Let’s Begin at the Beginning

Hello out there! Whether you’re just getting into wine, know nothing about it or want the advice of a certain sarcastic 25-year veteran in the wine business, search no further!

I’ve been drinking wine since I was 14. Please don’t judge me. It was a few sips given by family members to help me understand the effects of alcohol and possibly understand the nuances of wine pairing. One of my first memories was of my dear Uncle Paul expressing fury over someone adding apple juice to a Puligny Montrachet. I didn’t understand then the significance of this egregious act but certainly do now.

I often get asked how I got into this career. After college I discovered you could have a career selling wine. It’s not something that’s really marketed.  First, I worked for a liquor store, then at a restaurant, then for a small distributor, a large distributor, a supplier, another supplier, started my own importer and worked for another winery. It’s taken me over 25 years progressing through the wine world. I also earned a Diploma from the Wine and Spirits Education trust, a certification earned by only roughly 180 people a year globally. I had to learn about the soil, the grapes, the climate, the designations and regulations to all regions. I had to be able to blind taste wine (or spirits) and tell you the vintage, grape and region it was from. There were several levels before this and it took me years to accomplish. I also obtained a level of Certified Wine Educator from the Society of WIne Educators. After explaining this lengthy process, most people’s eyes glaze over and realize this isn’t something you just fall into.

But here’s the thing, the joy of wine is really in sharing a good meal with friends and family and adding a wine that enhances the experience. For young foodies, you’re missing a big component of a wonderful meal by foregoing this experience. It’s not something you chug. A glass of wine or two is certainly less caloric and more interesting than chugging four canned cocktails.

So where do you start? What’s your favorite wine? What’s a good wine? I’ll dive into this further in upcoming articles. But here’s a quick answer: It’s not the most expensive or the highest-rated. Stay tuned for more.