Audrey Annoh-Antwi

Ahead of this month’s wine dinner celebrating some of our favourite women-lead domaines, we talked with sommelier and event’s co-host Audrey Annoh-Antwi.

In this conversation, Audrey calls our attention to the role played by mood and company when choosing what to drink, while reminding us of the importance of trusting your personal taste when it comes to enjoying a good wine.

Read on to discover more about Audrey’s idea of a perfect meal, memorable experiences around the table, and more.

1. You're handed a wine list, what do you do?

Look into the eyes of my dining companions, confirm that none of them want the responsibility of choosing the wine. I will ask is this a day for? (insert style) Then the search begins. My companions will regret giving me the list. They get more and more parched as I enjoy my reading.

2. How do you know the wine you're drinking is good?

What is good will always be subjective but I know a wine is good when it urges me to start enthusing about it. You smell the wine. Taste the wine. And exclaim that is good which only need to be true to you. But most importantly the good qualities of the wine will have you beaming.

3. What is something fascinating you’ve been told over lunch?

That you know a restaurant is posh if they have fancy things like pickled shallots on the menu. My niece told me this, she was probably around 9 years old at the time. I now measure all restaurants on based on this.

4. In whose company do you most enjoy drinking wine?

My siblings, mum and partner. Things always taste better with the people you love the most and they are very tolerant of my wine tangents.

5. Can you describe your ideal combination of wine, music, and setting?

The setting just needs to be somewhere with peace and a view. The music depends on the mood, a mixed bag is likely it could go from Brand New to Samm Henshaw to Bree Runway to Tears For Fears. The wine; anything from Maxime Magnon.

6. What sort of food would you add to the equation?

Ghanaian food. Wherever there is fried plantain, jollof rice, suya. I assure you happiness and joy reside.

7. What is the most memorable bottle of wine you’ve drank?

The first that came to mind was Meursault Les Narvaux 2011, Pierre Yves Colin Morey.

8. Where did you drink it?

The Sportsman, Whitstable, the wine had been gifted to me and it was my partner’s birthday.

9. Is there a characteristic you look for in a wine and in a friend?

No. Moments with wine are fleeting, friendships are longer sustaining. Wine should quench a thirst (literally) and friends nourish the soul.

10. What is your approach to drinking?

In moderation and sometimes with company. A bottle of wine is seldom opened unless we have guests really.

11. Do you apply this approach in other aspects of life?

Moderation in particular when it applies to fitness.

12. What shall we open next?

Vouette et Sorbee Saignee de Sorbee

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