Don't Wait

A little over 20 years ago, I discovered that I really like red wine, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon. For months I tried every winery and blend that I could get my hands on.

I found one that was spectacular, Navarro Correas. I loved the 1995 vintage. The years before and after were good, but the ‘95 really nailed it. It was the perfect blend of flavors and acidity for my palate.

Naturally, I did what any fan of a wine would do: I drank some and stowed some away for “later.” Over the course of the next 20ish years, I took the bottles out several times and almost opened them for one occasion or another. Inevitably, I always decided to wait for “just that special time.” After all, these were the last bottles I had, and could probably even get. I have had a lot of wine since then, but nothing has ever measured up to my favorite.

After a great date night with my wife last week, I decided there was no better time or person to share the bottles with. I put in our fancy corkscrew and, you guessed it, the cork just crumbled into powder. I used a knife to dig the pieces out, but the wine was already past saving. It was brown and had a sour taste.

I have learned that wine does get better with age, but only to a point. Most wines have a window in which to enjoy. Because of my extreme instinct to save and my reluctance to drink my wine unless everything was perfect, I missed out on the opportunity to enjoy it at all.

I am a huge believer in saving and planning, but I also believe you must enjoy what you have along the way. You never know what tomorrow will bring.

I do not know the perfect mix of saving and seizing the day. That is a personal decision, but I do know that if you do not capitalize on certain moments, they will pass you by.

Until next time…we are Advoco, make every minute count.

About Craig: Craig Page is a self-proclaimed “data geek” with nearly 20 years of EAM/maintenance consulting experience. His favorite work is data migrations. He enjoys solving the puzzle to make the data fit and keep the integrity of the information. When Craig isn’t in front of a computer, he is probably running a chainsaw or a tractor. Have a question for Craig? Send him an email!