The Next Big Thing
Written By: Kasey Carpenter on Thu, Nov 8th 2007
Where do we go to find the next big thing in wine? How does one identify an up and comer versus another dog in the pack?
I get asked this question so often it prompts me to write this article.
The rules that govern investment dynamics are pretty much the same when it comes to finding the next great wine. As my day to day job of brokering wines ebbs and flows, I am constantly on the lookout for that gem, that wine that will make it, and therefore keep the lights on and my daughter's growing passion for weirder and weirder cheeses well nourished.
First off, at what point in the process do you wish to become involved? Do want the proverbial ground floor opportunity? Are you happy with being one of those second round investors who get smaller servings of the pie? Or do you want to be the one people know as "the guy who discovered that wine?"
Figuring that out and proceeding is the first and probably the most important. The VC (Venture Capital) guys who want silly returns generally have to take silly risks, and invest to a silly degree. But they aren't idiots, so they know what to look for. Those who are happier with returns just above ye olde mutual fund, well, their risk is commensurate with their reward, and they tend to sleep a little better at night than your Pepto-slamming fourth-marriage VC guys.
With wine, there are many ways. You can peruse a magazine and then realize, relative to your friends or restaurants, that you have in fact "discovered" a great wine in an article, and go from there. This is like Columbus discovering America, to be greeted by inhabitants who have been there for God knows how long. Nothing was really discovered per se, but relative to his Queen, Columbus was quite man.
There's always the advice of a trusted friend, you now the guy who loves Malbec (even though you don't) and refuses to drink anything from France for political reasons. He may have a great palate, but what if you want to know about the world outside of Napa? Again, you may be limiting yourself to a rather narrow scope of influence.
Of course, you could be a bit more adventurous than just flipping through pages, and maybe get out to a trade show, or travel out to wine country and, dare to dream, get off the beaten path and see what lies beyond the horizon. Its doing that kind of legwork that will help you to find those wineries, those bottles, that could lead to some excellent dividends, but more importantly, maybe something better, maybe the satisfaction that comes from completing the hunt, from finding "the one" and then being able to share that experience with others.
Then who knows, maybe in time someone will be flipping the pages and reading about some wine you found. Just this week's food for thought.
Side Note: If you can find it, 1998 Fromm La Strada is ever so awesome right now. Even at this stage of it's life, decant it and watch it revive itself, and enjoy.
