From champagne vintages and caviar bumps to spectacular locations and the nuance of haute horology, Kristen Shirley is aware of it. A tenured journalist (previously a style editor at Elle, and a member of the editorial workforce at Elite Traveler), Shirley reworked her experience into La Patiala, a web-based encyclopedia for all issues within the expansive luxurious sector. A singular useful resource, the vacation spot goals to demystify unique worlds and equip those that are curious with the language to take action. Shirley launched the platform earlier this 12 months with an intensive Watch Encyclopedia and at the moment debuts the Champagne and Glowing Wine Encyclopedia, which presents steering relating to every little thing from deciding on to sabering to savoring lengthy after a bottle’s been opened. None of it will matter if Shirley didn’t strategy every little thing from the angle of a newbie, regardless of being an knowledgeable. Not solely does that permit her to keep away from turning into desensitized to the grandeur and its context, it additionally helps her clarify it to others with compelling readability. Shirley loves telling tales and within the particulars she discovers one thing pleasing and informative is born. To be taught extra concerning the web site’s inception, we spoke together with her prematurely of the Champagne and Glowing Wine Encyclopedia’s launch.

Why did you embark upon this nice journey? 

Once I moved from Elle to Elite Traveler, I coated every little thing luxurious: watches, jewellery, wine, spirits, journey. It was actually troublesome to study all these totally different classes. For instance, I used to be making an attempt to determine the distinction between a Six Senses and an Aman, a Ritz-Carlton and a 4 Seasons. It was exhausting to seek out somebody to place this all into context—and a variety of publications share information however assume a baseline of information.

Through the years, I grew to become an knowledgeable. I’m an enormous nerd. I at all times go above and past. I took lessons on the Gemological Institute of America to get the Utilized Jewellery Certificates. I obtained the Stage 2 Award in Wine & Spirits and the Stage 3 Award in Wine, from the Wine & Spirit Schooling Belief, which concerned lots of of hours and thousand of flashcards. I wished to have the ability to share this data with folks. Initially, I assumed it was going to be a guide nevertheless it type of outgrew what may very well be contained in a guide. That’s why I began La Patiala.

Info is at all times altering. How do you intend on updating the encyclopedia?

I launched it in January with about 100 tales. A variety of the content material is evergreen. The way in which you style wine is rarely actually going to vary. I believe these tales will at all times be there, however I’ll replace them if I be taught one thing that will likely be useful to different folks. For one thing just like the Watch Encyclopedia, the dive watch definition isn’t going to vary, however the perfect fashions will. As new fashions come out, I’ll re-edit my choice, changing them as crucial.

The web is all about democratization of information whereas luxurious is commonly about exclusivity. How are you bridging this together with your writing?

Even when you can’t afford to remain on the St Regis in New York, you may go and have tea. I keep in mind a few years in the past I used to be in Miami with a good friend, strolling alongside the seaside and I stated, “Oh, let’s go get a drink on the Ritz-Carlton” and he was like, “We’re not staying there.” He didn’t know you would simply go. The service was nice. He was so overwhelmed by how good everybody was. I would like folks to know that is doable.

Do you assume your encyclopedia can inform specialists, as properly?

If you happen to’re a watch collector or a watch knowledgeable, you won’t know as a lot about whisky or champagne. You possibly can go to these classes. That’s what units the encyclopedia aside. It converse to so many topics with an authoritative voice that folks can belief.

You’re a uncommon useful resource on this planet of caviar. How did this occur?

It’s not one thing I ate rising up. We didn’t have caviar or oysters. The primary time I had caviar, it was a revelation. I used to be in Zurich for Artwork Basel with La Prairie they usually hosted a dinner at Baur au Lac. They have been strolling round with the largest tin of caviar I’ve ever seen. They requested me to place some on my hand. I requested what was taking place right here they usually stated, “Lick it off, crush the eggs on the roof of your mouth and luxuriate in.” It was my first caviar bump. I’ve by no means regarded again.

The phrase encyclopedia has this tome-like outdated design affiliation. How did you design an encyclopedia for 2022 and past?

I got here up with the concept whereas on a seaside. I imagined the wire frames in my head and the way I wished to arrange all of it. A variety of web sites have nice data nevertheless it’s exhausting to seek out. I designed this structure so that every touchdown web page—like caviar or champagne—will at all times have the identical one to seven featured tales on the high. Different tales will beneath that.

Finally, who’s your viewers?

That is for everybody that’s . I’ve written it to attraction to lots of people, with every little thing from actually entry-level data like what’s a crown on a watch to how tourbillons work and métiers d’artwork.

What manufacturers are doing luxurious properly?

I believe Hermès does an excellent job. Krug is incredible. The way in which the home remains to be so small permits it to create one thing so wealthy. When it comes to jewellery, I’m actually enthusiastic about small designers like Fernando Jorge.

Hero picture courtesy of Dom Perignon