AMA Gallery
Series One

I’ve always believed that everything possesses a spirit,

and I prefer to regard wine as a living being. 

During tastings, I dialogue with the wine, feeling the stories they tell,

the scenes they depict, and the emotions they aim to convey.

-Alexandre MA

The profession of a wine critic has existed for many years, relying solely on individuals’ sense of smell, taste, knowledge, and written descriptions to guide professionals and consumers.

Following in the footsteps of our predecessors is like standing on the shoulders of giants. But I often think, as a new generation of wine critics, we must continually strive for improvement and evolution, to showcase the unique charm of Chinese wine critics.

Our readers come from various backgrounds, ranging from beginners to wine professionals. Often, technical indicators like “acidity” and “tannins” are more for personal reference, intended for professional judgment and industry professionals. However, the broader audience of wine enthusiasts may not be able to perfectly imagine the flavor profile through just a few indicators alone.

In my opinion, rather than focusing on these technical indicators, it would be better to concentrate on “spiritual communication” with the wine. By doing so, the wine world we perceive becomes more lively.

Furthermore, as a Chinese wine critic, Eastern thinking and aesthetics are innate characteristics of mine. From the day it was created, the Chinese language was presented in the form of “images”, which we refer to as “pictographic characters”.

Because of the logical structure of our language, when I taste a moving wine, various interesting images often appear before my eyes, such as purple spring rain or exquisitely detailed ceremonial attire… Friends who have read my wine comments are sure to have a vivid impression of this.

In traditional Chinese poetry and literature, a similar form of expression is often used to convey the beauty of the ‘artistic conception. For instance, the poem “Red apricots on the branches buzz with spring’s vitality” (红杏枝头春意闹) by Song Qi, describes the bustling scene of apricot flowers in full bloom, as if he could hear the noisy chatter. As for me, when I tasted Yquem 2021, I saw auroras slashing through the heavens; when tasting Château Kirwan, I heard the song of the lark. Linking the sensations across different senses through wine can stimulate my creative inspiration.

This is the wine world as I see it. 

I’ve always had a particular desire to transform the ‘beautiful world’ in my mind into a real image, allowing everyone to experience the “cerebral climax” I feel when tasting fine wines.

Therefore, this year I launched a long-anticipated new project: AMA Gallery.

That’s right, besides striving to be a “stand-up comedian” among wine critics 😜, I also hope to become a “wine critic painter”, adding the important dimension of “vision” to traditional wine reviews, and painting unique flavor images for wines I carefully select.

To realize this project, I collaborated with Phydiasse for over a year, constantly experimenting and refining. Now, at last, we are ready to share it with everyone.

The artworks from the Series One of the AMA Gallery have been included in the “AMA Selection 2021” booklet. I hope that while tasting these wines, you can combine these images and wine comments to achieve a more beautiful enjoyment and feel the world of wine as I envision it. I hope to bring a unique experience through lively descriptions and exquisite illustrations, inviting you to explore wine beyond taste and smell.

As time goes by, you might not remember the details in my wine reviews, but if the image linked to this wine linger in your thoughts, that alone suffices for me. 

After introducing so much, you must be curious.  Now, please move on to the AMA Gallery to enjoy the images from the Series One.

AMA Gallery
Château d’Yquem 2021

AMA Gallery
Château Pavie Macquin 2021

AMA Gallery
Château Dufort-Viviens 2021

AMA Gallery
Château Canon La Gaffelière 2021

AMA Gallery
Château Cantenac Brown 2021

AMA Gallery
Château Clos de Sarpe 2021

AMA Gallery
Château de Ferrand 2021

AMA Gallery
Château Pédesclaux 2021

AMA Gallery
Château Kirwan 2021

AMA Gallery
Château de Pressac 2021

AMA Gallery
Château Le Chatelet 2021

AMA Gallery
Château La Vieille Cure 2021

Currently, we have only selected a few wine reviews that inspired our creativity for our artwork, hoping to bring more pieces to everyone in the future.

Finally, there are as many Hamlets as there are readers, and I believe that everyone has their unique impressions and interpretations when tasting wine. So, among the many wines featured in the first edition of “AMA Gallery”, have you found any that resonate with you? Which artwork did you like the most? Please share with us! 😊