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Whenever I tell people what I do for a living, the most common response I get is, “how on earth did you ever get that job… and do you need any help?” While I could go on to tell people about the wine education classes I took in college, the experiences I had working in the hospitality or retail industries, or the continuing education classes I’m enrolled in now, I know deep down inside that there is only one true answer to that question: my father.
I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the wonderful world of vino at a very young age. My father had always been passionate about wine, showing no hesitancy in taking pride in what he enjoyed and wanting to share with everyone that pleasure and fulfillment. While he had an inherent passion for wines from his heritage (Italian), he certainly did not end his ventures there. Barolos and Brunellos were always on the top of the list, but so were fine Riojas, Montrachets and Chablis. He also had a penchant for finer spirits such as Cognac, teaching me about the various grades of quality (or ageing) through a line tasting of VS, VSOP, XO, Napoleon and Louis. Now that was an education I’ll never forget.
And I’ll also never forget the three hour conversation that ensued while deconstructing the differences between a Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, and Bâtard-Montrachet; how many people are fortunate enough to be surrounded by individuals that passionate and interested in wine to carry on such a discussion (presuming that you yourself are)?
Surprisingly, these experiences weren’t even limited to just the two of us. Frequently, friends and loved ones were “invited” to be part of the fun, whether they were dinners at fantastic restaurants, lunch picnics after apple picking, or excursions to the “lake house” in snow or sun (both of which were fun and always included the “sparkler test” where my father would dispense sparklers and watch how entertained we were to determine how much wine we’d consumed). He always wanted to share the experience, the education, the wine… as it was always about just making great memories to him. Memories that would last forever and could never be forgotten. That, to him, was the meaning of everything, as he wrote in his journal:
“Experiences in life cannot be written down like the constitution, they can only be lived. And after each encounter one should not have feelings of hate, love, abandonment, remorse, sorrow; only peace and gratitude in knowing that for a time, whether it be a lifetime or an hour, you were and still are a part in this scheme of things.”
And you forever will be, dad. On the anniversary of his passing I will still be making new wine memories with him tonight as I open up an Allegrini 1999 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico inherited from his cellar and wonder what he would have thought about it and what fantastic conversation would have ensued from there. I will remember all of the great times we shared, and how lucky I am to have had such a wonderful (wine) mentor.
I’d love to hear stories of your experiences where wine played a central part. Stories of love, grief, embarrassment, hilarity; any kind of remembrance you’d like to share… and keep those memories alive.
Lauren Buzzeo is the Assistant Tasting Director and Resident Beer Goddess at Wine Enthusiast Magazine. She thrives on shaking up the stereotypes of both wine and beer enthusiast alike. She is currently working on obtaining her Diploma in Wines & Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.
Filed under: Opinions and Commentary
6 Comments
October 16th, 2008 at 4:05:02 PM
Well thanks for passing your love of wine on to me! Your dad would be proud because you’re my wine mentor.
October 16th, 2008 at 4:34:54 PM
I remember my first taste of a Puligny-Montrachet during a tropical candlelight dinner. The Queen(the big E) had just been there and we enjoyed some bottles that were kindly not consumed by her Royal Highness. The food was wonderful the company grand and the wine superb. What better memory is there. It is wonderful Lauren that you have such poignant memories to always have with you. Food and wine are such sensory triggers that they can evoke a memory by taste or smell. You are lucky that through this connection you have found a your vocation.
October 16th, 2008 at 5:15:44 PM
I’m a wine lover myself, but unfortunately can’t deconstruct the differences between a Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, and Bâtard-Montrachet. I can however pair the experience of drinking it with the memories of the friends and family surrounding me. Great stories and a feeling of warmth, togetherness and good conversation, as well as having a very large lobster on my plate while scarfing clams and mussels at the Lake House.
Lauren, I’ll never forget the picture of your Dad with the larger than life lobster claw. Good times and memories…and sparklers =)
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:33:05 PM
I can’t really point to one experience, per se, but I am appreciative that I was raised in a family where wine was appreciated as part of a meal, not simply as a liquor to get drunk. Further, we were allowed as children to taste and appreciate…wine, or any other liquor, was not treated as “forbidden fruit” and I think that shaped my whole approach to alcohol in general. I appreciate wine for the way it complements a meal, or the way it just sets the right mood for an evening. I appreciate after-dinner drinks as a nice conclusion to a wonderful meal. All of the appreciation and enjoyment is a reflection of what was modeled for me at home. As I started dating, it was kind of a litmus test for me…did the guy know anything about wine? If not, was he open to trying it? I know, it was snotty of me, but a guy was in or out depending on how me managed the wine list. I got my priorities in line over time (after dating plenty of jerks who knew their way around a wine list just fine) and married someone who wasn’t into wine when we met, but has been open to trying and he’s developed a taste for what he enjoys. I continue to enjoy pairing foods and wine, trying new wines, and recently, thanks to Lauren’s guidance and suggestions, I’m broadening my horizons into beer and food pairings. It is a never-ending education, and an approach to food and wine I hope to pass onto my children. Lauren, thanks for sharing your story and I think it is a beautiful legacy you have to build on…you are just so fortunate to be able to take a shared passion and turn it into a wonderful career!
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:09:28 PM
Great post Lauren, got me all choked up here ;) I can really appreciate your relationship with your dad, as I am very lucky to have gotten introduced to the wonderful world of wine in the same manner. The conversations around the dinner table about what we were drinking will always be a such a large part of our relationship. Luckily my dad is still around and we still are able to enjoy in those moments. Just recently, on the day that Robert Mondavi passed away, I was going to my folks to celebrate my cousin’s engagement. I had a bottle of 2003 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet sitting in my cellar. While I knew it was going to be young and need hours to really open up, I thought what better occasion to share this bottle. We talked well into the night about Mr. Mondavi, his legacy in the world of wine, and about my dad’s fairly recent conversion from a staunch Bordeaux lover to a fan of the Califonia regime (thanks in part to all the exposure I have recently given him…as you know ;) We were also able to expose my cousin to a very special bottle of wine in such a way that he may start to be a regular in our little “cult”. While the 03 Reserve was a little disappointing (just too young) it was a night I will not soon forget. Thanks for eliciting those emotions Lauren….sign of great writing. Keep it up!
November 13th, 2008 at 12:52:07 PM
Keep on spreading the word – just as it was spread to you!