Oliver Lemstra Bake is in no doubt about how an excellent Chardonnay should taste. This is not up for debate. But it's a different story when it comes to the rigid habits surrounding our drinking culture. Here Oliver likes to test the limits. On Instagram, you can see this winemaker drinking wine through a straw or even pouring it over his muesli. Of course, this is all done in jest, but the intended message is serious: "I think wine culture is too stuck in its ways. I want to shake things up!"
Oliver represents a new generation of wine drinkers. Smartphones and social media are slowly but surely changing the world of wine and our drinking habits: more and more people want to know who is behind a wine. The winemaker's personality and philosophy are seen as more important here than traditional characteristics such as location, established history and awards. The result should be a culture around wine that is less elitist: "Wine snobs miss out on the best experiences!" says Oliver, who advocates focussing more on what's in the glass and less on what's on the label. "After all, wine is for drinking!" says the young winemaker. His goal is to encourage newcomers in particular to make the most of their curiosity and just drink whatever they enjoy. "We are all different and there is something for everyone." So it is not surprising that this free-thinking winemaker has little time for critics' ratings or labels: "We don't need a stamp of approval from anyone to know that we're doing well." Nevertheless, it should be noted that we would give his floral, fruity Chardonnay very high marks.
