Fernando Melo, Journalist and food critic - Wine and luxury: (much) more than price

Over the course of almost forty years of working in the wonderful world of wine, I have amassed a wealth of surprises. For me, the greatest luxury lies in the golden moments that people, travelling and tastings have given me. Right after that comes the privilege of always having associated drinking with a civilised ritual, while expressly refraining from excessive consumption. And finally, I have come to realise that the more I venture into the world of wine, the more I still have to learn. Once the door is well and truly opened, the path ahead is endless. Contrary to what many may think, money is not the be-all and end-all. Being open-minded is the most crucial aspect.
Luxury is about time. The pleasure of wine is not something that comes early in life. You have to give it time and lose your fear of the experience. You take on and embrace a whole ritual that you invariably pass on to your children and friends. I include in this special aspect those wines with which we honour our loved ones, uncorking vintages from important years in their lives.
Luxury is about sharing. Nothing gives me more pleasure than sharing a good bottle of wine with friends, children and relatives. I would even go so far as to say that without sharing, the world of wine would not exist. It follows as a matter of course that true glory can be found around a table, in pairing wine with food. And if you enjoy cooking and serving important dishes to your family, it goes without saying that you should do so with the right wines.
Luxury is about collecting. Having a wine collection that grows with you, to which you can keep adding new treasures and discoveries, is what makes it truly yours. Everything in it is geared towards the most special moments in our lives. Opening wines that celebrate certain occasions, such as children’s birthdays, is one of the most noble purposes we can give them.
Luxury is about drinking. Wine takes on a life of its own when we drink it. People who say they don’t like wine have never really been properly introduced to it. Opening a special bottle is all part of the ritual. It is very important to honour wine with good glasses. Decanting wine is preparing it with finesse for the best possible enjoyment. 
Luxury is about buying. Time teaches us to go to wine auctions, to buy online, and to truly value good purchases. We should never be without our favourite wine at the table. Therefore, rather than buying for the sake of buying, we should focus on buying well, at good prices and with good quality. Even from a strictly hedonistic perspective, this is a healthy habit that helps us grow. Wastefulness is simply unacceptable in these times.

Fernando Melo
Journalist and food critic