Strange on a composer’s website, yes? Well . . . no.
Here’s where it all started . . .
During the summer of 1975, I was invited to a formal dinner by my teacher, the legendary French pedagogue Nadia Boulanger. I was nineteen years old, and I vividly recall two things:
- One’s proximity to Mademoiselle (as she was known despite being in her late 80’s) at the dinner table reflected your standing as a student. The closer you were to her, the higher your status!
- She said that she would not serve good wine to her American students because they “knew nothing about wine.” OK . . . THAT DID IT! I was going to prove her wrong, and for the past 48+ years, I have been learning about wine and tasting wines from around the world. My focus has been on French wine, of course! I think Mademoiselle Boulanger would be pleased with my efforts on that front.
Fast forward to the present day. My friends know that wine is incredibly important to me. I try to know everything I can about any wine I sample. As a result, I surround myself with wine information by being a subscriber to wine magazines, listening to podcasts about wine, following the work of leading figures in the wine industry, reading newsletters, participating in wine clubs, and being a member of wine societies in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
When I travel, I explore local wines, and when I am at home, I make sure that my personal selections include wines of variety and quality. Long ago, I learned that wine is about much more than expensive bottles from First Growth estates. While I would never refuse a glass of exceptional wine, my interest is in having as broad a view of the wine world as possible. For me, it is about innovative wine-making and the efforts that are currently underway to develop organic, biodynamic, and natural wines. These are exciting times in the wine industry!
I am particularly devoted to Garagiste, a Seattle-based wine business. Jon Rimmerman, the company’s founder and sole owner, sends daily e-blasts, and in addition to being entertaining and educational, they definitely encourage wine exploration. You can get to know Garagiste by visiting www.garagiste.com and signing up for their e-blasts.
My favorite wines are from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria, and Germany. I also enjoy many American wines, as well as wines from Argentina, Chile, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. Swiss wine is outstanding, but little is exported because it is almost exclusively consumed by those who live in and visit Switzerland. The photo that appears on my homepage was taken by yours truly high above Salgesch (Salquenen) in the Swiss Canton of Valais.
I make a point of looking for unusual wines in unusual places. A run of the mill liquor store full of brands that can be found anywhere holds very little interest for me. Often my desire to locate a specific item leads to blank stares and shrugged shoulders. I have had some very interesting conversations, and there have been moments when I was thought to be a visitor from outer space. One of my favorite questions is as follows: “Do you have any Armenian wines?”
It is said that some of the very first wine in the world was created in Armenia. I have fond memories of a delicious lunch (with wine) near the birthplace of wine in Areni (Vayots Dzor). Just amazing! And one of my favorite wine establishments in the world is in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. In Vino (www.invino.am) is spectacular. If you make it there, I know you will be toasting this recommendation!
Once, while attending a friend’s wedding in Beijing, I sampled a Chinese wine. Wonderful! At some point soon, I will begin to seriously study that market. There is just so much more to learn.
My enthusiasm for wine should be apparent to all. Thank you Mademoiselle!
Nadia Boulanger and Larry Alan Smith – Fontainebleau, France – 1975
Larry Alan Smith 