The wine guide's journey (barcelona), spain
It´s been over two years now that I have been doing what is called Wine Guiding in the Penedès, Barcelona, Spain.
I never started out in the wine world with the intention of becoming a Wine Guide nor indeed host tastings or events, rather it has been something that has evolved.
What was once a hobby has turned into a vital part my company activities. I enjoy being a host, putting my knowledge of local wines to use, sharing experiences as a foreigner working with wine and living in this oh so interesting part of the world.
It's never easy adapting to a different culture. Actually it's one thing to adapt, another to integrate-for me integration is a two way process, something that is often overlooked. Trying to understand, leaving behind the habits of old and adopting new ones that's adaption. But in the end no matter how flexible you are, you can only do this to a certain extent. In the end you become a bit of a Cuvée yourself. In my case I'm a Cuvée with little terroir; a Riesling blended with Chardonnay, Xarello and possibly some Caribbean Rum. Don't ask, it's a long story!
Working with wine when you are not "born" into the industry was one thing; another was learning Catalán "by doing" on the job. Going to visit wineries and then realising that someone was talking to you in their mother tongue (Catalán) because they are ashamed to speak Castillian Spanish is quite weird, and in the end-providing your level of the language is sufficient enough to do so- you answer back in Catalán. It's like going up a ladder: when you're past the first rung you gain momentum and then you just climb higher to such an extent that you become fluent, comfortable and very conversant. The result: after lots of grafting and making a fool of yourself Hacer el ridículo your interlocutors treat you with great respect, as if you were part of their gang.
It's actually incredible that most winery owners speak English, or at least they say they do, but they're just too afraid to speak it. I think most of them could actually host a visit to their winery if they possessed enough courage to do so. Their level of the Queen's language would be deemed as acceptable enough, the trouble is neither their self-esteem nor their will matches their skill set. Then you have others with very poor language skills who just say the first thing that springs to mind, and they get their message across even if it means using their hands and feet. They communicate through boldness rather than precision of language. Visitors get the general gist of how the wine is made, but important concepts aren't captured and therefore the visit is just "nice" rather than mindblowing.
This is where the Wine Guide steps in. A Wine Guide is the representative of the region and part owner of the winery. I guide the visitor. I communicate, interpret and translate for the winery, I take ownership and embody The Message and The Experience, making it much more personal, blend it with my knowledge and cultural diplomacy to give it that extra dose of specialness. Knowledge of the region and being known and respected in the region helps of course. My job is, as a double agent, to be a one, in the interests for both winery and guests alike. I take care of my guests and make sure that they are at ease and comfortable during the whole visit.
After the tour and just before we part our ways, our eyes-the windows of our souls- meet and I am touched with the deep gratitude I receive and feel for the work that I have completed. The company of visitors is usually very enjoyable and therefore goodbyes are sad. I wish there was more time to spend together with these guests. But there never is enough time, but then that's also the beauty of the job.