Interview with our fire Ambassador Tony D, Aka the Wine Damager
Tony D, with a bourgeois name Mohamed Ayad, shaped the hip hop landscape under the Aggro Berlin label in the 2000s. The passion for rap music has become a hobby for the native of Berlin, his professional Passion In the meantime extends to a new world: Wine. In 2019 he completed his training as a sommelier with award. Two years later, he opened his own wine shop "Wine Damager" on Brunnenstrasse in Berlin. In this interview, he tells us how to get the way Wine found it so enthusiastic about this topic.
Many know you as Tony D from the time of your active music career. How did you get the way to Wine found?
I would say that Wine found the way to me. In 2010 my girlfriend introduced me to the world of wine and enjoyment. After my active music career, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do or what could really inspire me. At that time I worked in the catering trade and had my first job in the wine trade in 2017. During this time I have a lot about Wine learned, tight contacts with the wine scene and finally trained as a sommelier in 2019.
What has inspired you more about it about Wine To learn and open your own shop "Wine Damager"?
Everyone Wine Has a story and some have the strength to fascinate us from the first moment. Bordeaux wines in particular impress me with their complexity and profoundness. This fascination sparked my curiosity. Wine is such a versatile topic that never gets boring. I knew early on that I mean Passion for Wine and want to combine trade. I opened Wine Damagager in 2021.
In your shop, urban Berlin style combines in a unique atmosphere paired with your knowledge and experience from the wine world. What experience do you want to offer your customers if you enter your shop?
I want to be a good host and the joy of my customers Wine and bring pleasure closer. Over the years I have built up a loyal regular customer, but there are always new ones in addition to known faces.
... but Wine Damager is not just this shop on Brunnenstrasse, isn't it?
Wine Damager is much more than just a shop. I also work intensively with the catering trade here in Berlin - be it when choosing suitable wines for menus or for events. Over the years I have built up a strong network of winegrowers, and my goal is to also represent and make it known in the catering trade. In addition, I organize my own events, especially in summer here in the shop or as pop-up events together with friends & partners. I think it's nice to be part of projects, to build something and at some point to harvest the fruits of this work.
What do you recommend to someone who is new to the world of wine?
Diving into the world of wine is like learning to read. I always recommend that you first familiarize yourself with the best -known grape varieties such as Grauburgunder, Riesling, Silvaner or Pinot Noir. For example, you can quickly see whether you prefer wines with a lot or little acid. It is important that you take the time to try different wines. The way to a personal favorite wine is individual - and that makes it so exciting!
You put bigen value on biodynamic and natural wines. What is important to you when choosing the wines for your shop?
When choosing the wines, I prefer wines with a clear profile and tastable origin. I put in my shop bigIn the value of diversity: in addition to biodynamic and natural wines, there are also classics from Piedmont, Bordeaux or residual sweet wines from the Moselle. These wines bring a lot of history and tradition and form the essence of traditional wine knowledge. Winemakers who pursue a clear philosophy and express them in their wines inspire me. In the end, there are only wines with character on my shelves that are fun. The wine glass is essential for the taste of the taste of Wine.
Which properties are particularly important for you on wine glass?
For me, a wine glass is an essential tool to bring the taste and aroma of a wine to the fore. It should correspond to the basic principles, such as the shape of a bordeaux glass with the so -called chimney effect, which bundles the aromas and makes the taste more precise. Aspects such as the feel and the value are particularly important to me - a glass should be pleasantly in the hand and be of high quality. I myself prefer fine, not too thick -walled glasses. In addition to the functionality, aesthetics also play a role for me - the glass must also be nice.
What made you the series Cocoon to add to your shop? What inspires you about this series?
When I the glasses of the Cocoon Series held in my hand for the first time, I was amazed at how light and fine you are - hard to believe that you are manufactured by machine. The design inspired me, the shape is special, organic and at the same time natural. The Cocoon Glasses have this special AHA effect. I like to use the series here in the shop as tasting glasses because they impressively support the development of the flavors and the taste of the wine.
How are you on Stölzle Lausitz became aware of?
I have Stölzle Lausitz Get to know the catering trade for the first time in the 2010s. The glasses were also sold in the Schmidt wine shop and used for tastings. There I got my first stolen Wine Glasses Growed - the series back then Quatrophil. Stölzle Lausitz Was always where I was and always in the places where Wine was celebrated. Of course, it felt like a partnership. Behind the name is not only a company that produces itself, but also people with faces that are now known. That inspired me!
We are curious ... there is one Wine For 2025 that will make a lot of fun?
A Wine, The which I can absolutely recommend for 2025 is the 2022 Pinot Noir Old vines from the Peter Wagner winery from Baden. The grapes come from around 35 to 60 years old vines that have grown on the volcanic floor. The Wine matured in French barriques for about 18 months and was filled in the summer of 2024. In terms of taste, it is not exhausting fruity, rather robust, spicy and slightly smoky. At the same time, it impresses with a lot of freshness, a living acidity and a clear structure.
Is there one Wine, who stands on your bucket list and which you really want to try?
A Wine, The Château Palmer, 3ème Grand Cru Classé from Margaux, is the Château Palmer for a very long time. I was particularly taken with the 1983 vintage, not only because it comes from my year of birth, but also because it is one of the best Palmer wines of all time. A good Bordeaux can easily over 40 years Tires, this has currently reached his peak - so too long I can no longer postpone this wish.
Where: Wine Damager, Brunnenstraße 6-7, 10119 Berlin
Social media: @Wine.damager
