Hi friend!
This week, I unlocked a new chapter on my social media channels - winemaker interviews galore! Meet the Masters began as a one-on-one Youtube series for my MW studies but has since grown into a lineup of over 10 interviews for the rest of 2024 and a lot more in 2025 (but I won’t reveal those yet). I’m talking legends like Thibault-Liger Belair, Aurélien Laherte, Seb Morin, and Santi Planeta. To anyone who thinks you need a ‘professional setup’ to make great content - think again. In today’s world, people crave authentic conversations and genuine insights. I’m honoured to share exactly that, straight from the wine world’s best.
WINE I’M DRINKING
Clos Cibonne Tibouren Côtes de Provence Cuvée Tradition Rosé Cru Classé 2021 (Clink Clink, 70 SGD)
Rosé doesn’t get nearly the respect it deserves in the wine world. Despite whatever life-changing bottle you’ve had or tales of the “perfect” rosé that made your summer, it remains a hard truth: this category stays perpetually underrated. Even orange wine - its cousin in production, made through similar methods but using white grapes - has outpaced rosé in terms of intrigue and acclaim. Yet, here we are, still chasing that mythical bottle that will propel rosé into the limelight it deserves. Clos Cibonne is supposedly one of those producers. Their rosé from Provence is crafted primarily from Tibouren, an almost-forgotten grape known for lending depth and body to rosé, with a touch (10%, to be exact) of Grenache thrown in, to abide with the law.
Everyone on CellarTracker seems to be in agreement: this wine is supposed to be a beacon of complexity. The talk of a slightly oxidative edge from aging under a thin veil of flor, “electric energy,” and “remarkable character” reads like high praise. But sitting with my glass, I found none of that magic. To me, this was just another Provence rosé with a red-fruited core - nothing more, nothing less. The promised layers of intrigue never showed up; instead, it felt one-dimensional and, dare I say, a bit dull. The acidity that was hyped as “electric” barely sparked - it’s moderate at best. I’ve been racking my brain for something redeeming to say, but I’m coming up empty. If anyone out there has had a different experience, please reach out with a bottle.
BOOK I’M READING
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
Milan Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being is nothing short of a masterpiece - a philosophical and emotional journey wrapped in an exquisitely told narrative. From the very first page, Kundera's deft exploration of themes like love, freedom, fate, and the meaning of existence captures the heart and mind. Set against the backdrop of Soviet-occupied Czechoslovakia, this novel goes beyond the surface of political turmoil to delve into the intricate lives of its unforgettable characters: Tomas, Tereza, Sabina, and Franz. Kundera’s writing balances profound philosophical musings with deeply human moments, creating a blend of heaviness and lightness that is both thought-provoking and moving. The interplay between Tomas’ quest for freedom and Tereza’s longing for rootedness brings a universal exploration of human contradictions. Through their struggles, desires, and frailties, Kundera paints a poignant portrait of what it means to grapple with the weight of life’s choices - or the lack thereof.
The funniest thing about me picking up this book is that I had Kundera’s books on my shelf for the last 20 years and finally decided to open one. Life is fluid like that. What makes this book truly exceptional is Kundera’s ability to blend the personal and the political, the philosophical and the physical, with prose that is both lyrical and precise. The metaphor of "lightness" versus "weight" serves as a touchstone throughout the novel, inviting readers to question their own lives: Are we driven by fleeting moments of joy, or do we seek permanence and meaning? Kundera doesn’t provide easy answers, but he offers something even more valuable: an invitation to reflect on the paradoxes of being human. The Unbearable Lightness of Being is a novel that lingers long after the last page, leaving readers pondering its complex characters, elegant prose, and timeless themes. It’s a triumph of literature that demands to be savoured, revisited, and cherished - a reminder of the fragile beauty and unbearable lightness of being. Five stars for a work that touches the soul and mind with equal grace.
RANDOM THOUGHT
Have you ever thought of doing some form of social media content in your industry or for your brand? Share your insights below!
As always, thanks for reading - stay thirsty, stay curious. If you would like to further support me, you can follow me on Instagram or LinkedIN.
See ya in a week!
Aleksandar
I watched the film of TULOB years ago, and the thing that’s stuck with me is Daniel Day-Lewis saying, “So! Take of your clothes!”