A Layman Explores Wine 10

by William Powell

 And as everyone knows, this trade fair is open only to industry professionals. Boom!
At this point, I will not entertain any explanations suggesting I “only” got into those hallowed halls with press accreditation. Or that I could probably have turned up just as easily with a press card from “House&Garden” or “My Pet”. I was there!

And I may not have done such a bad job. At least, that’s what you might conclude from some of the comments. Thorsten Melsheimer, for example, even paid me a compliment – admittedly, about my suit, but still.

This is what fizzy pop for grown-ups tastes like

My comparing his very tasty organic Pinot Gris to fizzy pop did seem to throw him a little, though. But I was simply so surprised by how delicious it was. You see, when he said “organic”, I immediately expected the wine equivalent of “organic wholemeal fruit bread” or “tofu sausages”. And then it tasted so fresh and dry and ever so slightly sweet, all at once – it just instantly reminded me of fizzy pop.

Or rather, it gave me the feeling of knowing what fizzy pop ought to taste like if it were made for grown-ups. Anyone who doesn’t quite understand that may not be enough of an expert yet – after all, I was the one at ProWein.

Chardonnay and Christmas

At a Portuguese stand, I even received an approving nod. At least, I think it was approving – by that point I had already sampled plenty of Thomas Hensel’s Grüner Veltliner and the Stolleis family’s Prosecco. Without breakfast. At 10:30 in the morning. In any case, I had asked the sommelier there (who spoke remarkably good German) why his Chardonnay reminded me of Christmas when I tasted it.

And he explained that it was down to spices such as vanilla and the wood used during maturation. And that was exactly when he gave me that look ... approving, I think. Well, he certainly gave me a funny look. Never mind.

Champagne connoisseurs who spit

Things got really professional at a tasting hosted by Champagne Magazine, although at first nobody would tell me what we would be tasting. How was I supposed to know it would be champagne? Am I psychic?The drinks were very tasty all the same – at least, I think I can remember the first seven. Although I did struggle a little with the constant spitting ritual performed by the wine ... pardon me, champagne connoisseurs around me. A little sip here, a slight pursing of the lips, and off goes the good stuff into the little spittoon provided.

Habits like that make you shake your head. I’d better not take my son along. If he sees that, he might copy it. And at the end, I even received a gift from Ute Weinmann.

Definitely one for the girls

After letting me taste her delicious Pinot Blanc, she gave me a little can of her latest invention to take home – for my wife: Pink Hero – a spritz to go. So, really something just for the girls. I ended up drinking it myself on the train. Sorry, darling.