Last weekend, the wine event "ZIP-FM SAKURA WINE FESTIVAL" was held at Tsuruma Park, where we set up a booth for New Zealand wine.
It was pouring rain on Friday morning when the wine was delivered, but the actual event on Saturday and Sunday was sunny and a great success.
The total number of participants over the two days was 4,300. I think it was one of the largest wine events in Nagoya.
Of the seven types of New Zealand wine I brought, the most popular was a sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, followed by a slightly sweet Riesling.
When you're outdoors, fruity and familiar flavors tend to be preferred.
Some customers kept coming back, saying "It was so delicious, can I have another serving?", and some even managed to try all seven varieties.
I think we were able to fairly clearly showcase the appeal of New Zealand wine.
I was worried about my physical strength, but I managed to hold on even though I had to carry and pour a lot of wine. By the time we finished packing up, I was just the right amount of tired for someone who doesn't get enough exercise.
Then I drove the equipment to Bokumo and returned home.
For some reason, I felt like I couldn't just go to sleep, so I went alone to a nearby yakitori restaurant.
The bustling counter seats were comfortable, and I took a break while eating some nicely charred grilled green onions and chicken breast. Then I reflected on the past two days.
Someone called out to me, "Oh, this booth is run by Bokumo. I've been to the store before." I was so happy.
Some people even made a reservation right away, saying, "I'll come to the store next week!" We are very grateful for that.
A regular customer said, "I came here to drink wine." I felt relieved.
A former staff member came to visit us, saying, "I had business in Nagoya."
The chef handed me a rice ball and said, "Thank you for your hard work!"
The people at ZIP-FM were concerned about me and asked, "How is it? Is it selling?"
Someone who has been helping me out for a long time and who always commented on my blog by saying, "Your blogs are always so long."
Tada-chan, a fellow director, poured wine at the same booth as me.
And the Bokumo staff who helped out. And everyone involved in the operation.
I remembered all the different faces and realized that it was an event where I could feel connected with so many people all at once.
My life is always a tightrope walk, and I often feel like I'm about to fall off.
But I feel like this sense of connection has somehow strengthened my core, which has always been shaky.
The kind gazes of those I'm connected to help me stand tall. That's why, even if I stumble, I'm able to somehow get back on the rope.
It means that the two versions of myself - the one I was working as a radio director until my early 30s, and the one I am now, working in the wine industry - are connected across time.
It was a thin and unreliable rope, but there was definitely a path there.
And with the support of so many people I've come into contact with, I've been able to walk this somewhat unusual path.
As I thought about this and ate some pickled cucumbers and cold tofu, I felt my festival high gradually cool down.
