Virtuosity. A great ability or skill shown by a performer.

Humbleness seems an unknown phenomenon for this guy you might think, so let’s sort this out right away. I’ve gathered a lot of vinous knowledge during the last 20 years. But more important; I’ve learned that the more I dig into the world of wine the more I unfold – and that has resulted in the insight of knowing just how little I actually do know. So me, a wine virtuoso? Ha, don’t think so, but it doesn’t stop me from having the ambition to discover new regions, grapes, producers and wines. I’m simply a wine virtuoso apprentice. And oh yes, I kinda like the name, Wine Virtuosity.

My name is Niklas Jorgensen. I’m a wine geek and have been so for 20 years now. Stockholm and Sweden is my base where I live and work. Two kids. One wife. I haven’t quit my day job yet, to fully enjoy the huge piles of money this writing thingie generates, but I’m considering it. My day job’s in the internet sector, in the top level domain business, but a substantial part of my working career has also been within the wine trade. Over the years I’ve also conducted more than a 100+ tastings, for all kinds of customers (well not all kinds, but you get the idea).

Who’s Roman now, huh? At Ponte de Lima, Minho, Portugal.

Swede. Dane. European. World citizen. Wine is global and that is why I write in English. To reach fellow geeks. Until now it has been very rewarding and has given me many new friends, especially in my beloved Portugal…

Prejudice, what’s it good for? I strive for open-mindedness when it comes to wine. A wine should be judged by its quality, not origin. What I enjoy the most, besides tasting the wine at the producer, is to sit down at home and give the wine the time it deserves. Follow it for a couple of days. A quick tasting note at a fair is nothing but a quick tasting note. That kind of reports I don’t think gives anything useful back. He who tastes the most doesn’t win in my world. Wine is passion. Let’s keep it that way! Besides, someone has struggled to make the wine you’re having and that is worth more than a quick 87 points – it is worth some respect. When visiting such events I rarely taste more than around 20 wines to give me, and the wines I choose to taste, more time.

Sounds like I’m a nice guy huh? Well, most of the time I am, but there are topics that stir up my feelings as well. Natural corks in wines supposed to be had young for example. Brutal oak monsters hiding all the origin of the wine. Bag-in-boxes. Reactionaries actually believing it’s still all about France. Retail monopolies….

You want to send samples to me? Cool! But please, tell me first what it is you want to have me tasting. I will also reserve the right whether publishing a comment or not. And when to publish as well. Naturally I will correspond with the sender internally if I choose not to publish. Sending samples isn’t cheap. If you’re on a tight budget but feel I’m the guy to taste your wines, then contact me. Maybe we can work out a solution? If a wine, a tasting or a promotion trip are paid for, that is, not by myself, then I will state that. Like this for example.

I used to score. For internal reasons I still do it sometimes, but have decided it’s not something I need to communicate. You see, a score helps me, not you. It’s as simple as that. I know it makes life easier for especially retailers and producers, to sell the stuff, but can also have the exact opposite effect if the score isn’t “good enough”. Use my words if you want to quote me! Just link to me. Want any of my photos? Send me an email.

Yes, I do accept banners on my site. Those currently on Wine Virtuosity are all retailers I use myself and trust. I like their assortment and they offer a selection I feel good about recommending. Consider it a consumer control. I do the hard work for you.

Contact? Should you wish to contact me then click on the contact form and send me an email. Besides Wine Virtuosity I am running Mad about Madeira – a wine site entirely dedicated to Madeira wine. Finally, I sometimes twitter. You can follow me here: NiklasJorgensen. However, I do prefer to chat with you on Facebook. You will find me as Niklas Jörgensen and as my two wine pages, Wine Virtuosity and Mad about Madeira. Friend me up! Would love to meet other wine geeks!

This year, 2012, my focus is Greece, Hungary, Portugal and Sicily.