Martin Zurbuchen (56) from Zurich, account manager in the communications industry, married, father of two sons, passionate chess player.
Rhoneblut: Mr. Zurbuchen, how long have you been a customer of Albert Mathier & Sons?
Martin Zurbuchen: That was (unfortunately) not so long ago. I think the first order I made was about four years ago.
RB: How did you become aware of our wines?
MZ: That happened rather by chance. I was invited to a dinner, and the Merlot from Mathier’s Vinum Lignum® range was served there.
RB: Please tell us your favorite(s) from our range?
MZ: The Merlot I mentioned is still one of my favorite Mathier wines. Besides, I really like the red Domaine de Ravoire® and the amphora wine I recently tasted is also very interesting.
RB: Apart from the Upper Valais, what other wine provenances and varieties do you particularly like?
MZ: My wine preferences have shifted somewhat over the years. Which is, of course, not least a question of budget. Originally, I enjoyed rather inexpensive bottlings of Spanish Rioja, Italian Chianti and French Côte du Rhône. Then also wines from the New World, such as USA, Chile, Australia and New Zealand.
Ultimately, however, it is the Europeans who continue to inspire me. Perhaps in a different quality class than when I first entered the wine world. I would say that Sangiovese and Nebbiolo from Italy, Tempranillo from Spain, the blends from the Côte du Rhône and the South of France respectively are still among my favorites.
RB: How, where and when do you prefer to enjoy wine?
MZ: Preferably for dinner. Sometimes also for the aperitif. Also gladly in the restaurant, if the way home can be managed without own autolenken. Therefore, probably the very favorite at home.
RB: Do your wine preferences vary by season? And if so, how?
MZ: First and foremost, the choice of wine depends on the menu. And since I am not at all averse to seasonal cuisine, we are then quickly also with the seasons.
RB: How and where do you find out about wines, novelties and news?
MZ: On a wide variety of channels. On the one hand, certainly via specialist articles in the daily and Sunday press. For this purpose, I receive mailings from various wine suppliers by post. And very often I am also recommended a special wine among colleagues. In addition, vacations in wine destinations are also always very good for getting to know new drops.
RB: Are wine ratings (Parker scores, Weinwisser, Michael Broadbent, etc.) relevant to you?
MZ: These ratings are actually hardly decisive for me. Maybe also because nowadays there are so many different ratings and rating systems. In the end, the wine has to taste good to me and not to a self-proclaimed wine pope.
RB: In a nutshell, why do you buy wine from us?
MZ: Because the price/performance ratio is right and the quality is top. In addition, the production method of a Swiss family business is simply closer to me than that of a global wine empire. I’m very happy to honor the work of local artists.
Our wine recommendation.
