Your book combines expert wine knowledge with an emotional narrative. How did you strike the right balance to appeal to both wine connoisseurs and casual readers?
Carsten Henn:
I stayed true to myself – honest, open, and self-deprecating. Authenticity is incredibly important to me, especially in a world dominated by fake news and digital perfection. I didn’t write with a specific audience in mind, but I’m thrilled that the book resonates with wine experts, casual enthusiasts, and even readers who have no interest in wine but know me from novels like "Der Buchspazierer" ("The Book Walker").
How has writing this book changed your personal relationship with wine and the way you approach mindful enjoyment in everyday life?
Carsten Henn:
It changed my career, because as a result of everything I learned over that year, I resigned from my position as editor-in-chief of VINUM magazine.
Great wine requires time and patience – it can't be rushed. Balance is key, and I don’t mean the trendy concept of "work-life balance." I mean giving things the time they need. Just as a winemaker patiently nurtures vines in the vineyard or allows wine to mature in the cellar, we should embrace that same patience in life. It’s an old, simple truth – but truly incorporating it into our lives is a major challenge.
Do you have a favorite wine-related anecdote that you love to share?
Carsten Henn:
Most of my favorite stories are in my book "Gebrauchsanweisung für Wein" ("A User’s Guide to Wine"). But one particularly formative experience was tasting a noble sweet Riesling Auslese from Dr. Randolf Kauer in Bacharach.
Back when I was 19, I would take my old VW Beetle on road trips through wine regions, visiting top wineries and selecting wines for our family cellar. When we opened Randolf’s wine at home, my father dropped to his knees and blessed himself – half in jest, half in pure awe – because he had never experienced such an explosive interplay of acidity and sweetness before. It was a joke, but with a deep grain of truth. That was one of those rare, magical moments of wine that you always read about but seldom experience.
And finally — do you have a favorite wine? Can you tell us how you discovered and fell in love with it?
Carsten Henn:
I don’t have just one. But I do have grape varieties and regions that I’m completely devoted to: off-dry Riesling Kabinett, Burgundian Chardonnay, Jura whites, Champagne, cool-climate Pinot Noir, and aged, traditionally made Riojas.
I know I love them because they’re the wines that disappear from my cellar the fastest. I’ve bought plenty of wines that amazed me at first sip, only to realize later that I never felt the urge to open another bottle. Over time, I’ve learned – through the empty cases and forgotten bottles – what truly excites my palate.
Of course, that doesn’t mean I can’t be completely floored by a 2020 Quinta da Fonte Souto Taifa at Vendôme or a 2021 Chardonnay Tiglat from Weingut Velich at Le Moissonnier in Cologne. Sometimes, a single wine can be so extraordinary that it briefly eclipses everything else.
Carsten, thank you for this inspiring conversation!
Carsten Sebastian Henn is an acclaimed author, wine journalist, and restaurant critic, widely known for his novels and nonfiction books, many of which center around wine and gastronomy. A standout example is "Der Mann, der auf einen Hügel stieg und von einem Weinberg herunterkam" ("The Man Who Climbed a Hill and Came Down from a Vineyard"), in which he shares his personal journey – and challenges – attempting to produce his own Riesling on a Mosel vineyard. The book explores why, despite his extensive wine knowledge, he struggled to succeed in winemaking. More than just a tale of failure, it highlights the profound lessons learned through setbacks and showcases how wine can serve as both a source of pleasure and a metaphor for growth and transformation.
Please note: The book is only available in German.
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