An Interview With Arindam Basu

This is an interview with Arindam Basu, who is a wine educator, molecular biochemist and host of private events and dinners.

What first drew you into the world of wine?

My first reason was to taste it. I learned that wines from the same grapes don’t taste the same.  I started to explore that.

Was there a particular bottle, moment, or experience that shifted your interest into something more serious?

I started a meetup group in Philly in 2016. In those tasting events, I realized I can distinguish between a strawberry and a cranberry and clove and vanilla. This made me seek out WSET Level 2 (which was supposed to be one and done deal). But the curiosity and the thirst of knowledge led me down the rabbit hole of certifications. 

Do you approach wine more as something to study, or something to simply enjoy?

I dissect every wine I drink and that gives me the joy of understanding what’s in the glass. 

What role does wine play in your everyday life?

Wine science inspires my curiosity to deepen my understanding and share knowledge with those around me.

Do you remember when you first started to notice differences between wines?

My very first purchase was Barefoot (as far as I remember, Pinot grigio, 4-pack).  I didn’t understand why it was popular because I did not love it. I then had a Penfold’s Shiraz and I better understood that wine is both subjective and unique. This led me to explore different wines from the same grape and notice the difference. 

Are there styles or regions that you naturally gravitate towards?

Mostly old-world style (with the exception of Malbec). Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, Bordeaux are all favorites.

What made you decide to start sharing your wine journey on Instagram?

It started as mostly to share the enjoyment of the wines I drank (along with food).

How would you describe your voice when you talk about wine?

LOL! My friends have commented as to how spontaneously my enthusiasm increases when the subject changes to wine talk. And my eyes become bright. (rumor has it that there are pictures of this).

Are you pursuing any formal wine education, or do you prefer a self-directed approach?

I love getting certified. Given my academic background, I think studying for certifications helped motivate more to learn (with an objective in mind). But I do read wines news pretty much everyday for couple of hours.

What makes a wine experience memorable for you?

Definitely, sharing with friends. Occasions, wine trips, tastings, etc. But I appreciate a wine a lot, when it over delivers for the price point. 

Do you think people overthink wine?

I think they are afraid of saying what they think. Especially when a wine professional stands in front of them and asserts his/her liking for one wine over the other. And it’s not just ‘common’ people. It’s people who are in the trade too. The apprehension (and intimidation) of being judged for their preference is very common.

Where would you like to take your wine journey next?

Definitely visit more places, write about wine/wine and write wine reviews. Help educate people to get excited about learning about wine, knowing more and getting them out of their comfort zone to try something new.

If someone is just starting out in wine, what would you tell them to focus on first?

Explore, explore, explore and keep notes of what you like and don’t. Don’t get bogged down by what others think about your choice. It takes time to develop and train a palate. Go to trade tastings as they give a perfect exposure to try a wide variety of wines. But I would definitely say that an introductory certification does help to formalize the experience.