John Vego Knows What Wine You Like

John Vego is a wine “beast.”  According to my teenage son, Miles, “beast” is the highest compliment one can pay another man.

Miles Mason and John Vego at Busters in Memphis, Tennessee

Sharon and I first met John many years ago at a small wine tasting and fell in love.  Over the last 10 years, he has been our primary source of wine referrals.

Yes, you could read magazines about wine.  Yes, you could join a wine club.  Yes, you could read books about wine.  Yes, you could go to Napa, drive around and taste whatever wines you can.  We’ve done all that and more.  At the end of the day, it’s just easier to go by Buster’s and ask the unpretentious John Vego .  I promise.

Sharon and I love Napa Cabernets.  Bold.  Flavorful.  But, what about budget?  John knows we appreciate quality, but we don’t want to break the bank with $100 bottles.  If something really special is on sale, he’ll hook us up.  Over the last 10 years, we have learned to trust him.  We no longer even look at what he puts in our cart.  We just buy it.

He’s also one of my secrets on gift giving.  If I am buying for a serious wine drinker, I always get a very knowing smile from the recipient.  If I am buying for a novice, I always get a thank you later with something like, “That was yummy.”

What’s your goal?  Are you a beginner?  He is patient.  Are you a collector?  He probably knows the wine maker for the obscure winery from which you are considering buying a special bottle (and he won’t rub it in your face).  You want a case of quality bottles under $25 for random Tuesdays?  No problem.  You want to try something new that might blow your socks off?  Tell him what you love now and let John do his thing.  He is in his wheelhouse now.  Try what he says.  Don’t argue.

John Vego teaches sommeliers.  He’s got 30 years in the business.  He leads some of the best wine tastings in the Mid-South.  In a blind-tasting competition of a room full of wine professionals, he was the only contestant to guess the undisclosed wine 15 out of 15 bottles.  After 30 years in the business, he knows everything you need to know.  But most importantly, he still has the passion to speak to us novices with a zeal many others may reserve only for the experts. Go by Buster’s on Highland.  Ask for John Vego.