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Drinking a toast to shared cultures at RSM wine tasting event

The international expertise of the RSM community is boundless! Earlier this month, MBA13 student and wine expert Keiji Sawa took the initiative of leading a wine tasting event for around 70 students, alumni and RSM staff. 

About 70 participants packed into Maria’s Cantina in J-building to join the wine tasting event and share cultural experiences. The tastings were based on six exquisite wines from five different regions of France; white wines were Chablisienne and André Dezat, champagnes were Honoré Lavigne and Laurent-Perrier, and red wines were Louis Jadot and Thomas Barton.

Keiji’s selection reflected the grape varieties and the soil in which the vines are grown. “The essence of selection lays in the power of comparison; in order to taste and experience one wine, you need to be able to compare it with its opposite to get the real essence of that wine,” he said. 

Wine has always been a part of Keiji’s life; his interest was sparked when he lived in the wine-producing areas of California, USA for five years, then seven years in Alsace, France.  After passing a highly competitive wine exam in 2005, Keiji was awarded with the title of Wine Expert. 

“I want to organize wine seminars to share my experience of wine culture. In each seminar, I ask someone to become a speaker for his or her country and share a wine story reflecting a country, region or personal experience,” he said. 

“By the end of this year, The RSM Wine Club could be an international culture exchange centre!”

Contributing to students’ interactions was one of Keiji’s stated aims in his original application to RSM, and his enthusiasm and keen interest in wine was successful in inspiring RSM students, alumni and staff to learn more about wine, and to share cultural experiences. The event’s international ambiance was reflected in an exceptional mix of ethnicities and a setting which provided everyone with an opportunity to interact and learn more about each other’s cultures. Their enthusiasm showed deep appreciation for Keiji’s efforts, and the atmosphere was friendly, sophisticated and fun.
 
This successful event has led to students collaborating on plans to organise similar seminars to introduce their traditional cuisines based on their ethnic backgrounds.  RSM continues to explore the globe! 

RSM wine-tasters said: 
Hugo from Peru: ‘’This is my first wine tasting, I feel privileged to receive first-hand information from an expert.”

Chiori Takesue from Japan: ‘’This is not my first wine tasting, yet I have learned many things that I did not know before.’’ 

Andrei Piftor from Russia: ‘’Up to this point I had no knowledge of wine at all, thanks to Keiji I succeeded in gaining basic knowledge and I had a great time as well.”