You may not have heard of the organization, but in 1977, the Court of Master Sommeliers was established to provide a worldwide certification in the art, science, and history that is required to become a sommelier. The exam is brutal. Over the past forty years, only 211 candidates worldwide have earned the Master Sommelier Diploma.The feature-length documentary follows four … [Read more...] about The Movie “Somm”, Raises the Curtain on the Master Sommelier Exam
News Stories Relating to Alcoholic Beverages
This covers all of our posts about alcohol: wine, beer, cider and spirits. You'll find all sorts of interesting stories here, new businesses, classes and more.
I’m Rated Out! Do Wine Ratings Mean Anything?
By Ken ColluraAs a professional wine buyer and an active consumer, I'm inundated with ratings. Each major wine publication has seemingly hundreds of them each month. If that wasn't enough, they're encountered in big, bold numerals everywhere wines are sold. You'll see them in newspaper ads, on shelf-talkers, and neck-hangers on the bottles themselves.I admit I'm … [Read more...] about I’m Rated Out! Do Wine Ratings Mean Anything?
Wine Musings: Meeting Royalty
Penne all’Arrabbiata This great wine piece by Darryl Joannides includes a recipe for Penne all'Arrabbiata. It was late January 1997 and a particularly dark, wet, and dreary winter’s day. We were on the back end of a 3-week trip driving all over the Italian peninsula and beginning to get that type of weary that sets in when you’ve been away a long time and constantly on the … [Read more...] about Wine Musings: Meeting Royalty
All About Wine and Food Pairings
Another popular article from the past, by Ken ColluraHave you ever tried Coca-Cola with a steak? Or coffee? How about a margarita?Each of these beverages can be seen accompanying steaks around town on a nightly basis. I know that everyone has different taste buds, but the thought of something sweet and effervescent mingling with a medium-rare New York Strip? … [Read more...] about All About Wine and Food Pairings
Wine Paraphernalia – Corkscrews, Decanters, Glassware, Etc.
Food Dude Article #9 (Wine Paraphernalia) By Ken ColluraI've never cared for the term "Wine Collector." To my way of thinking, a collection is something that has been passionately assembled, shined up and cataloged, then put out on display. I'm not so sure this expression should apply to wine, per se. Bottles of wine should never be put on pedestals like Giacometti … [Read more...] about Wine Paraphernalia – Corkscrews, Decanters, Glassware, Etc.