The magic of sound and the magic of taste.

When you hear a really good violin played by a really excellent violinist, it's magic. It's hard to believe that the sound comes out of a small wooden box. The musician has practised for years and years to be able to turn the friction between the bow and the strings into a convincing musical expression. And the perfection of the violin is the work of many luthiers through the centuries. If you haven't experienced the magic of violin sound yet, go to a chamber music concert, like a solo violin recital, violin with piano or guitar accompaniment, or a string trio or quartet. Have a cup of coffee before the concert, get a seat in one of the front rows. and focus on the music. Exclude all other thoughts. Then tell me about your experience.

Likewise, a wine that has that almost unreal explosion of nuances of taste, hasn't come about by coincidence. Years and years of tending the vines, and developing the vinification and ageing process, can, if done on the right terroir and by the right people, turn a beverage made from grapes into something fantastic. If you haven't tasted a sublime wine yet, put a few extra dollars or euros into buying a wine that has got some good reviews, and seem to have the characteristics that you usually enjoy. If it's a red wine, open the bottle a couple of hours in advance, make sure it has the right temperature and that you have a good wine glass. Then enjoy the wine on its own or with the right food or snack to go with it. Focus on the aroma and taste of the wine, without distracting conversation. Then you might understand what the fuzz is about, if you were lucky with your choice of wine.

The violin:
Ulf Kloo 2009, nr.62, made from Bosnian spruce and maple. The sound has a velvety character with hints of leather and dark chocolate but with enough spice to catch an audience in a large hall. Good balance between openness and focus. The varnish is antiqued.
The wine:
See label. Corbières Boutenac is an appelation in the Languedoc-Roussillon. The wine is made from Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah grapes, and has an intense aroma and taste of blackberry, dark chocolate, licorice, black pepper, herbs and leather. Sufficient acidity and ample but rounded tannins. Long pleasant aftertaste. The colour is a deep ruby red.
Château La Voulte Gasparets