An Introduction

The why, the who, the where, the wine

There is something quite poignant about the way wine makes me feel, and seems to make those around me feel. It has been around ever since I can remember, my parents being wine lovers, my granddad knowing more about wine than I likely ever will, a bottle brought out most weekends (days), from the foothills of Alsace to the coast of New Zealand, a new label, a new experience. Those summer evenings in the South-West of France growing up, sitting at the adults table, the odd sip offered by my Nana away from the gaze of my parents, that over the years developed into a diluted half glass, and finally a full glass with dinner as the summers rolled on.

The interactions it brings, its ever-presence when friends and families come together, the tasting, the enjoyment, the silliness that then ensues after one too many, is where wine’s beauty lays. The stories retold for years to come can often be a direct outcome from a bottle of red, white or pink. I’ve realised over the years that it is never stowed away by the recipients when gifted at dinner parties or events. This specific offering is always opened immediately, always best enjoyed with friends and always received with the upmost gratitude. That is the beauty and mystique behind one of humanity’s oldest vices. It is a memory maker, a thanks offering, a peace offering (those who know me know of a specific time with the neighbours), a reward after a tough day of work, a celebration (often in the fizzy form), a parable in the Bible, and more importantly, the livelihood and passion of so many across the world. That is what sparks my interest - wine is a social chameleon.

Here are a few names you may know that hold the same or a similar sentiment:

“Wine cheers the sad, revives the old, inspires the young, makes weariness forget his toil.” Lord Byron

“Wine is one of the most civilised things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.” Ernest Hemingway

“Penicillin cures, but wine makes people happy.” Alexander Fleming

That relationship with human feeling led me to question, how has it been so pervasive in culture since ancient times (the first evidence of wine through carbon dating is estimated around 6000BC in Georgia), who and where are the people behind this beast of an industry, how is it made in so many different forms, why is France so well known for wine, why does it make food taste better (sometimes worse), why does wine taste of everything except fecking grapes, and why on earth do I know absolutely nothing about something I’ve been around my whole life.

So, this year I did something about that, and completed my level 2 WSET (Wine Spirit Education Trust) qualification. This by no means makes me an expert, there are 4 levels and many other wine qualifications you can do, but it’s a start, and was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, recommended to all who have a spare 9 weeks. I aim to continue my journey and I’m figuring out, the more you delve in, the more you realise you know nothing at all, and never will know everything. Nobody likes a know it all anyhow so I’m okay with that.

So, if I can draw a line in the sand, the aim of this blog is as such; to explore different varieties, different regions, hopefully speak to different people about their experiences, both in the industry as well as friends on the ground enjoying an 8 quid bottle on a Friday night. Perhaps there will be a recommendation or two for your next trip to the supermarket, a destination for your next long weekend away to Europe, or just a random fun fact like most of the wine corks in the world come from Portugal. But we’ll get into all of that.

One more thing, so that this wasn’t a total waste of your time, I’m going to put each person who subscribes before the second post next week, into a ballot and there will be 3 winners, who will get a bottle of wine of their choosing (within reason).

And finally, here is an initial wine recommendation from me: Domaine des Tourelles from the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. Awesome red, super drinkable with some dark cherry, spices and fig/date notes to finish. Really reasonable from Majestic at £11.99 in a Mix Six, well worth it, little bit off the beaten track, and you can purchase here: Majestic Link

Stay tuned,

Harry