It may feel unusual for a chef to speak about wine.
Traditionally, wine belongs to the realm of sommeliers.
Yet as a chef, I find myself drawn first not to the bottle, but to the vineyard.
Before the grapes, I look at the soil.
The stones, the dryness of the earth, the way the wind moves through the rows.
It is the same instinct I have when I look at the sea before choosing fish.
Cuisine is the accumulation of ingredients.
Wine, too, is the accumulation of a place.
What rests quietly in the barrel reflects not only technique, but philosophy.
Without understanding that philosophy,
one cannot truly speak about harmony with food.
When you stand with the grower,
touch the soil,
and breathe the air of the vineyard before lifting the glass,
the contours of the wine become clearer.
Why does a chef speak about wine?
Because wine, like cuisine,
is an expression of land and people.
In a quiet street of Vosne-Romanée,
Domaine Méo-Camuzet stands with quiet dignity.
The name carved into its stone walls carries the weight of time—
a history deeply rooted in this land.
Jean-Nicolas Méo is known as a strict, serious,
and profoundly classical winemaker.
During our visit, what impressed us most was the way he spoke—
carefully, patiently, and in remarkable detail
about each parcel, its history, and its structure.
His explanations seemed almost endless,
yet never excessive.
It felt instead like a sincere desire
to make us truly understand the land.
The 2022 vintage is a year of maturity.
The fruit reached full ripeness,
yet the wines are neither sweet nor heavy.
They are defined by clarity, structure, and tension.
Strict in youth,
but clearly built for time.
Not about immediate pleasure,
but about architecture and longevity.
The philosophy of Méo-Camuzet
reveals itself quietly—
yet unmistakably—
in the glass.
During my time in Burgundy,
I visited Domaine Georges Roumier.
Tasting the wines in the cellar was not simply about assessing flavors,
but about engaging with the philosophy and attitude behind them.
Guided by Christophe Roumier’s gentle, thoughtful,
and deeply passionate explanations,
the tasting of the 2023 vintage from barrel
naturally extended to more than three hours.
Through his words and demeanor,
one could clearly sense the sincerity and dedication
he brings to his work.
The reason these wines are loved by so many around the world
lies not only in their quality,
but also in the character of the person who makes them.
Wine reflects not only land and time,
but also the humanity of its maker —
a truth that this visit once again affirmed.
From May to June 2024,
I traveled through France,
visiting wine producers primarily in Burgundy,
as well as the Rhône and Champagne regions.
Standing in the vineyards, stepping into the cellars,
and listening closely to the voices of the winemakers,
I was given the opportunity to deeply understand
the land, the passage of time, and the philosophy behind each wine.
During this journey, I tasted the 2022 2023 vintage—
mainly from barrel, and in some cases from bottle—
while learning about the ideas and intentions that shape each wine.
As the 2023 vintage begins to be released this year,
I would like to gradually share what I saw, heard,
and truly felt during these visits.
Beyond the wines themselves,
I hope to bring the mindset and values behind them
into my daily work.