Alex Starey – South Africa (Keermont Estate)

Name: Alex Starey

Currently: in charge of the vineyards and of making the Keermont Estate’s wines.

Website:  www.keermont.co.za

Questions:

What is your philosophy to making wine and viticulture?

I am terroir crazy. I love the concept of different soils and vineyard sights expressing themselves differently in wines. I therefore believe in as little artificial interference as possible in the vineyard and cellar in order to create wines that express where they come from and the season of that vintage.

Which cultivar is your favourite to work with and why?

Chenin blanc: it has so many different ‘faces’. It can really vary so much on different soils and from different sites as well as be made in any style from Bubbly through dry wines all the way to great desert wine.

How do you see the future of wine production and what are the challenges and the opportunities?

Wine is ultimately a very ‘pure’ product which has become more and more popular across the globe for centuries. I think in its purity, it will be something that stays with the human race for ever. I believe for the foreseeable future the biggest challenge is in climate change. Great vineyards need a fairly constant environment, not one that is changing from year to year. I Would love to tell you about where I see opportunities, but then I’d have to kill you. Haha.

Where do you see the global wine market in 2025?

Very difficult to say, but as mentioned above I believe that wine will continue to be popular, just as long as the climate allows us to grow it!

Alex Starey

@ by Dominik Kozlik – Zeitgeist Sommeliers – International Sommelier Positions – www.sommelier-jobs.com