VDP: Where and how did you get the wine bug?

Sean Ou: My journey into wine began from a deep curiosity about how culture, geography, and craftsmanship intertwine in a single glass. What started as casual interest quickly grew into a lifelong pursuit when I discovered the ability of wine to tell a story – about people, place, and time. That combination of artistry and science gave me the "wine bug," and I haven’t looked back since.

VDP: Your first encounter with German wines?

Sean Ou: My first real encounter with German wines was through Riesling. I was immediately struck by its ability to balance elegance with intensity – racy acidity wrapped around layers of fruit and minerality. It was unlike anything I had tasted before and opened my eyes to Germany’s unique ability to craft wines that are both powerful and precise.

VDP: What is your favourite story to tell about German/VDP.wine – did you have highly emotional experience with our wines / producers?

Sean Ou: One of my most memorable moments was tasting a dry Grosses Gewächs Riesling side-by-side with a Spätburgunder from a VDP estate. It felt like discovering two sides of Germany’s soul – the crystalline energy of Riesling and the quiet, confident power of Pinot Noir. That tasting crystallised for me why German wines deserve their place at the table alongside the greatest of the Old World.

VDP: How many bottles of German wine/VDP.wines do you have in your cellar?

Sean Ou: I keep a modest collection due to space constraints, but I always make room for what truly inspires me. At present, I have around 20 bottles of Grosses Gewächs Rieslings from different VDP producers – each one chosen because it captures a particular terroir or vintage that I want to revisit in the future.

VDP: What is your favourite vineyard in Germany – and why?

Sean Ou: For me, the vineyards along the Mosel hold a special fascination. The dramatic slopes and slate soils push the vine – and the grower – to their limits, yet what emerges in the glass is effortless beauty and complexity. It’s a vivid reminder of how struggle in the vineyard translates into brilliance in the bottle.

VDP:If it comes to German grape varieties, what is your favourite? Riesling, Spätburgunder or other?

Sean Ou: Riesling will always hold the top spot for me. Although I have a sweet tooth, it’s the dry Rieslings that I admire most – the depth, tension, and complexity they can achieve are unrivalled. That said, I have a soft spot for Spätburgunder as well. German Pinot Noir has become one of my favourite discoveries – a worthy rival to Burgundy that offers both exceptional quality and remarkable value.