Meet Stig André Jacobsen from Fun Fuel!
Next to being a technology advisor, Stig André Jacobsen is one of the three founders of Fun Fuel. His interest for wine became more serious during his years in university, as he was studying for his master's degree in organic chemistry, through lectures from for example Vinmonopolet.
«From the perspective of a chemist, these were very exciting lectures and excursions. Wine is a very complex product, with mange interesting chemical processes and compounds," Stig says.
From organic chemistry to wine import
After completing his studies, Stig chose to enter a different industry then organic chemistry. As he had taken all the interdisciplinary courses for natural sciences, and then some, there were other alternative markets that were more attractive at the time.
«I have always been focused on seeing opportunities, and at the time I completed my studies, it was a much more interesting market within the IT-industry. This was an opportunity I wanted to further explore," Stig elaborates.
The interest for wine has gradually developed throughout the years for Stig. He says that especially as his economy changed from that of a student, he was able to further develop his hobby through trying out other types of wine than those on the bottom shelf.
«Of course, when you get the option of testing a wider selection, you have brand new wine- and food experiences," Stig says. "This helped foster my interest for wine."
New wine experiences give other preferences
Another aspect of deepening his interest for wine, which Stig has found interesting, was being challenged on his preferences through exposure to a wider selection of wines. He finds that people are often very conservative when it comes to wine, himself included, and that they often have clear opinions on what wines they like and what wines they don't like. This is something he has experienced when testing new wines too.
«When I was younger, I would be very determined when stating that I didn't like dry champagne or wines made from the grape Cabernet Sauvignon. Time has shown me that none of these statements are true," Stig says smilingly. "It has more to do with not having tasted the right wines yet, or not being conscious enough of quality and preferences."
Old plans become reality
After a trip to Australia in 2020 with Jostein Ausland from Fun Fuel, the plans of starting a wine import company, which they had talked about for a long time, got more serious. When they had Endre Weibye as part of the team as well, the plans became reality.
«This is something we have been talking about for a long time, because we thought it would be fun to create something new and exciting with friends you share a hobby with. It started out with the typical 'wouldn't it be fun it...' talks, before the trip to Australia made us actually start the process," Stig says.
Now that Stig has been a wine importer for two years, he appreciates the new knowledge the process has given him. He elaborates on routines, standards and formal requirements he had never worked with before, and that were different from those he had previously worked with.
«Coming from someone who has managed, and still is managing companies in other industries, operating in the wine industry takes totally different things from you. One of the most exciting parts of being in the wine business for me, is taking a given wine and imagining what setting it is suitable for, who might like it, and what food you can pair it with," Stig explains.