In my series “If Wine Were a Person” every wine comes to life as a vivid character. The idea? To experience wine in a playful yet profound way. Today’s star: the 1996 Clos Ste Hune Riesling from Maison Trimbach in Alsace.
Max Kaindl, January 23, 2025
Reading time about 2 minutes
Clos Ste Hune Riesling 1996
Imagine yourself at an elegant gathering in a historic French manor. The rooms shimmer under the glow of antique chandeliers; soft voices blend with the gentle clinking of glasses. And there he is—in the corner, purposefully removed from the crowd. He’s the kind of person you notice immediately, though he does nothing to seek attention. Tall and lean, with silver-streaked hair, neatly combed back. His bespoke tweed suit tells a story of timeless elegance, touched with a hint of patina that only adds to his charm. His leather shoes gleam subtly, never ostentatious.
He’s not one for small talk, but when he speaks, the room falls silent. His voice? Velvety, calm, with a sharp undertone that grips your attention. He doesn’t make grand declarations; he prompts reflection—subtly, yet with undeniable weight. His words carry significance, each one a small masterpiece, a perfect blend of elegance and depth. This is not someone who skims the surface—he’s all substance.
In company, he moves with an effortless grace, at once magnetic and enigmatic. When he shakes your hand, his gaze is piercing, almost as if testing your worth. And when he leaves, there’s a lingering sense of having encountered someone extraordinary—a quiet echo that stays with you.
Professionally? He’s a curator—not of art, but of life’s essence: those small, perfect moments that often go unnoticed. A collector of meaning, a creator of memories.
In private, he shuns the spotlight. He retreats into solitude, reading aged books that smell of adventure and ancient secrets. When the wind grows cold, he takes long walks, alone with his thoughts. And on rare occasions, he indulges in an old whisky—mature, profound, a reflection of himself.
The 1996 Clos Ste Hune Riesling from Trimbach is a man you don’t understand right away. He offers no shortcuts. You need patience to uncover him, layer by layer. But if you’re willing to take the time, he reveals a world you never expected—a world that lingers long after he’s gone.





