesn’t mean you have to ditch white wine altogether. There are plenty of full-bodied, cozy whites that will work just as well as heavier reds with your fall cuisine and to drink by themselves. As mentioned earlier, an oaky Chardonnay always has a place at any holiday table. I look to Burgundy, France, Washington State, US, or South Africa for my Chard and Chablis for lighter/hybrid styles. Some trendy whites, like Viognier and Chenin Blanc are on the rise. When choosing your white wine in cooler weather, look for flavor profiles and textures that are rich, chewy, nutty, or creamy. These types of wines are usually fermented and/or aged in oak barrels and undergo malolactic fermentation, which gives them those traits.

What other wines are trending right now?

Orange wines have been growing trend the past few years. Orange wines have been around for a long time, dating back over 8000 years when, without modern wine making technology, all wines were fermented on the skins of the grapes, which is what gives wine its color. They were left in a pot to stew and ferment and the skins turned them a dark amber shade. Wine making was modernized in the 60s and 70s and the skins were removed to produce the lighter, fresher, cleaner style of common crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio we know today.

They are considered a ‘white wine’ that has been fermented with the skins on. Orange wines undergo a similar wine making process as reds where they are in contact with the skins during fermentation, so they take on the intensity of the colors and tannins, giving them a richer, heavier body. Today, there is a demand for orange wines to be less macerated, lighter, and fruitier, but still have some color and tannin structure. You will have to search hard to find orange wines in the marketplace, but if you like fuller bodied white wine, give them a try.

What else is trending in the wine world?

There is definitely a conscious shift toward natural, organic, vegan, and biodynamic wine and what that means. People are conscious about sulfite content, agricultural practices, and the environment. The grape skins used for orange wines are usually thicker and more resistant to pests and disease, so they are not treated as much and the tannins help protect them from oxidation, so they don’t need as much manipulation, sulfur or other preservatives. If this info is important to you, look for it on the back or front label or do a search online for bottles that are environmentally conscious.

Rosé wine is becoming more popular year-round evidenced by the hashtags #roseallday #roseeveryday all over social media and the internet. Many wineries are now producing different Rosés every year and experimenting with different grape combinations for them.

The public is more open to canned wine options these days, which started out of convenience, but has since lead to wineries putting higher quality products into this accessible format because of its popularity.

Pét-Nat (short for Petillant Natural) is a sparkling wine that has really taken off in colder climates. Unlike traditional champagne, it finishes its fermentation in the bottle and is not disgorged. Many different white grape varieties are used for this style of wine and can be a white blend.

Stocking your cellar/wine rack for Fall

The first thing you should do, as with other seasons, is to stock wines that you love to drink. From there, add wines that your family and close friends like just in case they visit unexpectedly or you have a last minute dinner party. Don’t be afraid to stock obscure wines or wines that seem interesting to you. Have fun with it! Take a chance – you might find something you never heard of and like it. I’m often asked what my favorite wine is. To me, it’s a loaded question because I like a lot of different wines (even though I will pull a red most of the time) and really depends on the occasion, what you’re feeling, and season (which is what this post is all about). Since most of my audience and guests are probably not wine experts, I try to introduce the world of wine to them one glass at a time. It’s amazing the excitement derived from people when they discover a new wine or style.

Try to curate your fall cellar with as many different wines as you can. Start with the most well-known grapes and wines and go from there. Here is an example – Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Champagne/Sparkling Wine, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc/Sancerre, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Chardonnay (oaked), and Riesling (dry and semi-dry). If you would like to know what specific region or country of origin is best, just reach out. For the holiday season, chilling a nice dessert wine, like a Sauternes, ice wine, late harvest Riesling, or fortified wine, like Port, for dessert, is a nice touch and would impress your guests.

Some additional wines to stock up on for the season (reds) – Malbec, Syrah/Shiraz, Carmenere, Zinfandel, Grenache, Gamay/Beaujolais, Nebbiolo, Chianti, Lambrusco, Primitivo, Tempranillo/Rioja

We all look forward to holiday feasts and celebrations that come with the fall and winter months. Because no true celebration is complete without the perfect bottle or bottles of wine for you and your guests, I wanted to share these trends and options.

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