Thoughts 01 - For the Love of Wine

This article was written as a participating submission for Jancis Robinson’s Writing Competition. Although it was not picked as the top piece, I still very strongly believe in the message that was written almost 3 years ago. Now I am sharing with you. Love to know what you think!

For the love of wine - Sept 23rd 2016

A flawlessly white and foamy surface,

Hot dark macchiato gently poured in,

Forming a coffee brown circle in the middle,

Eyes focused, sparkling with love,

The barista started to draw checkered pattern with caramel syrup on the snowy white hot delight - with such precision and grace.

Wait, not yet finished,

Cinnamon powder is sprinkled generously to finalize this artwork.

It IS an artwork, because passion and love are injected into this caramel macchiato for this yawning early riser's (my) enjoyment.

I observed the barista with much appreciation and joy.

I know he cares.

And then I realized, with a busy location such as the one I was at, he probably would only be able to focus on the art and passion of crafting a drink such as mine during slower times.  How many customers would actually be patiently waiting for him to finish? How many baristas would pour their love and soul into making the drink; not to mention being consistent and uncompromising every single time?  How many have forgotten to stop and savour the delights of finer things in life when they are busy running full speed in the fast lane? How many are capable and willing to "stop and smell the roses" so to speak?

As a consumer turned connoisseur turned aspiring wine and spirit professional, I have met many wine lovers and drinkers within a really short period of time - law of attraction working in full force - we experienced (drank) a LOT of wine!  I have witnessed a fellow WSET Diploma classmate totally fascinated by the wonders that is natural wine and wouldn't stop talking about it. I have interviewed a young passionate winemaker going wild on experimentations. I have the pleasure of knowing many real passionate professionals sacrificing high paying titles to focus on educating the public about a more conscious consumption of wines and spirits. On the other hand, I have also seen someone working as a wine sales who loves to be branded as a "wine professional", but was totally disgusted by the taste of a fine Brunello di Montalcino or creamy, buttery, and elegant Chardonnays. I have seen a case of 2012 Haut Brion was purchase to be consumed that very same night and the sales rep processing the transaction didn’t seem to be bothered by it one bit! “It is all business”, she said. Knowing wine and loving wine has become more than just the purest of such definition but a statement of social status and, in some cases, reason to charge or pay more in order to feel the pride of superiority - egotistical satisfaction. 

If one were to examine the expression “loving wine”, it may mean not only being passionate about wine but also embracing everything that stems from such an alluring and magical beverage. Just like loving a person by accepting all he or she has to offer - the good and the bad.  But let’s look at this from another angle, what is one hoping to gain from drinking wine? Health, status, business deals, or buzz? Or satisfaction of thirst for experience, knowledge and enjoyment. “Looking at the World, One Glass at a Time.” The world presented to me through wine is absolutely fascinating! I was drawn to this world and started my journey trying to show others the possibilities - what an upward battle it has been! Why couldn’t I have just kept it simple and let the drinkers decide what wine means for them?

When asked, many wine professionals would tell you their “epiphany wine” - the wine that changed everything, the wine that started their endless journey. Maya in the movie “Sideways” said hers was a 1988 Sassicaia. Jancis Robinson MW said hers was a bottle of 1959 Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses. A banking executive high up in the corporate ladder told me his was Chateau Lafite Rothschild - like the kind featured in the documentary “Red Obsession” - and I would say “let me guess, 1982?” When asked if he drinks other wines: “Napa Valley? Screaming Eagle. Australian? Penfolds Grange. Burgundy? DRC.” On one hand, I was drooling simply just by hearing the names - these are wines that I would not be able to afford myself - let along opening and drinking them on regular basis. On the other hand, I kept wondering what they get out of from drinking wines of such high caliber. I couldn’t help but feel that these wines were such a waste on people who do not know how and when to appreciate them. Then again, I am not these people, they drive on the fast lane - focusing on very different things and being passionate about very different things than I do. But boy are they missing out - only if they knew how to “smell the roses”.  When other people always get certain bottles whenever they shop - like Jacob’s Creek Moscato and Yellow Tail Shiraz on one end and Harlan Estate, and Mouton Rothschild on the other - there is always an opportunity costs to me buying one bottle versus another. Being with limited available funds and an unsatisfiable thirst for experience, I try everything as much as I can - it is going to be a long and fantastic road! Therefore, I do not have an answer for whenever people ask me “What is your goto wine?” because they all exist for a reason with their own places in the world and own stories to tell. Unlike many wine professionals with actual epiphany wines, my fascination for wine did not start with drinking wine. My eyes were opened when reading this very popular Japanese Manga - Kami no Shizuku (Drops of God). This is the manga that can make bottles fly off the shelves like fireworks on the Fourth of July. In Asia specifically, this manga has the similar branding power to wine as Robert Parker! Reading this manga, the world of possibility was presented to me in a very imaginative, artistic yet literal way. If one can be shown to mountain peaks by drinking a bottle of Grand Cru White Burgundy or feel the universe by drinking Barolo - what kind of experience would that be like? In a very short period of time, I completed WSET Level 1, 2, 3, and now working on getting my Diploma. From a place where Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay were gibberish to me, to where words like barrel aging, green harvest, and on the lees became music to my ears. One of the largest liquor store in my area with shelves after shelves of bottles became my museum of wine and spirit.

I had a wine epiphany and the world is never the same.

Edit:  Aug 20th, 2019

After a lot of studying and drinking and the unwavering support of my amazing wife through the births of my 2 daughters, I received my Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits in 2017 - it was definitely not easy! I am now a WSET Certified Wines and Spirits Educator trying to share with the community what I know and love. When reminiscing the journey thus far, I came across this article I wrote again, my views are still very much the same.  Only now I know truly just how vast and deep it can be to paint this grand vision and possibility for greater sensibility, imagination, and respect when it comes to wines and spirits appreciation.   Even just scratching the surface has already given me so much pleasure and mental clarity.  Starting from passion, and the journey will be a fulfilling and joyful one - with others traveling alongside. We are only getting started.