In 2002, the year I started posting on Wine Advocate's bulletin board,
one of the members, Joe Belmaati, started a thread called "My Montrachet Project", describing it as follows:
"I have decided to embark on a dangerous, adventurous journey. My
intention is to try to collect ALL of the 1999 Montrachet-bottlings (as
in Le Montrachet). So far I have found that there are 21 bottlings."
A
fun and interesting project indeed! I don't know the final outcome but
the thread went on for 16 pages and lasted three years until 2005.
Then in 2009, I noticed this tasting of 26 Montrachet from 1999, hosted
by Joe. It seems like it might have been the perfect conclusion of his
project. :-)
That
idea, to embark on a fun personal project, struck a cord inside me and ever since that thread, I've been
thinking of venturing on some kind of vinous project of my own one day. I believe these kind of lifetime projects can be a blessing for your soul. It doesn't necessarily have to be a Grand Adventure, like the one of Bilbo Bagger in The Lord of the Rings. Even something small and very personal, like telling yourself that one day before you check out from this wonderful adventure called LIFE, you'd like to learn how to paint, travel to a particular place or country on this lonely planet, or you might set up a once in your lifetime goal of running the New York Marathon. No matter how big or small, life is too short not to fulfil your dreams. Aim for the starts and who nows...you might actually at least reach the moon. No matter big or small, it will be your lifetime project.
The
years have gone by and I realise that turning ideas into practice is easier said then done.
Until recently, when a friend of mine and also member of Barolo Boys
from Stockholm, on one of our recurrent trips to Barolo, said out
loud that he would like to embark on a lifetime project. To visit every
existing Barolo producer in person. My first thought was negative: "Impossible, it can't be done!".
Especially since there might be 700+ producers of
Barolo in Langhe (something we have narrowed down to ca 350 wineries, since the criteria is to visit only estates that produce and bottle their own Barolo). How easy it is to quickly dismiss an idea... However,
as time passed by, I began thinking more about it and finally I came to my
senses and said to myself:
"Why not? I'm in!"
But I wanted to expand on my friend's seemingly "impossible" project
and came up with an idea. While setting sail to this fun challenge, I
could actually turn my vinous adventures into something I could share with
other lovers of Nebbiolo: a wine publication. The Piedmont Gazette.
The Piedmont Gazette is a declaration of love to Langhe, this tiny yet magical place on Planet Earth that I have fallen in love with. It's a celebration of so many good things in life; the exceptional wines, the delicious local food, the spectacular scenery and above all, the extraordinary Piedmontese people behind the wines. They are without exception the true heroes in my tribute to this magical region.
Those are the positive aspects of my project. I also have some additional reasons for embarking on this journey. They are based on what I personally find are somewhat less positive observations on how professional wine publications are covering the wines and producers of Langhe. In my opinion, they could do better. Much better. If I can do my small part, by showing what can be done with very limited resources and thus remind the professional publications to do better, my hope is that they will copy some of my approach. You can read about it in the Guidlines section.
Whatever wines and producers happen to be aligned with your taste and passion, I hope you will enjoy my stories and follow me on my adventures. (Instagram: baroloforever)
