Vin d’émotion is basically very easy – it’s a wine that makes you want to pour another glass … then the full bottle, before you start checking for the next bottle and where you can get it.
In essence, “Joie de vivre” is the beautiful French phrase often used to express a cheerful enjoyment of life, an exultation of spirit, and general happiness.
This is the effect a Vin d’émotion should have on you. It’s emotion, and while this is subjective, there is a reason why some wines and vintages are extremely sought after, while others are often forgotten. Why Haut Brion 1989 is always remembered, and why the 1987 is often forgotten… Why La Tâche 1990 is legendary and the 1989 is often out of your focus.
Some wines hit a hedonistic home run in most vintages – but rarely all – some only once in a producer’s lifetime!
Energy is essential to a Vin d’émotion: the acidity, the liveliness and the effortlessness, along with the joy that the wine brings to your palate and mind.
It is not about greatness … it’s about freshness, balance, purity and refinement. Too many wines are imposing and built to impress … but at the end of the day, some bottles are difficult to finish … whether it is a Burgundy, Bordeaux or a Rhône …
This is why great art is not sold by the square meter, and this is why a great Vin d’émotion is the combination of the right piece of land (terroir) and the right grapes (clone type and age of the wines). It’s about having the right vigneron with the right talent, who has done the right viticulture – given the weather and climate – and made the most effortless and hedonistic wine from these fine grapes (viticulture and vinification) focusing not on power, but delicacy and the hedonistic joy you get from the wine.
A re-focus of Vin d’émotion
Global warming is however taking its prisoners. The wines are getting bigger, riper and the degree of alcohol is ever-increasing. This is unfortunate news for the lovers of Vin d’émotion.
The french therm “vif” encompasses some of these values (Le Figaro) – “Vif”: Vin dominé par l’acide mais d’un niveau acceptable qui lui donne un aspect frais et léger.
I have rephrased this a bit “Vin Vif” – a Lively Wine: Wine driven by acidity and balanced by fruit which gives it a fresh, energetic and light appearance.
The term “Vin de soif” is less focused on the character of the wine, and more on the drinkability. This is perhaps, in the end, two sides of the same coin … but I want to emphasise the fresh, energetic and light appearance … frais et léger … as these are the very fundament of all Vin d’émotion.
The revised Vin d’émotion
I have therefore decided to make a small but important change to the Vin d’émotion definition and scale.
The notions of fresh, energetic and a light appearance have always been important in all wines – a light appearance does not mean light physically … but rather, a wine with a light appearance lifted by terroir, acidity and energy.
For the lesser wines, however, it is important to emphasise the fresh, energetic and light appearance … as this is what we want in years with high ripeness and low acidity.
I have therefore decided to replace “vin de soif” with “vin vif” …
– A Vin Vif – fresh, energetic and with a light appearance
The full Vin d`émotion scale is now …
Vins d’émotion
– A true vin d’émotion – a Burgundy of passion
– A truly hedonistic wine – lively and enjoyable
– A vivacious wine for pure indulgence
– A Vin Vif – fresh, energetic and with a light appearance
Tedious
Annoying
Wine is for pleasure, joy and love …
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