The Bottle is the Message

We sit down to an exclusive interview with the grande dame of wine. The bottle. She is a straight talker, and we like that. And please, do not call her a container.

• It is true, being called a container does bother me somewhat...my function goes far beyond that of a mere receptacle...but I'm used to it by now.

• The wine? I know what you are hinting at, and no it is not a rumor. I don't mind talking about it. We have spent many years together, we understand and respect one another and get along, if you know what I mean... Love is in the air! [She smiles]

• I'm not a little girl after all...a lot of experiences have come my way since the 17th century. But I look good for my age, wouldn't you agree? Although I must say that getting dressed up in labels does add a certain something.

• Some confusion persists about my origins, and I would like to clear this up right here, right now: my name comes from the French bouteille, which in turn derives from the Latin buttícula... But I am an English model. From Bristol. Are we clear on that? [She laughs]

• It is true that my first encounter with wine dates back to ancient Rome in the 3rd century B.C. In those days, glass was too expensive and delicate a material. I remember those days, of course, but looking back, I don't like what I see. Only the powerful had access to...well, me. This is why I prefer to begin my story in England in the 17th century, where I became a mass phenomenon for the first time and could reach more people.

• Look, at my age I tend to forego modesty. I have done a great deal for the world of wine. As far as I know, before I came along the most commonly used receptacles were clay amphorae. Animal skins were another popular way of transporting wine. Can you imagine? The problem was that there was no way of preserving the wine, which spoiled quickly. As a result, people drank young wines. They added resins, spices and other "elements" that we would nowadays consider...unsanitary.

• Magnum, Methuselah, Nebuchadnezzar, Jeroboam...seriously?! Who on earth decided to give me these names? What were they thinking? I understand that I come in different sizes and volumes and that these have to be categorized somehow, but there has to be another way...I have not given up. I hope that someday someone will come to a decision on the matter. Call me a diva, but this is something that truly bothers me.

• I have nothing but respect for the oak barrel. We make a great team; we share a palpable understanding... The oxidative phase, the reductive phase. The Perfect Pairing with two capital P's. Those smoky aromas of coconut, vanilla...what more is there to say. It makes my work easy. I simply add the finishing touch to the barrel's contribution; I bring the two parts together to form a whole.

• I have held countless wines throughout history. I remember all of them fondly. Each one is so different. Some better, some worse, but that is another story altogether. Who am I to judge?

• Yes, my relationship with the wines of Bodegas Torres goes back many years so what can I say? It is impossible for me to be objective. At this time, I'm very eager to meet a series of vintages that I will be working with soon. To be honest, it looks very promising. I will only say this: Grans Muralles 2009…and leave it at that.

• The future? I have great plans in mind. By the year 2020, and with the help of Torres, I hope to reduce my CO2 emissions per unit by 30% compared to 2008. We shall see. A challenge, for sure, but it is clearly the only way. We have to do it for the greater good. Reinvent yourself or die!