John Payne

Retired OB-GYN John Payne prefers wines that deliver....

How old are you? Let’s just say that I’m old enough to know that once you’re over the hill you begin to pick up a little speed.

What did you do in the real world? After practicing obstetrics and gynecology for over 36 years in Indianapolis I’m now pleased to be pursuing my true calling in life … to become a “wine guy”.

When and how did your love of wine begin? After surviving the beer and cheap liquor phase of my youth (post legal age of course), I began to associate with some older physicians who had a keen interest in wine. The key event for me was my first trip to Napa in the early 1980s where I was not only taken by the stunning beauty of the region, but also fascinated by the whole winemaking process. The abundant opportunity for tasting, which was all free of charge at that time, was tremendously enlightening as long as you could tolerate the tannic fuzz on your tongue from the young cabs of that era.

How would you classify your tastes in wine, old world or new world? I’m primarily a new world guy and enjoy a wide variety of American-made wines. Additionally, I have a particular fondness for Aussie Shiraz and the occasional South American Malbec.

All of us have our favorites. What varietals or regions do you feel are your strongest areas of expertise? I’m going to leave the judgment about wine expertise to others, but I can answer the favorite question easily. With any luck, my last sip of wine on this earth will be a California Zinfandel, preferably a monster Turley. I’m also very fond of Pinot Noir. With the variety of styles from Oregon to California in addition to French Pinots, you can pair this wine with almost anything.

What is your favorite food and wine pairing? I try to keep it simple so give me a grilled burger or smoked brisket and a bottle of Zinfandel and I’ll be happy.

What is your current favorite bottle? I really like the 2013 Elyse Zinfandel that we have in the store. The 12% Petite Syrah and 6% Carignan really add complexity while maintaining great balance. The 2015 Austin Hope Cabernet from Paso Robles is also a wonderful bottle. It really explodes with intense dark fruit and aromatics of cedar and vanilla.

Your favorite restaurant? Currently, in Indy that would have to be Vida. I’m also fortunate to live only two minutes from Oakley’s Bistro.

What was your most memorable bottle? While in San Francisco in 1992 I had a bottle of Martinelli Jackass Hill Vineyard Zinfandel with loin of venison in a rich red wine sauce. If you’re not familiar with the story behind the name of this wine you should Google it just for fun.

Your favorite guilty pleasure? I try hard not to feel guilty about any pleasure.

Funniest moment working here? On a quiet weeknight in Zionsville Mat says to me why don’t you work on dusting the shelves in the dessert wine room. Now, being vertically challenged and having to work over a bunch of port stacked on the floor in front of the shelves, I decide to get a step stool, which of course is now sitting on an inclined ramped floor. Ok, maybe I didn’t think this thing through very well. So I’m balancing on the step stool reaching to the top shelf when I look down and realize my belly is bumping against the most expensive wine in the store, nudging it perilously close to the edge. If you haven’t guessed, it was a bottle of Chateau d’ Yquem 2009, $564. No sad ending so you have to laugh about it.

Best and worst things about working here? I don’t really make any money — I just spend a little less on wine.