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

Matteo Girardi: My father was probably one of the first wine tourists in Valpolicella, in fact about 40 years ago he used to go to wineries in search of the best Recioto! My mother used to say: if I drink water it stops here (indicating her throat), if I drink wine instead it goes down well!
I think my passion was born back then :)

VDP: Your first encounter with German wines?

Matteo Girardi: I started learning about German wines when I began the WSET journey. With the Diploma, I then delved even deeper into the differences between regions.

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

Matteo Girardi: Certainly dining with Egon Muller is not something that happens every day! Then also the tour in the vineyards with Mathieu Kauffmann and Caro Mauer MW was a great experience! But I would say that all the days were exceptional, very intense!!!

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

Matteo Girardi: I think around 15/20 wines. But I definitely know exactly what to buy now :)

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

Matteo Girardi: All the places we visited were lovely, but perhaps the one I enjoyed the most was in Nahe at the VDP Dönnhoff winery. An oasis of peace and tranquility, with vineyards as a backdrop.

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

Matteo Girardi: Riesling is the first choice, but after the 5 days I spent with you I was also impressed by your Spatburgunder and also by a Chardonnay I fell in love with, from Bernhard Huber.