Karin Leeuwenhoek: The last drop

Karin Leeuwenhoek is a theologian, vinologist and communications scholar. She has ninety Italian olive trees, but mostly loves wine - and philosophising about it. See also her wine blog vinoblogy.co.uk She writes a column in every issue of Winelife Magazine. On the last page you will find her Q&A with wine people: The last drop. - TEXT KARIN LEEUWENHOEK

The last straw: Q&A with Anthony Taylor

Anthony Taylor has been an ambassador of winery Gabriel Meffre in Gigondas (southern Rhone) for more than 20 years. What drives him?

By the way, your name doesn't sound very French...

'I was born in America, but when I was four we moved the family to France. Thank God, because I am soooo glad I live here. The sea, the mountains and the quality of life, especially when it comes to food and drink: truffles, vegetables, fruit and especially... the great wine!'

Did you get into wine at a young age?

'At 17, I started as a sommelier in Beaune and then I was lost forever. Also because I always tasted good wines at home with my parents, even Grand Cru Bourgognes, which were still very affordable back then. Then you do start to love wine, you know.'

And why did you later migrate to the sunny south?

'Her name was Cécile... haha. My then love was a winemaker and came from Sablet, a picture-perfect wine village in the southern Rhône, like Gigondas which is a few kilometres away. Now I live in beautiful L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, which they call the Venice of southern France because of its 'canals'. In 25 minutes I drive to Gigondas.'

Gi-gon-WAT!

'Maison Gabriel Meffre was founded here in 1936 and grew into a winery with 800 hectares of vineyards. When Gabriel Meffre died in 1987, the vineyard acreage was divided among his children and the company had to continue in a different way. We then invested heavily in monocépage wines, wines made from a single grape variety, for which we cooperate with Languedoc vintners. Those wines are mainly about the fruit and the brand name: you in the Netherlands are undoubtedly familiar with our labels Fat Bastard and Wild Pig! Under the name Gabriel Meffre, we make our signature range: AOC wines from the famous appellations of the Rhône Valley. Think Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras and, of course, Gigondas. Our company now has 90 hectares of its own vineyards, half of which are certified organic.'

Curious about the other questions and answers? You can read them in the latest Winelife edition 70. Order this one here!

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