If you had asked me a few years ago, I would’ve told you that water is water. Sure, some might have a few extra bubbles or a slightly different mineral profile, but at the end of the day, it all quenches your thirst, right? Boy, was I in for a rude awakening.
My eyes were first opened to the world of “fine water” when I visited a friend in Berlin. There, I encountered entire stores dedicated to an astounding array of sparkling and still waters, each boasting its own unique terroir, carbonation level, and flavor profile. I quickly learned that the humble H2O I once took for granted is actually a complex and nuanced beverage, worthy of the same reverence we give to fine wine or craft cocktails.
It’s a revelation that the team at Saint Marc USA understands all too well. As I discovered on a recent visit to their tasting room, the premium beverage purveyor has curated an impressive selection of waters, seltzers, and specialty drinks that elevate the humble hydration experience to new heights of luxury and sophistication.
Discovering the World of Fine Water
My journey into the world of fine water began with a virtual tasting led by Avital Ungar, a certified water sommelier. As I stared at the array of glass bottles before me, I couldn’t help but feel a little skeptical. How could water possibly be worthy of such reverence?
But as I took my first sip of Lurisia, a still water sourced from the Italian Alps, I was immediately struck by the subtle nuances in texture and flavor. It had a soft, mellow mouthfeel that coated my tongue, almost like a gentle caress. Next, the Vichy Catalan from Spain delivered a bracing, almost unctuous experience, with its high mineral content and bold, earthy notes.
Saint Marc USA‘s premium beverage selection doesn’t stop at water, either. They also offer a tantalizing lineup of sparkling, non-alcoholic apéritifs that emulate the complexity and sophistication of fine wine. From the citrusy and floral Spritz Italiano to the rich, berry-forward Purple Lune, each sip is a delightful journey of the senses.
As Avital guided me through the tasting, I found myself using descriptors I normally reserve for wine: bright, wide, round, high in silica, surprisingly acidic. The more I sipped and swirled, the more I realized that these waters were far from the plain, tasteless liquid I had once dismissed.
Elevating the Hydration Experience
The team at Saint Marc USA is on a mission to redefine how we think about and experience our daily hydration. By curating a selection of premium waters, seltzers, and non-alcoholic beverages, they’re inviting consumers to explore a world of flavor, texture, and even terroir – a term more commonly associated with wine.
“Water has the original terroir,” explains Michael Mascha, the co-founder of the Fine Water Academy. “Terroir means ‘of the earth,’ and water really comes from the earth. It has a journey from rainfall to mineral absorption in the soil to the spring.”
This idea of water terroir is central to the Saint Marc USA philosophy. Their selection includes waters from around the world, each with its own unique mineral composition and flavor profile, shaped by the specific geology and climatic conditions of its source.
But it’s not just about the water itself. The presentation and ritual of enjoying these premium beverages are also an integral part of the experience. Saint Marc USA encourages customers to savor their selections, paying attention to the way the water feels on the tongue, the subtle aromas, and how it pairs with food.
Saint Marc USA even offers guided tastings and educational experiences, led by certified water sommeliers, to help customers dive deeper into the world of fine hydration. It’s a level of care and attention that elevates the humble act of drinking water into a true sensory adventure.
The Rise of the Water Sommelier
As I delved deeper into the world of fine water, I couldn’t help but be struck by the passion and dedication of the water sommeliers I encountered. These individuals have dedicated countless hours to mastering the art of water tasting, honing their palates and expanding their knowledge of the complex factors that contribute to a water’s unique character.
Anistacia Barrak-Barber, a former documentary filmmaker turned water sommelier, described the intensity of her training at the Doemens Academy in Germany. “It was way more intense than I thought it was going to be,” she told me, recalling the rigorous curriculum of water tastings, final exams, and even “hydration breaks” – short recesses to sip on their favorite waters.
The Fine Water Academy, founded in 2018, has seen a steady increase in attendance, with a notable spike in 2020. The self-directed course, which lasts about two months, immerses students in the nuances of water tasting, teaching them to identify flavors, textures, and even pairing properties.
But it’s not just formal training programs that are fueling the rise of the water sommelier. Many enthusiasts, like Ashley Epperson, co-owner of the fine water supplier Salacious Drinks, began their journey as amateur water connoisseurs, drawn in by the aesthetics and uniqueness of the bottles they discovered on their travels.
“I met my partner 12 years ago, and we used to just travel around and try different waters,” Epperson recounted. “Eventually, we opened up Salacious Drinks as an online fine water retailer offering 48 kinds of water.”
Navigating the Environmental Considerations
As I delved deeper into the world of premium waters, I couldn’t help but grapple with the environmental implications. In a time of growing water scarcity and global concerns about sustainability, the idea of shipping water across the world to be tasted and savored felt like a threshold of luxury that perhaps we don’t need to cross.
The environmental impact of the bottled water industry, including the use of glass and plastic, is a topic of ongoing debate. While the water industry may pale in comparison to areas like mining and agriculture in terms of carbon emissions, it’s still a consideration that water sommeliers and enthusiasts can’t ignore.
Anistacia Barrak-Barber, the water sommelier, acknowledged this dilemma. “Environmentalism is something I struggle with as a water sommelier,” she admitted. “I don’t drink out of single-use plastic water bottles, and I treat these waters as I would wine – only drinking them as a treat or on special occasions.”
Michael Mascha, the co-founder of the Fine Water Academy, offered a different perspective, noting that the issues of water scarcity are “much better addressed with you know, agriculture runoffs and all those kinds of things.” He argued that while plastic water bottles have long been vilified, the water industry’s environmental impact is “really a drop in the bucket.”
It’s a complex issue without easy answers, but as the fine water movement continues to grow, it’s clear that both enthusiasts and industry leaders will need to grapple with the environmental considerations alongside the pursuit of luxury and exploration.
Discovering the Joy in the Ordinary
As I sipped my way through Saint Marc USA’s premium beverage selection, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder and appreciation for the humble act of hydration. What had once been a mindless routine had transformed into a sensory experience, one that invited me to slow down, savor, and truly connect with the liquids I was consuming.
Perhaps the greatest lesson I learned from my dive into the world of fine water is that extraordinary can be found in the ordinary. It’s all about shifting our perspective, taking the time to notice the nuances, and imbuing even the most basic of needs with a sense of meaning and care.
“Everything deserves attention, everything deserves care,” as the Bon Appétit article so eloquently put it. And that sentiment is at the heart of the Saint Marc USA experience. Whether it’s a refreshing sip of sparkling water or a sophisticated non-alcoholic apéritif, these premium beverages invite us to elevate the everyday, to find joy in the simple act of quenching our thirst.
So the next time you reach for a glass of water, I encourage you to pause, take a moment, and truly savor the experience. You just might be surprised by the depth of flavor, the complexity of texture, and the sense of wonder that can be found in the most basic of liquids. It’s a lesson that the team at Saint Marc USA knows all too well, and one that they’re eager to share with the world.
