A good wine is like a poem in the bottle. It unfolds its verses on the tongue and paints stories in our hearts.
Christiane Grafe
Because nobility obliges
The wine countess
Blue blood only flows through my veins after extended wine tastings, yet the name is still apt: my name is Christiane Grafe (Graf translates into English as “countess”), so my friends promptly dubbed me “Countess”, and through my profession, passion, and interest in all things wine, "the Wine Countess" was born.
Wine, for me, embodies enjoyment, passion, and serves as the glue for engaging conversations, social evenings, the perfect match for a good meal. Wine not only connects people but is a millennia-old cultural treasure, carrying history and serving as the finest tool to engage all senses holistically. For I can smell, see, feel, taste, and - especially upon uncorking and pouring - even hear wine.
Experience wine
Do you know the saying "Beer before wine, you'll feel fine; wine before beer, you'll feel queer"? The origin of the expression probably dates back to the Middle Ages. Beer was considered more of a drink for the lower classes, while wine was consumed by the nobility.
Luckily, those times are over! Wine is now accessible to everyone, and never before have we had the opportunity to taste such a wide variety of wines from around the world.
My mission: to introduce people to the world of wine in a simple and enjoyable way. Without any fuss, but with lots of fun and dedication. After all, the only thing that counts is whether it tastes good or not. From entry-level wines to the big boys, from all countries, from young to mature, from estate wines to Grand Crus. From still wines to sparkling wines. Everything is possible.
And for every occasion: alone, with a partner, with colleagues, the whole family, in a group, with the company, or even at bachelor*ette parties, birthdays, or weddings.
About me
It all started with a student job in the then renowned Garibaldi wine bar in Munich. I've always loved good food, so wine was never far away. The subject immediately grabbed me and never let go. I have been working in the wine sector for over 15 years, have been a qualified sommelier (IHK) for 10 years and in 2022 I completed the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), an internationally recognized training course, with level 3 on top. Wine knowledge has no limits: I learn every day but never stop. Wine means lifelong learning, discovery and enjoyment.
My profession is my vocation
My job as a sommelière and key account manager at one of the largest and most renowned companies in the wine industry gives me the opportunity to draw on the full range of my knowledge every day and I have access to a portfolio of over 500 wineries. From wine to spirits, this gives me the opportunity to advise our customers, conduct wine tastings, write wine lists and conduct wine training courses.