Us at Battle of the Bones vs. judges at the World of Wine Festival (second of two parts)

In the first part of our People vs. Wine Judges story, we gave a nod to wine judges who are trained to detect, recall and identify winning traits in the thousands of wines they taste.

But maybe their choices don’t taste good to you. Their Best of Show may be your idea of vinegar. Wine tasting is highly personal. And things outside of your control can affect your reaction to wine. Flavors can be all flaboogled by so many variables, including those that are chemical, mechanical, physiological, psychological and even physical.

Some people are super tasters able to pick up the slightest nuisance while others seem to have one, lazy taste bud. Some people are terrorized by a whiff of something unpleasant (like someone else’s perfume) while others can’t smell at all (and why do these opposites always seem to couple up?).

Upbringing and culture, too, play havoc with our sense of what tastes good. Coca-Cola has employees who travel the world to figure out taste bias. They’ve found that Americans raised on milk and sodas “talk dry but drink sweet.” Germans want spicy, Mexicans enjoy citric and Italians crave a little bitterness. And we all know our tastes change as we age (remember when Twinkies were a treat to eat?).

How you’re feeling at that moment can also mess up your tasting experience. Hungry? Tired? Distracted? Then your judgment is corrupted.

And some people, for whatever reason, insist that they just don’t like a particular wine. They can’t even be forced to try it and yet…

Let’s call this the Miles Factor in honor of Miles Raymond, the star of the book and movie “Sideways.” The quirky part about his emotional response is he spits on Merlot and yet his treasured bottle of Chateau Cheval Blanc is a blend of Merlot and another varietal he claims to hate. Oh, humans!

Or maybe wine tastes weird to you because you’re using the wrong glass. So, put down your Tupperware tumbler and get serious with a wine glass that allows a varietal to dance and show off its best.

Then get down to the act of actually tasting. You don’t have to swallow (see Women Don’t Spit), but you do need to swirl, sip, surround your taste buds, then remember the experience. Really good info is at Wine 101: A Sensory User’s Manual. You already know most of it but you’ll also find helpful links to several eggheads’ latest research.

Here’s a great opportunity to practice. This weekend is the grilling Battle of the Bones, billed as a “fierce and delicious competition” between barbecue teams, Oregon and Northern California breweries and four Rogue and Applegate wineries.

Who decides the winners?

You. That is, if you are at least 21 years old, pay $10 to try 12, 1-ounce tastes of wine from your new souvenir glass and then actually vote.

This is the first year that wines have been added to the People’s Choice voting. Four wineries were invited to compete this year, pouring 15 different wines. “By using only 15 wines this year, it ensures a fairer people’s choice contest, as contestants have the opportunity to taste the majority of the wines,” says Sarah Garceau, the Recreation Coordinator for the City of Central Point.

The wineries are:

• Agate Ridge Vineyard in Eagle Point will pour its Syrah, Cascade Terrace Red, Primitivo and Marsanne
• Slagle Creek in Grants Pass will serve its Claret and Chardonnay. “I love barbecue!” says owner Bob Denman. “Although I seem to always get the sauce all over me.”
• South Stage Cellars in Jacksonville will showcase its Pinot Gris, Vintner’s Select and award-winning Muscat. Says events planner Porscha Schiller: “I’ve been told the food will all be spicy, so our Early Muscat is a perfect pairing.”
• Crater Lake Cellars in Shady Cove will has its White Grenache, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Syrah, Merlot 29 and Riesling. “It sounds like a fun, well organized event,” says owner Mary Gardner.

Your $10 wine tasting ticket has a detachable voting stub. Added perk: By voting, you are automatically entered to win a barbecue.

Award Ceremonies will be held on the main stage at Twin Creeks Park:

Saturday, 8:30 p.m.: Saturday’s BBQ People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice Awards
Sunday, 7:30 p.m.: Sunday’s BBQ People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice Awards
Sunday, 7:50 p.m.: BBQ Overall and Showmanship Awards and People’s Choice Microbrew
and Wine Awards

The winners receive a medal.

You? You’ll get to be Judge for the Day. Wear your smug attitude.