Have you ever wondered whether a wine that smells of sun-ripened peaches came from a vineyard next to an orchard? Or whether the chalky note in an Old World wine sprang right from the soil into your glass? Where do the scents found in wine come from?Given how little we know about the mechanics of taste […]
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Ah, the classic Sideways. I am a professional sommelier, and I won’t lie. I’ve watched every wine movie that has ever come out, even the romantic comedies. Why? Because when you’re into wine, you want to know all about it, and you want it to be part of every aspect of your life. Of course, […]
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Although a lot of ink has been spilled over diversity in the wine trade, our industry seems to be exempt from much of the #blacklivesmatter and #metoo social movements. Sadly, almost nothing has changed since highly damning news reports started coming out regarding racism and sexual violence at the Court of Master Sommeliers. Old Boys […]
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Wine has been a hot topic for millennia, entwined with our culture like no other libation. Wine is fun, engaging, desirable, and posh; it’s the one drink you must study to understand fully. Whether we talk about provenance or grape varieties, wine producers or vintage variations, terroir or technology, the wine universe is immense.It’s no […]
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Online Wine ClassesOnline wine classes are nothing new. Highly respected wine institutions like Wine Spectator and the University of California at Davis have offered online courses for years. Interest in such programs was initially high, but these programs did not attract a large audience. The truth was they were clunky and confusing for the end-user. […]
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When you get bitten by the wine bug, you can’t stop thinking of the precious buzzy liquid. Wine is complex and satisfying because it’s about learning and learning some more; the more you know about wine and its nuances, the more you can enjoy each glass.If you think about it, wine is everywhere, from hotels to […]
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The influence of French cuisine in our culture is undeniable. It has inspired chefs around the world for generations. As interpreted by talented chefs like Escoffier and Bocuse, classic French cuisine will never go out of fashion. Distinct regions divide France, each with deeply rooted cooking traditions. But one thing unites them all: wine. Whether we’re […]
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Pairing food and wine is an innovative endeavor. Experimentation is part of mastering this exquisite craft, yet some pairings are so good that we go back to them again and again.These are the classic food and wine pairings, and although they’re not written in stone, consider them your culinary loadstars. Classics are known to spark […]
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Food and Wine Pairing Basics for the Aspiring SommelierPairing food and wine is one of the most exciting tasks for a sommelier. But it is also challenging: it takes a serious amount of expertise and experience to perform at the highest level. The best time to study this craft is while earning your L4 sommelier […]
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Appetizers or hors d’oeuvres are small dishes designed to be appreciated before dinner. They awaken the appetite and build anticipation for the main event. It is customary to have an ample array of appetizers in a formal setting; however, these can be as simple as pigs in a blanket or as lavish as imperial Russian […]
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