Žymios britų vyno ekspertės Jancis Robinson interviu vynai.com 2006 01 20 spausdinamas "Lietuvos ryto" priede "Savaitgalis". Pateikiame anglišką interviu tekstą.
Who or what inspire you to dive into wine writing and teaching?
Wine itself! It is so delicious and so fascinating and I felt so enthusiastic about what I learnt from teachers and generous wine producers and wine merchants that I naturally wanted to pass it on.
- What does wine culture and writing give and take from you?
A lot of time and hard work! I think I must be a congenital hard worker and because I love what I do it doesn’t hurt, though my family is heartily sick of seeing me with my laptop from 7am until after 7pm so often – and on holiday!
- Is wine really mystery or just fermented grape juice mythologised by wine industry?
Neither. We still don’t know enough about it – especially about exactly how it ages – but it is pretty amazing that the fermented juice of a single fruit can supply us with so many different styles, flavours and emotions.
- The Oxford Companion to Wine: how and when did the idea of this book come and how long does it take to collect so huge amount of facts?
The first edition took five years out of my life 1989-1994, the second took two, 1997-1999 and the third, due out in oct 2006, took up 2004-2005.
- Updated edition of your Oxford Companion to Wine to be published in 2006: what is new and relevant for wine enthusiasts?
It is even more severely editing and revised than the second one was – and I have had the great help (for the first time) of an assistant editor, Julia Harding, who had just passed the Master of Wine exams with top student honours before attacking all the viti and vini entries. About 75% of entries have been revised, 40% fundamentall and there are also about 300 completely new full entries (as opposed to brief ‘signpost’ entries) out of a total now of nearly 4,000.
- Your internet page is one of the very first wine-blogs: reasons behind a kick-off?
Guilt, as usual! I was very aware that I was lucky enough to learn a great deal and taste masses of great wines but in my columns for the Financial Times and my syndicated column (would you be interested in the Lithuanian rights to this – six times a year on a global wine theme?) I didn’t have room to share all my experiences and knowledge.
www.jancisrobinson.com provides me with a great opportunity and infinite space to do this. After a year of it, towards the end of 2001, I realised it had become myprincipal activity and I was soon spending hours on it each day. As I was determined to remain completely independent of advertysigin and sponsorship I decided to introduce a subscription section, purple pages. We now have 4,000 members in more than 70 countries and it is hugely satisfying. I really enjoy updating it every day.
- Wine authorities you rely on or cooperate with?
Just Hugh really on the 5th edn of the World Atlas of Wine which we did together and I am just starting work on the 6th.
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- Does ‘Brits’ vs. Parker debate mean different wine appreciation in Old and
I think ‘debate’ is probably too flattering a word! It is perfectly natural that different people have different tastes in wine. I respect his judgement and don’t say he is wrong. But we happen to disagree about a particular style of wine – exemplified in Ch Pavie 2003 – which should not surprise anyone. There is surely room for several points of view in something as subjective as wine appreciation.
- How would you view wine culture and making perspectives in post-communist Europe and former
I think it’s terribly exciting that wine is conquering these new territories. The Atlas sold particularly well in eastern Europe – all sorts of new editions. Hugh and I had a great time launching it in
10. Most promising wine countries/regions at the moment. Why?
11. The success of the New world wines: why - terroir, technologies, advertising?
Labelling - easy to understand varietals. Good marketing. Not because of terroir - for the moment.
12. Your position on wine ratings and appreciation (100-point scale, 5 stars, other?)
They are a necessary evil in an age when everyone (inc me!) is in a hurry but they are a VERY approximate and potentially dangerous measure of quality.
13. Any hobbies beyond wine?
Travelling with my family.
14. A suggestion for Lithuanian wine enthusiasts, thank you.
Follow your nose – and particularly your own tastes. There are no rights and no wrongs in wine appreciation.