I'm currently busy preparing for the opening of my wine shop.
Working at a wine shop is the first time I've ever worked in retail. I guess doing something for the first time is always exciting, no matter how old you are.
However, when I think about it, it's like jumping into a world where the toughest people in the retail industry are crowded together and playing a game of musical chairs, and asking, "Are there any chairs left?", and to be honest, I get a bit nervous about whether it will be okay.
So right now I'm feeling hectic, excited and nervous .
I don't dislike the rush and excitement, but I'd like to reduce the anxiety of the excitement if possible.
That's right, excitement is something we feel when we don't understand something . So, if you understand more, you will naturally feel less excited. In other words, in my case, I don't yet know what the world I'm about to jump into is, so I just need to understand more. First of all, if I could understand "what exactly is shopping," I might be able to look for a chair calmly.
"Shopping", huh? I do it every day, but I wonder what kind of shopping I should aim for.
As I was thinking about this, I suddenly remembered what had happened at the counter the other day.
Last month (before the closure, the bar was open for shorter hours), a regular customer, a Japanese language teacher, said this over a glass of wine:
"Mr. Iwasu, you've worked in radio, run a wine bar, and now you're opening a wine shop? That's amazing."
"It's nothing special. I'm still a lousy radio and wine bar guy. Especially with the radio, the other day I spent three days writing a script and it got rejected. It's often disheartening."
"I see. How do you write those manuscripts?"
"I usually write it on the computer."
"I see. Then you should try writing it with a fountain pen."
"Huh? Why a fountain pen...? I've never thought about that."
"When I talk to you, I get the impression that you're a fairly intuitive person . I think that people like you find it easier to write down their thoughts in a notebook with a fountain pen than to type them into a computer using the romaji ."
Now that you mention it, that's certainly true. In my case, I find it harder to miss phrases that pop into my head when I write by hand. When I type on a computer, I write while organizing it , but when I write by hand, it's like I'm printing out what's in my head . I write down notes quickly in prose, and organize them later. That way, I often end up with more organized sentences.
Actually, a while ago, I always had a ballpoint pen and a notebook in my bag to organize my ideas. But it got too much of a hassle to carry a notebook around, so I went back to using my computer. Then, I hit a slump. Even when I was in a slump, I was glued to my computer, groaning and groaning.
I see. I prefer to organize my thoughts with a pen and notebook first, and then type them up on the computer. But wait, that makes sense, but why a fountain pen and not a ballpoint pen?
"Well, Iwasu-san, you're a sommelier, right? You use a good sommelier knife for your work, right? It's the same thing. If you're a paid writer, you should own at least one fountain pen. The more you use a fountain pen, the more it becomes yours. It's a tool that becomes close to you. It's the same with a sommelier knife, isn't it?"
...I was completely smitten.
The next day, I was at Maruzen. My Japanese teacher told me that if I wanted to buy a fountain pen, I should go to Maruzen. Because Maruzen was the first stationery store in Japan, and Natsume Soseki bought his fountain pen at Maruzen. If I wanted to be a writer, Maruzen was the only choice. Yes, I did.
Until recently, Maruzen Nagoya Main Store was where I taught the Maruzen Seminar (Maruzemi) wine seminars every month as a lecturer (it has since moved to Junkudo and is currently closed due to the coronavirus).
Even back then, I knew there was a fountain pen section. But I thought it was a place far removed from me. However, people's behavior can change drastically if there is a trigger. I had the Platinum Fountain Pen #3776 Century that the teacher recommended in my hand.
I ordered it with my name engraved on it, so I had to wait a month for it to actually arrive. It was a bit of a hassle, but it wasn't a bad thing.
Well, finally, my first fountain pen has arrived. I chose the color Burgundy , which is the color that anyone working in the wine industry would choose.
So, please, print out any random random thoughts that pop into my head in a notebook.
I wrote a little bit and it was very good. Oh, I wish I had gotten it sooner. It looks like we'll be together for a long time. I look forward to your work on brain printing.
This one.
I thought this was a good purchase.
This is the kind of shopping experience I want to aim for. It's not just "what to choose" that's important. Rather, it's "how to choose." I think a good purchase is one where you can be satisfied with the selection process.
You can enjoy the process of how to choose. And the choice you make will affect your life. It would be great if I could do something like that with wine. I wonder if it would be difficult to do on the Internet. But, as long as I don't waver in this feeling, I feel like I can move in the direction I'm aiming for .
I would be very happy if a customer could have a good shopping experience like I had. How wonderful it would be if the wine I recommend could create a small turning point in someone's life. That's why I feel nervous that I can't make half-hearted suggestions . I have to take responsibility and only recommend what I think is good. To do that, I still need to hone my eye. When I think about it, I get a little excited.
Ah, this is a different kind of excitement from being unprepared.
As a result, it looks like there will be two kinds of hectic, exciting, and thrilling going on.
Thank you, teacher.
This week's wine and snacks
Mahi SINGLE VINEYARD Twin Valleys CHARDONNEY 2016 Marlborough
Mahi Single Vineyard Twin Valleys Chardonnay 2016 Marlborough
It has become extremely difficult to travel abroad, but if I can go to New Zealand again, one of the wineries I would like to visit again is " Mahi ". The owner, Brian Bicknell , is very cheerful. Bright and friendly. However, he has an extremely calm attitude towards wine. I think his personality is reflected directly in the wine.
Fermented in barrels using wild yeast, aged in barrels, and grown on the lees. This Chardonnay is made using a special method that is irresistible in its deep flavor that lies beneath its freshness. Take a sip and smile. The lingering aftertaste that runs down your throat makes you smile. The taste is linked to Brian's smile .
The pairing was with the soft version of Gifu's specialty "Meiho Ham". Even with white wine, a wine with such a complex flavor is best paired with meat. The ham with its concentrated flavor and the wine with its concentrated flavor went perfectly together. I want to send this ham to Brian too.
