Imagine walking into a cozy room in New York filled with the aromas of various wines. Here I met Molly Chen, a young, passionate wine connoisseur whose journey began with a wine tasting and has made her an expert today. However, the encounter took place virtually. We spoke via WhatsApp and email. In this interview, Molly takes you into the fascinating world of wine, shares her secrets and shows why wine is more than just a drink. Let her enthusiasm infect you and discover how you too can develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for wine. (By the way, here is her wine article: Wine tasting at the age of 19: The beginning of my wine journey)

17 Minutes

A look into the world of wine with Molly Chen
Molly Chen on Instagram and her wine store

A look into the world of wine with Molly Chen

Molly, you live in New York, USA. How did you become a wine connoisseur at such a young age and do you work in the wine industry?

An ordinary New Yorker named Molly attended a wine tasting on a cold winter night that changed the course of my life.

Molly Chen: "Hi everyone, I am a wine lover. I love to explore different regions of wine culture, so I know a little about wine culture. My goal is to put the charm of wine into words and help more people have a deeper understanding of the wine world. I look forward to sharing my unique insights and experiences with you at wine tastings and exploring the endless possibilities of wine together."

I am a young professional woman with a busy work schedule and a hectic life. Although I had some interest in wine, I never considered it a part of my life. Until one day I was invited to a wine tasting by a friend.

When I entered the tasting room, I was surrounded by a unique atmosphere. I saw people coming together, enthusiastically tasting different types of wine and talking about taste, aroma and origin. It was at this event that I first acquired a taste for wine and became curious about this area.

The photos of the wine bottles in this interview come from a private wine cellar.

Over time, I began to spend more time and effort learning about wine. I attended various tasting courses and events and read a lot of books and magazines about wine. I also made contacts with some people in the industry to ask them for advice and learn from them.

I found that my sense of taste and smell gradually sharpened and I was able to judge the quality and characteristics of wines more accurately.

Eventually, I decided to invest in a wine shop with a friend and open my own wine tasting studio.

What was the decisive moment when you fell in love with the world of wine?

The decisive moment for my love of the world of wine was when I attended my first wine tasting. At this event, I was fascinated by the complexity and diversity of wine. I saw people passionately discussing the taste, aroma and origin of the wines, which piqued my curiosity about the field. From that moment on, I was determined to learn more about wine and eventually make it my profession.

I am a young professional woman with a busy work schedule and a hectic life. Although I had some interest in wine, I never considered it a part of my life. Until one day I was invited to a wine tasting by a friend.

What are the biggest misconceptions people have about wine and how do you deal with these misconceptions?

One of the biggest misconceptions about wine is probably that only expensive wines are of high quality. This misconception leads to a one-sided understanding of the quality and value of wine. In fact, the value of a wine depends not only on the price, but is also influenced by a variety of factors such as grape variety, place of origin and winemaking process.

One way to counteract this misconception is therefore to make people aware of the diversity and accessibility of quality wines through educational and tasting events, so that they understand that price is not the only criterion for judging whether a bottle of wine is good or bad.

Can you give us an insight into how you conduct a wine tasting and what you pay particular attention to?

When tasting wine, I initially focus on appearance, smell, taste and finish. These elements can provide me with a wealth of information that helps me to assess the quality and characteristics of a wine.

The appearance: I pay attention to the color, clarity and consistency of the wine. The color tells me the age and variety of the wine, while the clarity reflects the purity and quality of the wine.

Aroma: I perceive the aroma of the wine by gently shaking the glass and smelling the wine. The bouquet gives me information about the fruity, floral and spicy characteristics of the wine as well as any defects or ageing.

The palate: When tasting, I pay attention to the palate characteristics of the wine, including acidity, tannins, sweetness and body. These elements tell me about the balance, structure and taste experience of the wine.

The exit: The aftertaste of a wine is also important as it reflects the quality and complexity of the wine. A long, lingering finish is often a sign of a quality wine.

When tasting, I pay particular attention to the balance and complexity of the wine. A quality wine should have a good balance of acidity, tannins, sweetness and body, without one element being too prominent or missing.

I also like to look for nuances and layers in a wine and explore the complexity and diversity within it. This attention to detail allows me to better understand and appreciate the uniqueness of each wine.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to expand their knowledge of wines?

Attend tasting events and courses: Attending wine tastings and courses is one of the most direct ways to expand your knowledge. These events are usually organized by professional sommeliers or wineries and can introduce you to different types of wine and teach you tasting techniques and knowledge.

"Enjoy the time you have." Despite her hectic everyday life, Molly Chen knows how to enjoy her free time.

Read wine books and magazines: There are many excellent wine books and magazines that can help you learn more about the world of wine. These books cover everything from the basics to special tasting techniques.

Visit wine regions: If you have the opportunity, you should travel to a wine region to visit and taste it. Getting to know the region and culture first-hand will help you develop a deeper understanding of wine.

Talk to experts: Gain more insight and experience by talking to wine industry professionals. Attend industry events, join tasting clubs or follow specialist discussions on social media.

Keep an open mind: The world of wine is vast, and different people have different preferences and opinions about wine. By keeping an open mind and tasting a variety of different types and styles of wine, you can discover your own preferences and enrich your tasting experience.

How have your preferences developed over time and what has contributed to these changes?

Over time, my tastes have changed, largely due to the fact that I continue to try and explore different types and styles of wine and gain experience at wine tastings. These changes can be attributed to more sensitive senses, a broader tasting experience, awareness of personal preferences and an attitude of constant learning.

What are your favorite wine pairings, and is there a combination that works surprisingly well?

My favorite wine pairing depends on the occasion and the dish. But if I had to choose a classic combination, I would choose a red wine with a steak or grilled meat.

The beauty of this pairing is that the rich fat and charred crust of the steak or roast mirrors the bold tannins of the red wine, creating a rich, balanced flavor experience. I also like white wines with seafood or poultry dishes, which emphasize the freshness of the seafood or poultry and complement the acidity and fruitiness of the white wine.

I tried pairing a dry sparkling wine with spicy Asian dishes, such as Thai or Indian flavors, which worked surprisingly well. The combination worked surprisingly well, as the freshness and acidity of the sparkling wine balanced the spices and flavors of the dish, resulting in a pleasant taste experience.

How do you go about discovering new and interesting wines? What criteria are important to you?

Attending wine tastings and fairs is a great way to learn about new wines. At these events, wines from different regions and wineries are often offered for tasting, and you can discover new varieties and styles by tasting a wide range of wines.

Exploring new wine regions is also a great way to discover new wines. In addition to the traditional regions, you can also try some of the newer regions, which may produce surprising wines.

I focus on the quality of the wine in terms of taste, aroma and finish. Whether it is a traditional famous winery or a niche winery, I taste them all as long as they are of high quality and uniqueness.

I like to try unique wines, such as rare varieties, special winemaking techniques and non-traditional appellations. These wines often bring me new taste experiences and inspiration.

Sustainability in winemaking is also important to me. I tend to choose wineries that focus on conservation, social responsibility and health, and their products tend to be more appealing.

Molly Chen says: "Probably one of the biggest misconceptions about wine is that only expensive wines are of high quality. This misconception leads to a one-sided understanding of the quality and value of wine. In fact, the value of a wine depends not only on price, but is also influenced by a variety of factors such as grape variety, place of origin and winemaking process."

Can you give us an unexpected wine tip, something that most people don't know but should definitely try?

For example, you could try pairing your wine with exotic dried fruits, such as dried mango, plums or figs. The sweetness and flavor of these dried fruits can create an unexpected and wonderful combination with the fruity aroma and acidity of the wine.

Another tip is to pair unusual flavors or spices with your wine, such as unique Middle Eastern or Indian spices or aromatic herbs. The complexity and unique flavors of these spices can add new layers and dimensions to the wine, making the taste experience richer and more interesting.

What trends do you currently see in the wine scene and how do you think they will develop?

Sustainable and organic viticulture: Sustainable and organic viticulture is becoming an important trend as more and more consumers are concerned about environmental sustainability and health issues.

Many wineries are taking environmentally friendly measures such as reducing the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, promoting reuse and recycling and reducing carbon emissions. At the same time, the market for organic wine is growing as consumers are increasingly interested in natural and additive-free products.

Explore new wine regions: New wine regions are emerging as a result of climate change and technological advances, for example in China, India and Canada. These new regions can lead to new types and styles of wine and offer consumers more choice.

Digital marketing and sales: Digital marketing and sales are playing an increasingly important role in the wine industry. Many wineries and retailers are beginning to use social media, e-commerce platforms and data analytics to promote and sell their products while gaining a better understanding of consumer preferences and behavior.

Low-alcohol and non-alcoholic wines: The market for low-alcohol and non-alcoholic wines is growing rapidly as health awareness increases. These products are not only suitable for those who want to reduce their alcohol consumption, but also appeal to younger and health-conscious consumers.

Exciting wine tasting tours: Wine tasting tours have become an important part of the wine industry. More and more consumers are willing to spend time and money on winery tours, wine tastings and food pairings, creating new business opportunities for wineries and destinations.

How important is the ambience when enjoying wine and do you have any tips on how to create an ideal drinking environment?

Choose a quiet, pleasant environment for the wine tasting, away from noise and strong odors. A quiet cellar or professional tasting room is best, but if circumstances don't allow it, you can also hold the tasting in a quiet corner of your home.

Make sure that the environment in which you are tasting the wine is at the right temperature and humidity. The quality of the wine can be affected by the ambient temperature, and temperatures that are too high or too low can affect the accuracy and experience of the tasting. In general, the ideal temperature for white wines is 7-10 degrees Celsius, while the ideal temperature for red wines is 15-18 degrees Celsius.

The right lighting can help you to see the color and clarity of the wine, but should not be too bright or interfere with visual perception. It is best to choose soft lighting or candles to create a romantic atmosphere.

The wine tasting experience can be enhanced by using appropriate wine glasses and utensils. Different types of wine lend themselves to different shapes and sizes of glasses, and choosing the right utensils can bring out the aromas and flavors of the wine.

Play soft music or nature sounds to create a relaxed atmosphere. Avoid music that is too loud or stimulating, as it can impair concentration and perception of the wine.

What are the next big events or projects in your career as a wine connoisseur that you are particularly looking forward to?

I look forward to attending tastings at top châteaux, where I can try rare and hard-to-find wines and exchange ideas with other winemakers. I also look forward to auctions where you can find rare vintage wines.

I saw some very interesting photos about freediving on your second Instagram account. Do you do that too? I wonder if it can have an impact on your sensory perception when tasting wine, because it gives your lungs a good workout and maybe that has an influence?

Yes, I love diving and I've been to some wonderful places. Australia, Korea, Guam, Japan and many more. Physical activity and a healthy lifestyle can really affect your sensory perception when tasting wine.

A healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and a good diet can improve sensory sensitivity and the wine tasting experience. Activities such as free diving can improve lung function and physical fitness, which can lead to a greater focus on the nuances of taste and smell when tasting wine, but the exact effects may vary from person to person.

Molly, thank you very much for the interesting interview! I look forward to reading your posts about wine here on Zigarren.Zone from time to time.

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Molly Chen and a look into the world of wine

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