Virtual Vineyards: Wine Tasting in The Year 2020
Imagine this: it’s a balmy, late summer afternoon, the sun begins to set and you bask in the warmth illuminating your skin with a golden glow. As you listen to the winemaker describe the vinification process, you take your first sip of a smooth, crimson-colored Cabernet Sauvignon. The aroma awakens your senses and you savor the full-bodied, fruity flavor of the wine. As the chill of the evening approaches, you effortlessly throw on an MR Halpern LA cashmere cardigan. Your eye-line can’t help but be captured by the view - the luscious hills of a picturesque Bordeaux vineyard.
Photo by Ales Me from Unsplash
AN IMMERSIVE WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE
As social distancing continues in many countries worldwide, this vision may not be able to become your reality, yet. Wine tasting is without a doubt a fully-immersive sensorial experience. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy uncorking a bottle of wine (or four) from the comfort of your couch while learning something new.
Winemakers have leaned into the times and are now offering immersive wine tasting experiences - virtually.
YOUR VERY OWN WINE TASTING JOURNEY
AN IMMERSIVE WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE
As social distancing continues in many countries worldwide, this vision may not be able to become your reality, yet. Wine tasting is without a doubt a fully-immersive sensorial experience. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy uncorking a bottle of wine (or four) from the comfort of your couch while learning something new.
Winemakers have leaned into the times and are now offering immersive wine tasting experiences - virtually
YOUR VERY OWN WINE TASTING JOURNEY
Hop on to a Zoom meeting with friends or family for a personally curated, private wine tasting session, or perhaps join those like-minded in a more generalized group session, and let the enologist and winery whisk you away on your very own wine-tasting journey.
Hop on to a Zoom meeting with friends or family for a personally curated, private wine tasting session, or perhaps join those like-minded in a more generalized group session, and let the enologist and winery whisk you away on your very own wine-tasting journey.
During the experience, the vintner (winemaker) will delve into a detailed account of the vinification process and the vineyard’s history. You’ll discover a plethora of tips - such as how to store and decant your favorite wine, how to pick up subtle aromas, which vintage is most suited for each pallet, and perhaps some tidbits on food pairing recommendations for your next gastronomical adventure - did you know that Bordeaux wine is best paired with Black Pepper Steak or Manchego cheese?
Photo by Nick co uk from Unsplash
During the experience, the vintner (winemaker) will delve into a detailed account of the vinification process and the vineyard’s history. You’ll discover a plethora of tips - such as how to store and decant your favorite wine, how to pick up subtle aromas, which vintage is most suited for each pallet, and perhaps some tidbits on food pairing recommendations for your next gastronomical adventure - did you know that Bordeaux wine is best paired with Black Pepper Steak or Manchego cheese?
Photo by Nick co uk from Unsplash
A TRULY UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
And, even if the learning aspect doesn’t quite tickle your fancy, there really is no better excuse to open multiple bottles of wine at the same time…
A TRULY UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
And, even if the learning aspect doesn’t quite tickle your fancy, there really is no better excuse to open multiple bottles of wine at the same time…
Depending on the vineyard, you may have the option to choose the wines that you would like to sample during the experience, while others could recommend bottles to purchase ahead of time. Some even have curated selections of wines delivered straight to your door, paired with their complimenting food choices. The truly unique experiences offer you the chance to choose your favorite food and wine combinations - and order both beforehand - for a night-in like no other.
Virtual experiences are extending past the realms of viniculture and sampling wines from the world’s finest vineyards. If you are not sure what to do with the remnants of your open bottles of tasting wines, consider polishing them off to one of these virtual experiences.
Photo by Taras Yaluzhnyi from Unsplash
VIRTUAL GAME DRIVES
South African safari lodges are offering virtual game drives, allowing you the opportunity to experience an authentic bushveld adventure simply by swopping the seats of a 4x4 vehicle with your sofa. This allows you to enjoy only the best that the savannahs have to offer - while skipping on the excessively long flights, the jolt of the dusty 4x4, the blistering heat, and irritating mosquito bites. Watching a pride of lions in the thrill of a kill, or a heard of wild elephants lolloping at the watering hole from the safety of your air-conditioned suite - what more could you ask for?
Photo by redcharlie from Unsplash
If wildlife isn’t your thing, Airbnb hosts a wide array of unique online experiences. From cooking with Michelin star chefs to motivational coaching sessions with Olympians, there are experiences tailored to suit everyone.
And for the fashion world, digital fashion weeks are becoming commonplace. Digital Couture Week* was just held on the Fédération de la haute couture website and played host to a whole new realm of the fashion world. Having been locked down in New York, far away from the ateliers, since March, a video from Schiaparelli showcased creative director, Daniel Roseberry’s imaginary collection exclusively on paper (which is rumored to be produced later in the year.) Yuima Nakazato asked 25 acquaintances to send him their favorite white shirts, which he reworked into one-of-a-kind creations after individual Facetime calls with each one of them. The result was a soulful long-distance dialogue, a connection through a beloved object, presented with a short movie that touched a chord with an exhilarating paucity of means.
If wildlife isn’t your thing, Airbnb hosts a wide array of unique online experiences. From cooking with Michelin star chefs to motivational coaching sessions with Olympians, there are experiences tailored to suit everyone.
And for the fashion world, digital fashion weeks are becoming commonplace. Digital Couture Week* was just held on the Fédération de la haute couture website and played host to a whole new realm of the fashion world. Having been locked down in New York, far away from the ateliers, since March, a video from Schiaparelli showcased creative director, Daniel Roseberry’s imaginary collection exclusively on paper (which is rumored to be produced later in the year.)
Casper Kofi/Courtesy of Viktor & Rolf
Yuima Nakazatoasked 25 acquaintances to send him their favorite white shirts, which he reworked into one-of-a-kind creations after individual Facetime calls with each one of them. The result was a soulful long-distance dialogue, a connection through a beloved object, presented with a short movie that touched a chord with an exhilarating paucity of means. An alternative addition came fromViktor & Rolf. A nine-silhouette collection, inspired by feelings of anxiety, confusion and love, and revolving around shapes such as the camisole, the robe, and the coat dealt with social distancing and confinement themes, with that dry sense of humor Viktor & Rolf master like no other.
Casper Kofi/Courtesy of Viktor & Rolf
An alternative addition came fromViktor & Rolf. A nine-silhouette collection, inspired by feelings of anxiety, confusion and love, and revolving around shapes such as the camisole, the robe, and the coat dealt with social distancing and confinement themes, with that dry sense of humor Viktor & Rolf master like no other.
While you may miss out on the physicality of touring a wine cellar, going on safari or hitting up fashion week - settling in at home and letting a winemaker transport you to the hills of a Bordeaux vineyard is an experience not to be missed. While everyone adapts to change at different paces, it is increasingly important to realize that as a collective, we are perched on the frontier of the infinite expanse of digital experiences. Embrace this change, and thoroughly enjoy it while it’s here for now - we are making history after all!
*this article has been updated to include events that have occurred since the date of publishing
