You may not have heard of the organization, but in 1977, the Court of Master Sommeliers was established to provide a worldwide certification of 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 … [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.
Big Changes are Afoot for the 2013 Oregon Brewers Festival
The annual Oregon Brewers Festival is opening a day earlier this year. Starting next Wednesday, the 24th there will be a full five days of drinking on the waterfront.No more plastic cups. For $7, you will now be buying a 12.8 oz. glass (down from 14 oz. last year), which can be filled for four tokens. The one token taster size is now three ounces instead of four. The … [Read more...] about Big Changes are Afoot for the 2013 Oregon Brewers Festival
Do Large Ice Cubes in Cocktails Melt More Slowly? Is Ice Bad for Scotch?
This week SeriousEats.com plunged into Cocktail Science with "5 Myths About Ice, Debunked" by new writer Kevin Liu of Science Fare. For those who have spent time staring at a cocktail wondering whether those large ice cubes make a difference, this article is for you. It talks about what makes ice cloudy and how to make it clear, whether it is ok to add ice to Scotch, if … [Read more...] about Do Large Ice Cubes in Cocktails Melt More Slowly? Is Ice Bad for Scotch?
Two Events Benefit Dogs and More!
As a dog lover, a couple of events coming up this summer have caught my eye. The first is the "Canines Uncorked" License to Taste Passport and Wine Tour, which benefits the Oregon Humane Society.The event features complimentary wine tastings and activities for dog owners and their pets at more than a dozen dog-friendly wineries. "Guests and their furry friends will enjoy … [Read more...] about Two Events Benefit Dogs 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?