Imagine you have a degree in fine arts from the prestigious Ivy League university Yale in your pocket, you also hold the highest attainable title in the wine world Master of Wine, and all that before the age of 30. Few imitate her, but Hong Kong's Sarah Heller pulled it off, becoming the youngest female Master of Wine in 2017. Heller now combines her two great passions - art and wine - in a special art project called Visual Tasting Notes. In the Dutch company Best of Wines, Sarah Heller found the ideal partner to present her artworks to international wine lovers.
Visual Tasting Notes
Sarah Heller's visual tasting notes are digital collages in which the wine's body and structure (acids, tannins) as well as its aroma, colour and flavour components come together harmoniously. The collages should be read from top to bottom, seeing the outline as the "shape" of the wine. In addition, according to Heller, each image is "as subtle or flamboyant as the wine requires". Heller developed Visual Tasting Notes from her philosophy that written wine descriptions - despite their obvious importance within the wine world - do not always do justice to emotions a wine can evoke. Besides, art is universal, which is why her work is now loved by wine lovers and collectors worldwide.
In collaboration with Best of Wines, the Dutch expert on exclusive wines, Sarah Heller developed a special series of Visual Tasting Notes*. For this series, Sarah tastes, evaluates and visualises wines from producers such as Domaine A.F. Gros (Burgundy), Jonata (California) and Le Macchiole (Tuscany); houses currently imported by Best of Wines. More visualisations of wines from renowned houses are already in the pipeline. The special series of wine portraits can be seen on Best of Wines' revamped website. Every month, a new wine will take centre stage in combination with a Visual Tasting Note by Sarah Heller MW.
Bas van Middendorp (Best of Wines): "Sarah has broken new ground in the wine world with her Visual Tastings Notes and we are happy to be at the forefront of this new trend with her. The combination of our large stock of exclusive wines, Sarah's artistic gifts and joint wine knowledge at the very highest level is unique as far as we are concerned. We are therefore proud that this young Master of Wine wanted to work with Best of Wines. With Sarah's Visual Tasting Notes, we offer our national and international customers an interesting new angle to look at our wines and vice versa, our collaboration is a great way for Sarah to bring her work to the attention of a broad international wine audience."
About Best of Wines
Best of Wines specialises in high-end wines and has one of the largest collections of exclusive wines and whiskies in Western Europe. With over 100 years of buying experience and global contacts, Best of Wines guarantees top-quality products at a fair price. The team's specialist and practical knowledge of wines and whiskies guarantees appropriate advice for every customer. For more information about Best of Wines visit the website www.bestofwines.com Or follow Best of Wines on Instagram.
About Sarah Heller
Sarah Heller MW (born 1988) is a visual artist and Asia-Pacific's youngest Master of Wine. In 2018, she started the Visual Tasting Note art series as an innovative way to describe wine. For more information www.sarahheller.com or follow Sarah Heller MW on Instagram.
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