The other day, I was talking with my friend Charlie about when our next panel tasting would be. "I enjoyed the last tasting," he said. "I think the esteemed panel should reconvene, and taste some reds." 

I hastily agreed, and set out to plan the next panel tasting. Originally, I had thought that it would be a good idea to celebrate Cabernet Day with a panel tasting focusing on Cabernet. However, with Cabernet Day taking place on August 30th, right before the Labor Day holiday, interest for a tasting was not at a peak, so I elected to postpone the panel tasting until after Labor Day, and celebrate Cabernet Day with a quiz on Cabernet. 

However, Charlie was still keen on the idea of doing a tasting. "We could do a small tasting on Wednesday night," I suggested.

Our small selection of Barbera

"Sounds good to me," Charlie replied.

When I texted Charlie on Wednesday to ask what he wanted to taste that night, he wasn't tremendously specific. "Dry, light-bodied reds," was his response.

Thinking that I'd certainly had more vague and nebulous requests for wine recommendations, I asked Charlie if he thought Nebbiolo, Gamay, Pinot Noir, or Barbera sounded like grapes he'd want to explore.

"They all sound good," he offered. "Let's do all of them."

When I told him I wanted to focus on just one grape for the tasting, Charlie became decisive. "Barbera?" he proposed. "I have no idea what it is actually."