As someone who has spent decades walking among vines, talking with winemakers, and tasting bottles that hold centuries of tradition, I’ve always believed that wine is about so much more than just what’s in your glass. This philosophy is at the heart of our latest Wine Talks episode, ‘Wine Terroir: How History Shapes Our Wine Journey,’ featuring the insightful Stephanie Morton Small.
When Stephanie brought up the story of May Elian Long Song—the Comtesse de Pichon Longueville—protecting Jewish families during WWII, she asked a question that really struck me: Isn’t this history, this lived experience, part of the terroir that shapes the wine? She wasn’t just talking about the soil or climate, but the tapestry of human experience stamped into every bottle. Honestly, I’d never heard terroir described that way before, and I think it’s brilliant. This perspective—that a winemaker's personal journey and the historical context they operate in play a vital role in the final product—is something I wish more people would consider when they enjoy a glass.
If there’s one thing I want our LinkedIn community—especially those engaging with wine for business, culture, or pleasure—to take away from this episode, it’s this: exploring wine allows us to taste the world, and tells the story of its people and places. Whether you’re globetrotting for vineyard visits or simply exploring new varietals from your local wine shop, each bottle is an entry point into a much richer narrative.
I remember, early in my career, I was content to let the wine speak for itself. But the older I get, and the more I travel, the more I realize that what we pour into our glasses is inseparable from the people who pour their lives into making it. You can taste the world by the glass, yes, but if you get the chance to walk those vines, poke your nose into dusty cellars, and hear the anecdotes passed down from generation to generation—you’re suddenly part of a tradition that goes beyond agriculture or commerce. It’s about resilience, innovation, and, sometimes, acts of heroism like those of the Comtesse.
That’s why I’m committed—through every episode of Wine Talks—to uncovering and sharing these stories. Wine is a universal language, but it’s the unique dialects of history, geography, and people that make each bottle sing. Wine has always connected me to something bigger—a broader human story that’s still being written. I hope that comes across in our conversations.
So, my bottom line? Next time you open a bottle, remember: you’re not just enjoying fermented grape juice. You’re savoring generations of history, culture, and personal journey. That’s the story I aim to tell—and to keep hearing—as long as I have the privilege of hosting Wine Talks.
Cheers, Paul Kalemkiarian
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