Wine is people

There is a common misconception spread by even vignerons in Burgundy that wines are solely the result of terroir, climate and sepage in the vineyards. While this is a large part of the truth, and this is why I write about Burgundy… and why I adore the wines here, this is where vinous magic can happen.

I do admire Aubert de Villaine’s extensive and passionate work to promote the Burgundian terroirs … but even at DRC, the grapes do not jump directly from the vines and into the bottle at random optimal dates.

In fact, global warming is day by day increasing the importance of human intervention – that being timing and talent.

The big missing part is often the human touch, the choices and abilities of the vigneron and their team. Choosing oak is a very large factor and too little discussed … viticulture including biodynamics … equally overlooked. Sulfur levels … destemmed and whole cluster … and with global warming, the knowledge of the team, including the consultants chosen.

The choices of the winemaker and owner are crucial… terroir alone does not do the trick, this is why so many wines from big terroirs are disappointing… the lack of talent is sometimes overwhelming.

But when great minds and talent unite with the Burgundian terroirs, magic can happen. Vignerons like Thibault Morey, Pierre-Olivier Garcia, Louis-Michel Liger-Belair and Céline Fontaine-Gagnard do the magic … not in all wines … but often and mostly. This is just the start of the journey that will let you in behind the facade of the vignerons we love.

Here at Winehog, we know it is the vigneron who makes the wines, and in almost every case, the personality and circumstances of the winemaker are reflected in the wine.

Interesting wines have personality – Great wines have personality and great terroirs

This is why we will take a step further at Winehog… and have included the visual dimension with photos from Dr Chua Yang … who has a fine-tuned sensitivity to find some of the key qualities. We often agree … and this is why I think that the last element in Vin d`émotiion is the human touch.

I give you our and my vineyard personalities …

Photos taken by Dr Chua Yang … 📸 @drchuayang