I feel rather ashamed of my recent trip to inspect vineyards in the south of Russia. First, and most unusually, I went at the invitation of some wineries there. I usually insist on paying my own way but the FT had no qualms about my being a guest in this virtually uncharted corner of the wine world, where local knowledge is particularly useful. Second, I got into an unseemly tussle with my assistant as to who should accept this invitation from Fanagoria, Myskhako and Sauk Dere wineries. Both of us are keen travellers and were intrigued by the prospect of being the first western-based wine writer to look at post-Soviet viticulture on the Black Sea coast. I am afraid to say that I pulled rank.
最近对俄罗斯南部葡萄园的探访令我深感羞愧。首先，最不同寻常的是，我去那里是受到当地一些葡萄酒厂的邀请。一般来说，我坚持以自己的方式付费，但英国《金融时报》对我前往这个葡萄酒世界实质上的未知角落作客却毫无顾虑，在那里，对于当地知识的了解是极其有益的。其次，对于来自Fanagoria、Myskhako和Sauk Dere酒厂的邀请，我和助理产生了不大像样的争议。我们俩都是狂热的旅行爱好者，都被能成为“第一个探访后苏联黑海沿岸葡萄种植的西方红酒作家”的光辉前景所吸引。我恐怕得说，我滥用了职权。