Sometimes when you taste a wine, you feel the love and pride of the winemaker in the glass.Every drop is filled with respect for the grape and the land. Carrying the story of hours of labour and knowledge passed down through generations. At a wine fair here in Toronto, I came across just such a wine. Pouring the wine for …
En Sprudlande Sangiovese som jag nästan missade
Ibland får man som Sommelier smaka ett vin som stannar kvar i smakminnet. Detta hände mig i Düsseldorf. Men det var nära att jag hade helt missat denna upplevelse. ProWein är, som alla vin-mässor, mer eller mindre organiserat kaos. Som besökare vill, i alla fall jag, besöka så många utställare som möjligt. Schemat är därför intensivt och startar så fort …
A Sparkling Sangiovese
The one you always remember Sometimes, as a Sommelier, you get to taste a wine that stays in your memory. This happened to me in Düsseldorf. But I almost completely missed this experience. To early ProWein, like all wine fairs, is more or less organised chaos. As a visitor, I, at least, want to visit as many exhibitors as possible. …
Mexico, more than Tequila
When talking about alcoholic drinks and Mexico, the first thing that pops to mind is probably Tequila. Therefore, imagine my surprise when at ProWein, I come across wine from Mexico! Of course, I get curious and want to know more. To be honest, my expectations were not exactly sky-high. Rather, my attitude was one of mild tolerance and I prepared …
A chilling frost created a wonderful wine
It all started on a bus Like so much else, it was all a coincidence. Or was it perhaps fate?The first day of ProWein is always filled with anticipation, excitement, and a certain amount of chaos.After a good breakfast, the idea was to take a bus to the exhibition centre on the outskirts of the city. I know where I’m …
Martin Conrad, from tradition, into the future
The right man in the right place There are some people who are absolutely at the right place in life. Martin Conrad is just such a person. His love, pride and knowledge of wine in general and the Mosel in particular is undeniable. The vineyard has been there since 1558 and Martin himself is the 14th generation. He runs the …
A hidden gem in Mount Lehman
Family owned treasure Got the privilege to visit Seaside Pearl Farmgate Winery. A small family-owned winery just over an hour’s drive from Vancouver. I came to a winery characterised by enthusiasm and a willingness to experiment. But above all, filled with respect for the craft and the grapes. Few of the wines produced are blended; instead, each grape is allowed to shine …
Thanisch, comitted Mosel winemakers since 1648
The Moselle Valley is full of vineyards, each with its own unique history. Thanisch’s history officially begins in 1648, although the family and the vineyard have been around longer than that. Not only Riesling Petra Thanisch welcomes me and presents the wines. With a skilful and experienced hand, she guides me through the different varieties. Everything from a fresh, clear …
8th generations of excellent winemakers
The heart of Riesling I am currently in the Mosel Valley, the heart of Riesling. Even though the Riesling grape is found almost everywhere in the world, there is still something special about Riesling from the Mosel. The unique soil and the steep slopes give a very special character and flavour to the wines that cannot be recreated anywhere else. …
How to properly evaluate a wine
It’s all about quality I jokingly say that I have two jobs, as a pastor and as a sommelier.A few months ago I was in Berlin for my second job, as a sommelier. It was time for Berlin Wein Trophy, Germany’s most influential wine competition and the world’s largest international wine challenge under the patronage of the OIV and the …