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exploring taste—santa margherita gruppo vinicolo people —bruce sanderson

“As editors, we’re always looking for new trends to write about and consumers are always
looking for new wines to enjoy. My experience has shown there are many ways to make great wine;
some producers are always searching and others stick to a tried and true philosophy. Both are valid.”

2016—40 Years in Wine 2016—How to Enjoy Wine 2015—Fish & Wine 2015—Anthony Bourdain

2014—Sicily’s Star Rises 2014—After Dinner 2013—The Flavors of Italy 2008—Great American Pizza

2007—Rosé 2006—Dining Guide 2005—How to Taste Wine 2002—A Wine Lover’s
Guide to Cheese are valid. After all, if everyone made wine the same way, it moments in your professional career and within your per-
would be pretty boring for wine lovers around the world. sonal relationship with wine?
I was interested in wine and worked 3 years part-time in the
In Italy, we are witnessing an increasing attention to tradi- business before joining Wine Spectator in 1993. Having access
tion, especially concerning the indigenous varieties. How is to the trade tastings during those 3 years accelerated my edu-
this change perceived in the US market? cation in wine exponentially. However, working as a journalist
The wealth of indigenous grape varieties available is Italy’s and critic offers a very special access to the world of wine and
strength. With the current viticulture and vinification, what in the interesting people who are part of it.
the past was considered a limit today translates into a extraor-
dinary array of regional wines. I think this productive panora- Does a wine really change according to where it is tasted?
2001—The top 100 2000—Searching for the Best 1998—Wine Of The Year 1998—Inside the
Merlot Phenomenon ma is well received by U.S. consumers, especially millennials, a Being in a winery leads us to perceive wines as ‘more au-
generation in search of unique, authentic wines that tell a story. thentic’, doesn’t it?
It’s true that travel affects wine, at least in the short-term, al-
What were the most relevant changes in the contemporary though I wouldn’t say for better or for worse. I don’t think the
wine industry, starting from the ’90s? perception is necessarily more “authentic,” but I do think it’s
The Internet has been a big game changer. Plus the fact that it is easy to get wrapped up in the moment, whether you are visit-
truly a global industry today, whereas before 1990, Russia was ing a winery or on vacation and enjoying the local wines. That’s
not a market and Asia was not an important market. why our official reviews are from tastings conducted under
controlled situations, almost entirely in our offices in New York
As an editor and wine lover, what were the life changing or Napa. It’s important to be consistent.
1997—America’s 10 1996—Year Book 1996—Great 1994—Great Bargains
Best Italian Restaurants American Cellars

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