What do BASF and wine have in common?
Bernhard Wolff presenting a wine pairing during a meal at the BASF headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany. (Photo: Joseph L Murphy)
With two decades of involvement in the field, Bernhard Wolff is one of the most reliable and esteemed authorities on wines. I was lucky to experience one of his wine pairings during last year's work trip to Germany. His passion and knowledge mixed and made for an entertaining evening that helped me better understand the world of wine and how it fits into BASF's portfolio.
As their head wine steward, Wolff looks after creating the ideal drink list for each event or situation, ensuring that all guests can savor their desired taste. It's also his task to select wines from various regions, nations and styles which best match each menu offering.
Wolff's wine selection expertise dates back to when he studied viticulture in Germany. Upon finishing his studies, he served as an apprentice winemaker at multiple European vineyards before joining BASF as its chief wine steward in 2012. Since then, Bernhard has become one of the esteemed experts within the wine community due to his insight and experience.
Not only does Bernhard have extensive knowledge about several types of grapes, but he comprehends how they go together with different dishes and flavors, allowing him to generate unique pairings.
Bernhard's immense network in the wine industry gives him access to some of the highest-quality wines from celebrated European producers. His remarkable career has made him well-respected and influential in the wine industry.
As an expert on wines, he offers advice on picking quality bottles for corporate events and private sampling sessions, ensuring all are up to BASF's exacting criteria. Furthermore, Wolff has consulted for some of Germany's most acclaimed restaurants and wineries. Additionally, he was part of The Food Network's Chopped series.
During events, Wolff presents each bottle of wine, highlighting the important characteristics and reasoning behind choosing the bottle to pair with each course. The level of detail he provides gives guests an appreciation for why certain varieties are favored over others.
Wolff is a renowned figure in the world of wine, and his commitment to promoting quality-produced wines has made him one of the most sought-after professionals in this field today. With his expertise, Bernhard is a valuable member of the BASF team. His enthusiasm and knowledge of wine ensure that everyone gets the most out of every sip!
For more than two decades, Joseph L. Murphy has had the pleasure of meeting and connecting with people from all walks of life through photography. He has photographed presidents and heads of state, traversed the winding alleyways of the Fes Medina in Morocco, photographed the sprawling countryside and people that make up Argentina and covered events that have defined the U.S. Most recently, Murphy’s travels have taken him to Cambodia, Mexico, China, Vietnam and Ecuador.
He has spent the past 20 years specializing in agriculture photography for multiple organizations, publications and marketing projects.
A graduate of the University of Iowa, Murphy determined at an early age that his love of photography would shape his vision for life.