Learning about wine
It's Monday, time for a new article. Since I'm going to spend all day in Bordeaux at the Beurs van Berlage, I thought it would be a good opportunity to take a closer look at the main villages of the...
A promise is a promise: when I last year 10 favorites from Beaujolais wrote for I concluded "Le Club " with the words "to be continued." That top 10 wasn't complete. Impossible. But no matter how extensive that list ultimately becomes, it will...
Mats wants to become a Master of Wine (part 2)
I'm a sociologist, and after graduating in the Netherlands, I immediately moved to Switzerland to work successively at a winery, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and now a wine importer. Since September, I've embarked on the biggest challenge of my life: becoming...
Mats wants to become a Master of Wine (part 1)
I'm a sociologist, and after graduating in the Netherlands, I immediately moved to Switzerland to work successively at a winery, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and now a wine importer. Since September, I've embarked on the biggest challenge of my life: becoming...
The Road to Weinakademiker - Part 10 (Passed?)
Think big. I want to become a Weinakademiker. On September 3, 2018, I started the WSET Diploma Course, which ultimately—if you add a thesis afterward—results in the title of Weinakademiker. In part 10, I look back on the past year....
The Road to Weinakademiker - Part 9 (Exam Tips)
The final exam of the Diploma Course was scheduled for the end of October. And I can tell you: it went well. I think. Now, a few weeks later, doubts are creeping in again. Did I actually write down enough?...
Sometimes you have moments when you're completely overstimulated. Admittedly, it happens to me regularly – put one epic wine in front of me and I'm completely lost. Last year in Bordeaux, it was a real jackpot. On Tuesday we were...
Now in the glass: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche 1999
There are wines that make you think: It's nice that they exist, but I will never taste them in my life . Take for example Domaine de la Romanée Conti La Tâche 1999 . Made by the legendary winery Domaine de la...
The Four Fermentations of Bollinger
Once you've visited a few Champagne houses, you think you're starting to understand the process. Forget it. In early March, I visited Bollinger and had to start all over again. I was given a tour of the Champagne house's cellars...
Que syrah, syrah - everything about syrah
What do you think of when you think of Syrah? Côte Rôtie, Hermitage, or perhaps Barossa Valley, or perhaps South Africa. A northern Rhône certainly makes my heart beat faster, but there were several surprises. 🎧 We also made a...
The best books on wine tasting
Below you'll find a list of my favorite wine tasting books. They're in random order, as they cater to different audiences. Choose the one you think best suits your level. Can't figure it out? Feel free to leave a comment,...
Beaujolais is more, 10 favorites from the Bojo
In "Wine Simple," the book by top sommelier Aldo Sohm, published last year, there's a list of wines with a bad reputation. At number five: Beaujolais. The accompanying caption reads: " Great makers are rewriting the reputation ." Hit the...