The first thing to know about wine

How to know about wine? There are many courses, officially recognized or simply amateur, books or websites you can learn from, but I will wait to list them here. Before starting to write about the world of wine, spirits, mixology, or producers, I would like to focus on what I learned in these twenty years of complete immersion in this fantastic and exciting wine universe.

The first thing to clarify is that as much as you spend all your time absorbing knowledge on the subject, visiting wineries, meeting producers, following all tastings as far as humanly possible, and investing all the resources only in this, we should have the humility to say that we are almost always at the starting point. I am surprised when I hear people who feel expert after a few courses or a minimal working approach. They generate in me a feeling of envy of very short duration…

The beverage world is so vast and complex that I am sorry to disappoint you: it is impossible to “know everything”. Just think of how many areas, producers, types of wines and vines we have just in Italy, and everything is constantly changing. What you knew about a winery, a particular vintage can be upset from year to year. Persevere and fully enjoy the path of discovery. It won’t be difficult; never be ashamed to pose questions, even if they sometimes seem silly. Don’t stop asking, travelling, and having insatiable curiosity. It is precisely curiosity that keeps us young.

I was incredibly fortunate to dedicate my time working not only to the world of wine but also of spirits, food, restaurants, and even the fumoir. I had the opportunity to have days, months, and years in which I dived headlong into research in this sector. The more you dive, the more you pray to have time to discover new horizons and reach other goals. It is easy to get passionate.

Sometimes it takes work to find your role in the professional field. Then it is better to continue learning and, above all, to talk to people. They can see what escapes us, or they can have a project that could involve us. Or better yet, by discussing with others, we can become a generator of new ideas. Each of us has a gift. To find it out, act, and never stop learning.

Are you curious about Classic and Bizzare Food and Wine pairings? Read more…

About My Path