My Urban Sherpa

Exploration

“I’ll have a glass of Cab”
“I’ll have a glass of Chardonnay”

Don’t take the easy way out, who knows you might be nicely rewarded with self-discovery and actually smile!

My former college roommate who lives in Chicago was in town a few weeks ago and we were able catch up and talk over dinner one night. It was important that I saw him and spend time with him as he is one of the smartest people I know. He’s extremely inquisitive, a wonderful listener and amazingly observant, and he always has a way of asking thought provoking questions. Over dinner we discussed many things, from the story behind The Traveling Wilbury’s to his recent trip to Tokyo, studying Japanese design, to my experience-working crush on Howell Mountain this fall, we caught up on the last two years of our lives. When our professional careers came up in conversation he asked me rather bluntly why I was a wine director, asking, “What is the best part of your job?” “Why do you do what you do?”
It was the second question that really moved me, “Why do you do what you do?” Wow, what a strong thought, what an insightful thought… it really hit deep. I didn’t hesitate though, I responded from the heart as I often do, explaining, “I do this to open people’s minds to new experiences, letting them explore themselves and take chances… letting people smile.”
There is so much wonderful wine in this world and in this city that in order to really appreciate it you must explore and try something new. At the upper reaches of the culinary world, wine directors and restaurateurs take the time to build a beverage program in which exploration and self-discovery are healthy byproducts of their hard work. It is what makes this world go around, exploration. It is what sent Christopher Columbus, Jacques Cartier and Henry Hudson on their way… it is the ability to take a risk and try to discover something new.
Now you might be saying this guy is crazy, how is he going to try to relate the discovery of the Americas with trying a glass of wine that I have never had before? Well, you might be right, I might be crazy, but I believe that one’s ability to step out of their comfort zone is what makes them a pioneer each and everyday, the ability to try something new to expand their horizons. Next time you are out at a nice restaurant, don’t be afraid to explore, don’t take the easy way out… Try something new, who knows you might be nicely rewarded with self-discovery and actually smile!

Stephen Paul Mancini
Wine & Spirits Director
Union Square Cafe

Stephen Paul Mancini offers observations, advice, and information to guests of Union Square Cafe and readers of My Urban Sherpa.