As Nagoya City has once again issued priority measures to prevent the spread of infection, Bokumo has chosen to close (scheduled to close until August 31st).
We are also back to spending more time at home.
I work writing scripts for radio shows, and sometimes I'm holed up in my workroom all day, but usually I'm not able to write very well during those times.
I think that's because there aren't many stimuli at home that activate the brain.
Once outside, your senses of sight, smell, touch, and more are stimulated in abundance.
In an attempt to receive this stimulation, the entire body, including the brain, enters active mode.
I think that's why ideas often come to me suddenly when I'm walking, breathing in the air, and watching the people.
A little while ago, when I was researching Tadanori Yokoo for this radio project, I came across something that really surprised me.
When he was a child, Tadanori Yokoo wanted to be a painter.
However, he chose to become a graphic designer.
When I was 45, I went to New York to unwind.
I was blown away by the Picasso exhibition I saw there.
I should paint! I thought to myself, so I picked up a paintbrush and started painting.
One trip to New York changed my life forever.
First of all, it gives me courage to know that even a 45-year-old man can change his life (I am 45 now).
When he said that seeing Picasso in New York was a turning point in his life, I found myself nodding deeply in agreement.
Before Bokumo opened, the chef and I had been to New York, and I remember feeling really energized at the time.
We walked from morning to night, ate out four meals a day, took notes, and talked about what we liked about each restaurant.
I think that the unique excitement that you can only find in New York was what motivated us to set out to "create a one-of-a-kind store in Nagoya."
When you go outside, you are bombarded with stimuli. Your brain works hard to absorb them.
I think that's how it is.
Next, of course, I'll go to New Zealand. I want to visit a lot of wineries and restaurants.
I want to receive a strong stimulus.
That's right, until before COVID, a New Zealand wine event was held in Tokyo every year.
This event was also a big inspiration for me.
A few years ago, I met a woman called Shigeno, who is from Aichi Prefecture and currently lives in New Zealand, at the venue.
He is the person who started a service that allows people to have weddings in the great outdoors of New Zealand.
▶ Aumarire | New Zealand Weddings & Vacations
It's rare to find someone from Nagoya, so we hit it off at the venue and later held an event together to talk about the attractions of NZ.
Shigeno introduced me to Shu Ito, a photographer and traveler who had previously lived in New Zealand and is now back in Japan.
The walls of Bokumo are decorated with photos that Shu took in New Zealand.
It acts like a "window" to the underground Bokumo, which is really nice.
This time, as a special bonus for those who repeat order wine from Bokumo Wine, we have decided to include a postcard of a photo that Shu took in New Zealand.
It looks like this.
Looking at Shu's photos, I reflected on our relationship and was overcome with gratitude.
After all, when you go out, you meet people wherever you go.
When you meet someone, your life can change a little, or it can change a lot.
Once the coronavirus pandemic is over, I would like to dive back into the exciting world of entertainment.
This week's wine and snacks
Mahi SINGLE VINEYARD TWIN VALLEYS CHARDONNAY 2016 MARLBOROUGH
Mahi Single Vineyard Twin Valleys Chardonnay 2016 Marlborough
New Zealand is not a country that produces a lot of Chardonnay .
New Zealand's Chardonnay is overshadowed by the country's signature wine, Sauvignon Blanc, and is not commonly found in Japanese shops.
However, if you look, you can find good quality Chardonnay.
Mahi is a winery known for the excellence of its Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, but what's more, its Chardonnay is also of extremely high quality.
The acidity is medium. It has a wonderful taste that harmonizes the mellow fruitiness like quince with the flavors from the barrel like almond and vanilla.
The complex flavor created by the indigenous yeast is irresistible. The aftertaste is also very long. I think this wine is a perfect example of a rich New World Chardonnay.
This wine is not yet sold at Bokumo Wine, but you can buy a slightly cheaper version of Chardonnay at Bokumo Wine . I think that it is also more delicious than its price suggests.
I thought that a white wine this powerful would go well with chicken or pork, so I made sauteed chicken this time.
The delicious flavor of the meat is combined with the acidity and savory taste of the wine.
It was a perfect moment when the pairing rule I always preach, "wine should be the final sauce poured over the dish," worked perfectly.
