In all my years of wine tasting, I’ve never had theopportunity to talk wine with three other bloggers (the 4th couldn’tmake it and one of the three is also a wine educator), two in the wine serviceindustry, one winemaker and other students from DiMaggio Washington’s wineappreciation classes: Denise Lowe, Claudia Sheridan, Heidi Wiss, BethGreenwald, Mark Gilbert, David Langaard, Danise Davis, Cathy Martin andmoi.
David brought an aroma kit, Cathy brought veggies, fruits,nuts and spices from her home. Westarted in the kitchen with these while fellow students arrived.
I had recently pulled some “drink now” wines….actually morelike “drink two years ago” wine to share. (Andthank you Eddie for finally, via this WSET education, believing me but havingguests that knew the difference. Yes, we are he is guilty of letting a Twomey Merlot and a Pride Merlot go too long…I think they were 03s.)
Once we retired to my dining room, sliding an extra chair infor nine, I asked guests to introduce themselves and share their “winestory”. I knew this would taketime, but heck, it had to be done.
Some discussion ensued over whether we should use the textor the study guide. I allowed myplans to be changed as I trusted the judgment of others – Heidi – and foragedahead.
Denise was able to fill in as our educator when needed,David kept us on track through discussions on aroma, taste and foodpairings. I went off target tocomplain about wine labels. Cathywas there to fill us in on winemaking but…we didn’t get that far.
Then I had my great wine epiphany. Here was this group, with a shared passion for studyingwine, and I had to wonder…wouldn’t this kind of passion transfer to otherthings? If we could slow down themoment to think about what we’re drinking, weren’t we the same kind of peopleto slow down a moment to think about what we are eating?
Then, the natural progression of that thought for me was,didn’t we all take the time to slow down every moment and examine it? Whether we were doing it all of thetime or not, our wine enthusiasm and study allowed for it.
My conclusion? Wine drinkers are more spiritual. We take the time, live in the moment,study and reflect. My wineepiphany became a spiritual awakening. And whilst I shared by thoughts with my group, I got some nods, but inthe end it might have been chalked up to my own drinking habits that night, asin closing, one of the other students reminded me that there would be no timefor epiphanies when I had to taste no less than 47 wines in the next twoclasses with DiMaggio.
Ah, the pressure of continued epiphanies…
To be continued…
What in the heck is WSET? I asked DiMaggio: “Hello to allinterested in the WSET wine program. There are several internationally knowninstitutions providing serious wine course programs. The Court of Masters, theISG and the WSET (Wine Spirit Education and Trust) out of London. Theseprograms provide an avenue to become a Sommelier. There are various Sommelierlevels. A Sommelier, a Certified Sommelier, anAdvanced Sommelier and a Master Sommelier and there is also a Master of Wine.I’m offering an Intermediate Level for the WSET, this is a 16 hour program witha recommended (32 hours home study) and a 1 hour exam. You will also tastethrough 48 wines from 12 countries of Regions. At some point you may choose toapply for taking the Certified Sommelier Exam (hosted by the Court of Masters)or continue with your education for the Advance level and Master Level. I hopethis is of some help to all interested.” Contact: DiMaggio@TheCellarWBR.com
