INTERPRETING WINE

A PHOTO CHALLENGE

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD TRANSLATION

Ronni Allen and I have been busy over the past few months. Together, we`ve been INTERPRETING WINE. The aim of this project was to highlight the importance of the use of words and their translation. These days, many people rely on AI because of its` apparent simplicity and speed, but are the results really as good as you think? As a translator I am bound to say no, and here`s why.

Marketing Content produced for the Food, Wine and Travel Sectors requires appealing, sensation-stimulating vocabulary, often including terms not all of us are familiar with. If targeting an international market, you`ll also need your content in the appropriate language. AI Tools can be of assistance at an analytical level, but they get stuck on specialised vocabulary and are not capable of expressing emotion. For this very reason, I have specialised in the field of wine translation. AI results are often quite amusing, but the lack of subject matter comprehension will lead to disastrous results.

Simple precise vocabulary is hence the core for accurate interpretation. Whether for the benefit of your consumer, the translator or your image-producing photographer. With absolutely no background in wine whatsoever, Ronni`s interpretation of just a few Key-Words has enabled her to produce convincing imagery. Mouthwatering and atmospheric.

Simple but explicit is hence the order of the day, so use your space wisely, particularly when wording your labels. These often contain a tasting note - whether just a crisp dry white or something more elaborate. Depending on your audience, Petrol on the nose sounds pretty dangerous to a smoker, Cat-Pee probably won`t sell Sauvignon Blanc to an inexperienced buyer, and not everyone associates wine enjoyment with wet flint, a forest floor or pencil shavings. Grammar mistakes are very common too and quite frankly, highly unprofessional, so be careful!

Fotocredit: AI ...following 8 attempts, AI finally got the jist of what I wanted, but as you can see, only the jist...

I`ve seen the effervescence of an otherwise beautiful portuguese sparkling, described in english as persistent thin sparkling rope (com bolha fina em cordão persistente) and De cor alourada, revela no nariz notas de frutos secos e mel translated to Auburn in colour; it reveals dried fruit and honey tasting notes on the nose.

Now rope isn`t something I`d want to chew through and you don`t TASTE honey on the nose, you SMELL it. Auburn might be a colour we are all familiar with, but it isn`t one used in professional wine descriptions.

I trust you get where I am coming from and will leave you with what AI has to say about the future of Translation: ... in many fields, human translation remains essential, due to both language complexity and specific terminology..

INTERPRETING WINE - A PHOTO CHALLENGE

IAMNOTWINE Germany

Fotocredit: IAMNOTWINE

CHALLENGE ONE

IAMNOTWINE and Germany`s first female-founded start-up for alcohol-free Premium- and Sparkling Wines received a commended in the 2024 World Alcohol-Free Awards. Franziska (pictured above) has four tasty cuvées on offer: Blanc Brilliant, Radiant Rosé, Secco Mousscade Blanc and her popular sparkling Rosé Berry Bubbles. All wines are available in two sizes: 0.75 l bottles, as well as the practical half-size. The IAMNOTWINE tasting set with its fresh and modern design, includes all four varieties, serves well as a gift and was the first product Ronni received in the post, together with my simplified tasting notes.

Blanc Brilliant Cuvee

0,75 l €13,90

Grape Varieties: Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Gelber Muskateller.

Nose:  green apple, grape, apple-blossom.

Palate: citrus fruit, green apple, elderflower, a hint of nutmeg and spice, fresh but mild acidity.

Pairs: almost certainly, with shellfish and other steamed fish dishes, also light salads.

Radiant Rose Cuvee

0,75 l €10,50

Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir, Portugieser.

Nose: subtle raspberry and strawberry

Palate: ripe red-fruits - red-currant and raspberry, mild acidity and a dry yet pleasant finish.

Pairs: with lightly grilled vegetable and meat dishes such as chicken, cured but not too spicy meat. Also, salty pickles or soft cheese.

Mousscade Cuvee Blanc  Secco

0,75 l €14,90

Grape Variety: Muskateller

Nose: floral, blossom, pear.

Palate: a light, sparkling, easy drinking white wine combines white peach, rose petal, a hint of pineapple and a touch of spice (Nutmeg & cinnamon).

Pairs: with good company, as an aperitif or with fruity Asian dishes and rice.

Berry Bubbles Rose Sekt

0,75 l €11,50

Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir, Portugieser.

Nose: ripe red fruits, raspberry, red currant.

Palate: an attractive salmon pink with raspberry and strawberry notes, soft tannins accompanied by a refreshing fizz. 

Pairs: well with Hors d'oeuvres, great as an aperitif or the base for an alcohol-free summer-fruit cocktail.

CHALLENGE TWO

HATTINGLEY VALLEY England

Fotocredit: Hattingley Valley

Hattingley Valley, tucked away between the North Essex Downs and the Hills of Surrey, lies in an area of natural English beauty and if you look hard enough, you'll find Chalky Hill. Quite unexpectedly, the area is also home to countless and exceptionally healthy-looking vineyards. The Hattingley Valley Estate has established itself as one of the UK’s most successful wineries, won over 130+ medals, 14 trophies, and Best in Class for in particular, its English sparkling wines. And just for the record: I didn`t detect even a hint of rope ;-)

Classic Reserve Brut NV 2017 English Sparkling Wine 

0,75 l £37.00 GB

Grape Varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier.

Nose: golden yellow citrus and orange, yeasty toast aromas.

Palate: fine lingering perlage, a touch of exotic papaya, lemon zest, freshly baked bread/croissant, apple. Mature, a complex sparkling with aging potential.

Pairs: with party canapés, breakfast in bed and all other occasions.  

CHALLENGE THREE

ASTUTA XXO Portugal

ASTUTA XXO Portugal

Frasqueira Extra Velha 40 % ABV

0,75 l €225,00

This really was a challenge, as although delicate, the flavour profile of Rudolfo Horta Soares` ASTUTA was one achieved via the Art of Master-Blending, hence extremely complex. 40-years of maturation in a variety of casks - size- and woodwise - lends complexity to this fascinating XXO blend. Portuguese and French oak, also chestnut and mahogany enhance the intricate flavours and used Madeira, Port and Muscatel wine barrels have softened the tannins. The rare method of aging includes a further 9 years maturation in dark glass Demi-Johns, requiring patience and experience. Fine - tuned unique elegance the result.

This XXO called for more detailed tasting-notes, also razor-sharp and atmospheric interpretation. On this occasion, a professional and accurate translation of utmost importance.

AGUARDENTE VINICA VELHISSIMA

Complex, aromatic, extremely smooth, a delicate 40-year-old Master-Blend, aged in a variety of wooden casks (as described above).

In the glass, beautiful mahogany with greenish hues, typical for an aged brandy of this calibre.

Grape Varieties: Field-Blend, hand selected grapes, ancient 90-year-old vines including: (red) Baga, Castelão Nacional, Bastardo, Moreto, Tinta Pinheira, also Bical and Alvarinho (white).

Nose: A Potpourri of tobacco, roasted coffee beans, the scent of baking biscuits, ripe dark fruits - black cherry, plum.

Palate: as above, enhanced with mixed-spice, dried fruit, orange peel, raisins, toasted hazelnuts, walnut, slightly balsamic, camphor, sandalwood, honey, liquorice and dark chocolate. Fruity, subtle sweetness, soft tannins, velvety-bodied finish in harmony with slight dry astringency. Still fresh, plenty of aging-potential.

Ideal for:  special occasions, enjoyed in company or in reflective solitude.

FOURTH CHALLENGE

QUINTA DA LIXA Portugal

Fotocredit: Gail Treuer

Quinta da Lixa is a family-owned winery founded in 1986. In the day, the Meireles vineyards were sited around the small town of Lixa, but today, they work some 120 hectares. Their vineyards are spread among 9 properties including Quinta da Lixa, Quinta da Corredoura, Quinta do Souto, Quinta Nova, Quinta de Sanguinhedo – the Monverde Wine Hotel and Quinta dos Lagareiros. All premises are in close vicinity to the Quinta da Lixa Estate. The Meireles family is now well known for its dedication to the production of sparkling wines in the Vinho Verde region of Portugal.

o Tal da Lixa extra dry, Sparkling

0,75 l   €5,49

Grape varieties:  Avesso, Arinto.

Nose: citrus, pear.

Palate: high acidity, well-balanced with a relatively high % of residual sugar. Fruity, a beautiful golden yellow, with pear, peach, lemon zest and lively long-lasting effervescence.

Pairs: an allrounder, as an aperitif, perfect for oily fish dishes, smoked salmon and soft cheese. Also, fruity deserts and pastries.

Aromas das Castas 2023

0,75 l €4,65

Grape varieties: Alvarinho, Loureiro.

Nose: lemon, stone fruits - peach, orange blossom, wild mint.

Palate: a dry white with salty minerality, sharp acidity, white peach, floral, herby laurel, – mint, a touch of black pepper.

Pairs: well with baked camembert and cranberries, cordon bleu, smooth mild curry with cashew nuts.

Pouco Comum 2023

0,75 l €5,89

Grape Variety: Alvarinho.

Nose: floral, citrus fruits, exotic ripe passion fruit.

Palate: sharp acidity, citrus, pineapple, passion fruit, a lingering finish.

Pairs: with poached fish in a creamy sauce, grilled vegetables, goats cheese and figs drizzled with a sweetish dressing.

Alvarinho Reserva 2019

0,75 l €13,50

Grape Variety: Alvarinho.

Nose: secondary aromas of buttered toast in foreground, yet fresh Lemon zest and slightly floral.

Palate: a complex dry white with salty minerality, citrus, peach, ripe apple, predominant tannins (due to skin contact), yeasty (battonage), butter, joghurt (malolactic fermentation).

Pairs: well with oily fish dishes - mackerel, Beef Stroganoff on rice, Stilton or Roquefort with figgy mustard/chutney, tomato-salad with mild vinaigrette dressing.

CHALLENGE FIVE 

WEINGUT UND SEKTGUT GÄNZ Germany

Fotocredit: Gail Treuer

Weingut und Sektgut Dr. Gänz is situated in a small village in the middle of the Nahe-wine-growing Region of Germany, an area well known for its mild climate, geological diversity, and some great Burgundy wines. Regionally, the Gänz Family are Sparkling Wine Pioneers, being the first vintners of the area to produce sparkling wine on their own premises and having invested in the necessary equipment some years ago.

WÜRZER SPÄTLESE

0,75 l €8,40

Grape Variety: Würzer.

Nose: Passion fruit, mango, spice.

Palate: pleasant acidity, balanced with just enough residual sugar (late harvest), exotic fruits – mango, papaya, passion fruit, a touch of pineapple and hint of all-spice.

Pairs:  with salty cheese – Stilton, Roquefort, Liver pâté and buttery toast.

Perfect base for a homemade sorbet or served well chilled with something sweet.

PINOT BLANC DE NOIR BRUT

0,75 l €21,00

Grape Variety: Pinot Noir.

Nose: red cherry, elderflower. 

Palate: moreish and fruity, red-currant, raspberry, a hint of blackberry and black pepper, animating perlage, yet not too dry.

Pairs: well as the perfect Entrée, an uncomplicated allrounder and everybody`s darling.

And last CHALLENGE but not least…

WEINGUT GENHEIMER KILTZ Germany

Love it or leave it, Sauvignon Blanc is a variety grown worldwide, but to which not all Vintners do justice. The talented and experienced Kiltz Family however, are German Masters when it comes to this difficult little character. Situated in the Nahe-Winegrowing Region of Germany and with years of collective knowledge up their sleeves, GK produce wines of consistency, exceptionally high-quality and their undoubtedly recognisable signature is one treasured worldwide. The winery`s Flagship is Sauvignon Blanc but their talents don`t end there. They boast an extensive Portfolio of German Classics like Riesling and Pinot Noir, but also some lesser known ancient Grape Varieties; Adelfränkisch, Gelbe Kleinberger and Grünfränkisch.

Felseneck Sauvignon Blanc Beste Lagen trocken 2023

0,75 l €17,50

Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc.

Nose: ripe yellow kiwi, green pepper. Pineapple.

Plate: tropical ripe kiwi, pineapple, animating acidity, yet not sharp. Aging potential. 

Pairs: with roast chicken, grilled vegetables, asparagus and hollandaise.

Vintage Grüner Adelfränkisch 2023

0,75 l €14,00

Grape Variety: Grüner Adelfränkisch. Once thought extinct.

Nose: lightly perfumed acacia, citrus fruits – orange, lemon zest.

Palate: a full-bodied white of complexity with a lingering finish. Orange, lemon, a hint of ripe fig. Relatively high acidity, well-balanced with fruit-sugar level.

Pairs: well with crispy duck and goose, braised red cabbage, also fruity Asian dishes and mild curry.

Presuming your taste-buds are now well and truly tickled, we invite you to get in touch should you too, be interested in some marketing support.

From accurate translations to Spot-On Imagery, we look forward to hearing from you.

For more information about Gail, please click here, and to view more of Ronni`s fantastic work, here.

We look forward to your feedback.

Gail & Ronni

Fotocredit: Ronni Allen Food Photography