Yes wine can change your life!! A 2006 bottle of Podere Pradarolo Vej Bianco Antico changed the trajectory of my wine career, I had no words at first. It was one fo the most exciting wines I had every had. I believe it was like 2010/11. Long maceration, a color of molten lava. I knew this was the kind of wine that made my heart sing.
Sounds like a similar experience to mine. I really had no frame of reference when I first started tasting wines like this. I guess that's what made it so exciting.
It is the universe speaking to you. I'm happy you shared it with us. Same wine, same aha moment for others. I spent some time thinking about that one bottle you describe and I need to go back to 1982 when I moved in with a college buddy of mine and we had our first German wine tasting. A Rheingau really stood out for me, the 1976 Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Spatlese. That opened the door to the everything that has come since. Great friends, good food and transformative wine. What a great combo. To quote an old EWBC theme, "Wine in Context" at it's best. Cheers, Simon!
I love hearing about these memories and stories from others. I certainly had a few amazing Rieslings along the way but Rheingau wouldn't have been the region I'd ever think could make the sparks fly. Happy it did for you!
I loved both of these stories and also to see how this special wine came back into your life 🧡 For me it was the same region that changed my view on wine forever, but instead it was Danika Podversic Kaplja that blew my mind. A tasting in Oslo with the full Podversic lineup was all I needed to know that orange wine was something I had to learn more about and your book was the first and only proper source of information I could find. So thank you for going on that journey all those years ago and for continuing on it. It changed my life completely and now I’m working at Andi Mann in Rheinhessen which I would have never guessed would happen. Merry Christmas Simon and thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion 🧡
Oh you have inspired the whole way, would never have engaged on this adventure of orange wine if you hadn’t lead the way beforehand!
And yes, we went there for the harvest this year and for me to work there until Christmas but we liked it so much so now we are moving there and gonna see how this adventure unfolds! It’s been incredible to be able to work with my hands in the vineyards and at the winery with Andi Mann and I also have been so lucky to make my own orange wine! I’ll give you a bottle when it’s done sometime next fall 🥂
Happened to me when i first tasted Marlon from Batič, Vipava valley, Slovenia. Suddenly, i was in heaven,drinking a beverage from gods...you nevef forget the first one😉🥂
Yes it can. A visit to Jeff Coutelou, a taste of La Vigne Haute 2012 and 2 years later I was working alongside him for three years and am still doing every vendanges plus other bits and pieces.
Yes wine can change your life!! A 2006 bottle of Podere Pradarolo Vej Bianco Antico changed the trajectory of my wine career, I had no words at first. It was one fo the most exciting wines I had every had. I believe it was like 2010/11. Long maceration, a color of molten lava. I knew this was the kind of wine that made my heart sing.
Sounds like a similar experience to mine. I really had no frame of reference when I first started tasting wines like this. I guess that's what made it so exciting.
Lovely synchronicity!
It is the universe speaking to you. I'm happy you shared it with us. Same wine, same aha moment for others. I spent some time thinking about that one bottle you describe and I need to go back to 1982 when I moved in with a college buddy of mine and we had our first German wine tasting. A Rheingau really stood out for me, the 1976 Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Spatlese. That opened the door to the everything that has come since. Great friends, good food and transformative wine. What a great combo. To quote an old EWBC theme, "Wine in Context" at it's best. Cheers, Simon!
Sometimes the universe can be quite magnanimous!
I love hearing about these memories and stories from others. I certainly had a few amazing Rieslings along the way but Rheingau wouldn't have been the region I'd ever think could make the sparks fly. Happy it did for you!
I loved both of these stories and also to see how this special wine came back into your life 🧡 For me it was the same region that changed my view on wine forever, but instead it was Danika Podversic Kaplja that blew my mind. A tasting in Oslo with the full Podversic lineup was all I needed to know that orange wine was something I had to learn more about and your book was the first and only proper source of information I could find. So thank you for going on that journey all those years ago and for continuing on it. It changed my life completely and now I’m working at Andi Mann in Rheinhessen which I would have never guessed would happen. Merry Christmas Simon and thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion 🧡
Great to hear your story Odin - and happy if I could help provide some context or inspiration along the way.
I didn't know you have moved to Germany (if I got that right?). So congratulations!
Oh you have inspired the whole way, would never have engaged on this adventure of orange wine if you hadn’t lead the way beforehand!
And yes, we went there for the harvest this year and for me to work there until Christmas but we liked it so much so now we are moving there and gonna see how this adventure unfolds! It’s been incredible to be able to work with my hands in the vineyards and at the winery with Andi Mann and I also have been so lucky to make my own orange wine! I’ll give you a bottle when it’s done sometime next fall 🥂
Amazing, what a great story! Look forward to trying to wine.
Happened to me when i first tasted Marlon from Batič, Vipava valley, Slovenia. Suddenly, i was in heaven,drinking a beverage from gods...you nevef forget the first one😉🥂
Nice choice. It's been their best wine for years.
Your expression in that photo is classic.
Isn't it! I think I was genuinely flabbergasted, mind blown by it all. Either that or I was just hungover and vacant.....
Or both! Hangovers can be transformative too!
Oh yes I've certainly had a few of those . . . 🤦
Yes it can. A visit to Jeff Coutelou, a taste of La Vigne Haute 2012 and 2 years later I was working alongside him for three years and am still doing every vendanges plus other bits and pieces.
The stuff of dreams! I've loved Jeff's wines since I first tried them around 15 years ago.
Did I ever tell you about my abortive attempt to visit and meet him?
You hinted but never told me the full story. Easily remedied
I need to make that happen!
It was no big thing, just a missed flight connection meaning I lost the half day I was supposed to spend with Jeff.
Let me know.