What does your preferred plonk say about you?

What's your favourite tipple? Rich, buttery chardonnay? Fruitilicious riesling? Or perhaps a bold shiraz that hits you over the head like a hammer is more your style?

I was intrigued to read yesterday about a new study which links the type of wine you prefer to specific personality traits. The study found that people who prefer sweet wines are more likely to be impulsive, while those who prefer dry wines are more open. Apparently the researchers believe that a preference for sweet things develops early in humans and could drive the development of impulsiveness.

In fact, most so-called "table wines", including best-sellers such as sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and pinot noir, are dry, having little or no residual sugar. At the sweeter end of the scale are some white wines such as riesling, chenin blanc and moscato, and of course "stickies" such as port, sauterne and botryitis dessert wines.

I don't mind the occasional glass of riesling on a hot summer's evening but overall, my wine preferences (sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, pinot noir) place me firmly in the dry camp. As for my personality, well yes, I would say I'm an open person, if by that they mean open to new ideas, experiences and people. I'm also not adverse to sharing ideas and experiences with others - I'd hardly be writing this blog if I was!



Image: Suto Norbett/Dreamstime.com