The Art of Wine: A Living Expression of Nature
To me, wine is not just a beverage. Wine, at its best, is capable of so much more. Wine can act like a form of art, creating a sensory experience that is greater than the sum of its parts. It can even be an emotional experience, practically bringing an experienced wine drinker to tears. However, whereas other forms of art, music, painting, sculpture, are produced by a person, the art that is wine is a pure expression of nature, Mother Nature expressing herself through the manipulations of a winemaker.
For me, the best wines are those that most purely and transparently express the natural personality of its origins. Therefore, the job of the winemaker is to harness this natural expression and to get it into bottle without interfering too much. If a winemaker manipulates the wine too much, too much oak, too much extraction, it gets in the way of the natural voice of the wine.
In other words, for me, a great wine is a living thing. It is a natural thing. It is an expression of nature. This is true of any style of wine. Some simple inexpensive wines fit this bill. They may be simple in flavors, without as much depth and complexity as a great wine, but if they are natural and alive then they have something to offer. There is a place and use for these wines. Likewise, great, complex and long-lived wines have their place as well. I cherish all these types of wines, they all have their place.
On a hot summer afternoon, I love a nicely chilled simple Prosseco or Rosé. A big, deep, complex wine wouldn’t be nearly as satisfying. However, that big, rich wine might be the perfect match to a grilled leg of lamb or even just to sit and contemplate while sitting by the fire. Therefore, when someone asks me what is my favorite wine I ask “Favorite for what?” Each great wine has its purpose and place.
From The Wine Tastings Guide
