Some love the beach. Others head for the hills. Many like to explore new cities, others enjoying hiking in the countryside. What is your idea of a perfect holiday?

Me, I like doing all of the above, of course. But the ideal holiday for me is discovering a wine region. Driving around, discovering the countryside, the people, talking to the winemakers, absorbing some of their passion and listening to their stories. Above all, sipping on the wine. Each wine tells a story of the place it is from, the people who have made it, and what it means to them.

I am far from being a Jancis Robinson, Robert Parker or Antonio Galloni, famous names who are fortunate enough to make a lucrative career out of doing what they love. But I am very lucky nonetheless. Lucky to have several friends, acquaintances and business associates, not to mention family, who are on the same wavelength, who speak the same language, enjoy nothing better than that glass of wine straight from a winery’s cellar, or accompanied by the food of that region; notching up some of those perfect moments which go towards creating a memorable holiday.

I have been fortunate to have had several such perfect moments. Sitting in the room at Krug, tasting Clos du Mesnil 1998, with Joseph Krug’s diary in its glass case alongside. (more…)