The Wine of the Young

 I am not going to talk about the consumption of wine in young people and their relation with the beverage of Bacchus, alcohol and the social consequences of this behavior, in particular when it is about deplorable abuse and excess. I am going to talk about those young who have with wine a very different relation with wine, those who do not simply appreciate it in a glass - with a better and conscious respect - and, in particular, they took it from the vineyard to the bottle. I am going to talk about young wine producers. In the past recent years, more and more young people are committed to agriculture, not only because they have a passion for it, but also because they have to. In these times, not really good even for those who have the good will of doing, young people, as they are not successful in getting a job in the industry or tertiary sector, are getting a job in agriculture. Instead of working for just few months per year - with quite low wages and certainly not enough to ensure a decent lifestyle - young people start a farm business and make the decision of taking their fruits from the land.

 Of course it is about very hard work, away from the easiness of office's chairs, however giving the benefit of being free in the middle of nature and getting satisfaction from one's own efforts. However, it is not about the very hard work of farmers of the past, some tens of years ago: today technology and progress, luckily, make this job easier. New farmers and vintners have a different approach than the ones of the past: they study, work with a better consciousness, without forgetting the experience of those who preceded them. They consider tradition but with the awareness technology and progress offer a benefit to this job. On this regard, we should notice what we consider today as “tradition” was just a successful innovation of the past. This means it is always good to consider the past, however it is important as well to look ahead to the future and let the evolution progress. After all, in case man would have been faithful to the tradition of the past without considering the future, human beings would still be living the paleolithic era.

 There also are young people who make the decision of continuing the job of their fathers, which was sometimes the one of their grandfathers and great-grandfathers as well. Indeed, they carry it on by adding their “young” knowledge and vision, sometimes introducing modern technologies, without forgetting about the history of their families. As opposed to past generations, young people have the chance to study and graduate in matters related to agriculture and viticulture, they bring their “new knowledge” to the knowledge of their fathers. Their contribution does not however deny the family style, at least in general terms. Indeed, most of the times their job can be compared to that of their fathers, sometimes even better. We should be very happy for this - or, at least, I am - by praising their good will and commitment, as well as for perpetuating a priceless heritage to future generations. After all, this exactly was what their fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers and ancestors did.

 In recent years, when I happen to visit wineries or attend to wine fairs, I see more and more sons and daughters of producers working with their parents in vineyards and wineries. They are introduced, and with a lot of understandable pride, as the natural evolution of the family story looking ahead to the future. For parents, with no doubt, there is the satisfaction of knowing the effort of their job and of those who preceded them can go on, hopefully improved by new ideas and talents. They teach their children, in a sense, by holding their hands and by making them aware of the family style, knowing that - sooner or later - they will be the ones who will keep and perpetuate the knowledge of their fathers. It is not about a simple and natural law, indeed it is a necessary choice of evolution as new generations better understand what modern times are demanding, as they are sons and daughters of a new era. What they do is to adapt and perpetuate the job of their fathers to the future, by exactly doing what has been done by those who preceded them.

 The wines they make follow, in general terms, the family style, to which is added, something easily understandable, part of their character, by working side by side with their parents who usually play the important role of “guide”. In certain cases the revolutionary ideas they introduce to the family style are such that they completely change the sense of a story, it seems they want to break the bond with the past, it seems like it is a burden to carry on and to get rid of. I admit it is sometimes hard for me to understand their “revolutions” and, although it can be praised because of their will, I am puzzled about the result, most of the times following a fad instead of a concrete wine making knowledge. I am used to say all the time, what I do not understand does not mean it is wrong, it simply is something not meeting my taste or vision about wine. It can also be they are right - and this can of course be case - and their vision about wine is more evolved than mine.

 I admit it sometimes seems to me sensational backward steps to the wine model that, when I started working on the beverage of Bacchus, were considered as coarse wine making models everyone wanted to get rid of. The most important thing, however and no matter what I think or appreciate, is that young people - and they are many - are interested in making wine. No matter the reason or model they passionately follow with strong determination, the most important thing is they do that. Another highly appreciated thing, is the rebirth of a new conscience about the respect for the environment and sustainability. In a world which seems to get smaller and smaller, however needing to ensure a place for everyone - as everyone has the same dignity and right - this is a praiseworthy challenge for young farmers and viticulturists. Good job boys: I wish myself and yourselves your passion may always drive your ideas and carry them on to a successful end. A revolution can also be started from a glass of wine, even in case I do not understand it. On the contrary, you probably understand it and this is what really counts.