A week into an unofficial quarantine, we did what many wine lovers eventually do when time stretches and patience thins. We opened a bottle we had sworn to leave alone.
It was our Manzanos 2008, pulled from the rack a good five years earlier than planned. A happy accident, as it turned out. And also the perfect reminder that knowing how to talk like a sommelier is not about sounding clever, but about understanding what is actually in the glass.
That is exactly where Julien Miquel steps in.
In this week’s Bonner Private Wines video, Julien walks us through the language of wine, the words you hear whispered in tasting rooms and scribbled on restaurant lists. Cuvée. Cru. Meritage. Words that can feel intimidating until someone takes the time to explain them properly.
Why Wine Language Matters More Than You Think
When we poured the Manzanos, expectations were high. Someone at the table asked why the texture felt lighter than expected, why there was more freshness than plum. Julien’s explanation was simple and precise.
There is no Malbec in this wine. It is Rioja.
Malbecs, like Barolos and Brunellos, tend to develop plush textures and ripe plum notes as they age. Rioja Gran Reservas are built differently. They are designed to sleep for years in cool, dark cellars, emerging with elegance, lift, and surprising delicacy even after a decade.
Without the right vocabulary, moments like this can feel confusing. With it, they become illuminating. This is why learning to talk like a sommelier matters. Not to impress, but to understand.
Cuvée, Cru, and Meritage Explained Simply
Julien has a gift for taking intimidating concepts and grounding them in reality.
A cuvée is not a marketing flourish. It simply refers to a specific blend or batch of wine, often selected for a particular purpose or style. Sometimes it is the best juice in the cellar. Sometimes it is a creative decision by the winemaker.
A cru speaks to place. In regions like Burgundy or Beaujolais, it signals vineyards or villages with a recognized history of quality. It is not a guarantee of taste, but it is a clue.
And meritage is not a French word at all. It is an American solution. A way for New World winemakers, especially in places like California, to signal a Bordeaux-style blend without using European appellation names.
Julien reminds us that these words are tools, not barriers. When you know what they mean, wine labels stop being cryptic and start telling stories.
When Vocabulary Changes the Way Wine Tastes
The most striking part of Julien’s lesson is how language alters perception.
Once you understand structure, tannin, acidity, and blend, you stop chasing flavors and start reading balance. You understand why a wine feels fresh instead of thin, or restrained instead of weak.
This is exactly what happened with the Manzanos 2008. What first felt like a mismatch of expectations became a lesson in regional style and aging philosophy. Waiting another five years might not have improved it at all.
Wine does not exist in isolation. It lives at the intersection of place, time, and intention. Julien gives us the vocabulary to meet it there.
Talking Like a Sommelier Without Becoming One
Julien is the first to admit that wine language can drift into nonsense if it loses touch with reality. The goal is not to memorize terms, but to communicate experience.
That becomes especially important when sharing wine with others, whether around a table or through a screen.
As Bonner Private Wines continues to explore virtual tastings and shared experiences, having a common language makes those moments richer. It allows everyone to participate, not just the loudest voice on the call.
Talking like a sommelier is really about listening, observing, and describing honestly. Julien shows that fluency comes from curiosity, not credentials.
Why This Lesson Matters Right Now
Wine has always been about connection. Between regions. Between people. Between past and present.
At a time when many of us are tasting alone or through a screen, understanding the language of wine helps bridge the gap. It gives structure to conversation and meaning to shared moments, even at a distance.
Julien’s lesson is not about becoming an expert. It is about becoming more present with the wine in front of you.
And sometimes, about opening the bottle sooner than planned.
Explore More
Discover wines that reward curiosity and conversation in our full shop selection.
To explore more stories and discover the world’s most remarkable wines, visit our Bonner Private Wines YouTube channel.
Keyword list
talk like a sommelier, wine vocabulary, cuvée meaning, cru wine, meritage wine, wine tasting language, Bonner Private Wines, Julien Miquel, wine education, understanding wine labels
