As someone who has always been fascinated by the world of drinks, I can confidently say that delving into Saint Marc USA’s global beverage menu has been a truly eye-opening experience. It’s amazing how a simple glass of water can be elevated to such a level of sophistication, and I’m excited to share my journey with you.
The Rise of the Water Sommelier
I must admit, when I first heard the term “water sommelier,” I couldn’t help but chuckle. After all, how different can one bottle of water be from another? Boy, was I in for a surprise. As I dove deeper into this world, I discovered a vibrant community of water enthusiasts who have turned water tasting into a true art form.
These water sommeliers are trained in rigorous programs, learning the intricacies of water’s terroir, minerality, and even its pairings with food. They can describe the flavors, mouthfeel, and carbonation of a water with the same level of detail and passion that a wine sommelier would use for a rare vintage.
One water sommelier I spoke with, Anistacia Barrak-Barber, described her training as “way more intense than I thought it was going to be.” She spent countless hours studying the nuances of water, from its journey through the earth to its final bottling. And the Fine Water Academy in the US has seen a steady increase in students, with a notable spike in 2020 as the seltzer boom drove more people to explore the world of fine waters.
Discovering the Terroir of Water
As I learned more about this burgeoning industry, I came to understand that water, much like wine, has its own unique terroir. The term, typically associated with the flavors and characteristics of a particular region’s wine, can be applied to water as well. After all, as Michael Mascha, the co-founder of the Fine Water Academy, pointed out, “water really comes from the earth.”
The journey a water takes, from its rainfall to its mineral absorption in the soil, can create a distinctive flavor and carbonation profile that is truly one-of-a-kind. Some waters, like the Vichy Catalan from Spain, have been lauded for their health benefits for centuries, thanks to the unique blend of minerals they’ve accumulated over thousands of years.
During my own water tasting experience, I was struck by the diversity of flavors and textures I encountered. From the soft and mellow Lurisia still water to the salty, earthy, and rich Vichy Catalan, each sip was a unique exploration of the earth’s natural offerings.
Elevating the Ordinary to the Extraordinary
As I delved deeper into the world of fine waters, I couldn’t help but be captivated by the passion and dedication of the people who have turned this humble beverage into a true art form. It’s fascinating to see how a community of enthusiasts can transform something as ubiquitous as water into a sought-after luxury.
Saint Marc USA, for example, offers a global beverage menu that showcases the diversity of the world’s finest waters. From the crisp and clean Hildon hailing from a chalky hillside in the UK to the Saint-Geron with its delicate and tingling bubbles, each bottle on their menu has a story to tell.
But as I explored this world, I couldn’t help but grapple with the ethical considerations. In a time of global water scarcity and rampant inequity, is it responsible to be shipping water across the world for the sake of tasting its minerality? As one water sommelier admitted, “Environmentalism is something I struggle with.”
It’s a complex issue, and one that deserves deeper exploration. After all, as Barrak-Barber pointed out, people import soda, kombucha, and wines from all over the world without much scrutiny. Why should water be any different?
Embracing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary
Through my journey into the world of fine waters, I’ve come to appreciate the care and attention that goes into each bottle. It’s a reminder that even the most ordinary things in our lives can be imbued with meaning and significance when we approach them with curiosity and wonder.
As Avital Ungar, a water sommelier I had the pleasure of tasting with, exclaimed, “Ask me whatever you want! I’m just happy to have somebody that wants to listen.” Her infectious enthusiasm was a gentle nudge for me to slow down, to savor each sip, and to find the extraordinary in the seemingly mundane.
Perhaps the true lesson here is not about the waters themselves, but about the way we engage with the world around us. By slowing down, paying attention, and embracing the complexity of even the simplest things, we can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
So, the next time you reach for a glass of water, I encourage you to take a moment to appreciate its journey, its unique characteristics, and the stories it has to tell. Who knows, you might just find yourself becoming a water enthusiast too.
