Why do you drink wine? What about it fascinates you? Instead of getting my PhD, I want to do this......

From the beginning, I was attracted to the taste of wine. It was fruity, it was dry, it was fun to hold a wine glass and socialize. Little by little, as I learned more, I began to be fascinated by the object that is the wine grape(s) and how it lives, even after being harvested, in that wonderful bottle we all love to see and open. Wine is constantly changing, growing and alive.

If you open a wine bottle today, it will taste different than it might tomorrow. If you opened a bottle yesterday, it will taste different today. If you harvest a grape at the wrong time or if the weather has not been ideal, it can affect every grape in that region. That is where we learn about "good" or "bad" vintages. If Napa had really rainy weather one summer that caused build up of mold on the grapes or had to harvest early due to super hot weather, that wine may not be as great as other years. Or, it could have been perfect weather and every wine enthusiast is dying to get their hands on that wine. That said, we still love to see what happens if we leave it alone for years. Will it grow stronger? Will it age poorly? We truly never know until we take that cork and open the bottle days or even years later.

My love for wine and how it is made has led me to this goal: I plan to successfully pass the Level 1 Master of Wine test within the next 10 years to make me an official Sommelier. Now, mind you, I will not be a Master Sommelier. That goes up to Level 4 and is INSANE for what you need to know and the money it takes to get there. 10 YEARS?? Yes, I said 10 years. Why, you ask? Because not only do I have to hone my tasting skills, I also have to memorize the entire wine dictionary and continue learning more and more and more and more (pretty much everything) about wine before I can even drive over to beautiful New Orleans to take the test. Now, you all are my accountability on this now.....so, keep on me!

So, my first step? Our dear friends bought us the below book and course -

I began my lessons today and love it so far. Yes, I have already had to look up a few words but it is all in the name of learning.

Kevin Zraly includes video segments along with his book lessons that encourage you and provide a back ground to what you are about to read and learn. His first lesson - always have a glass of wine as you read! I think I'm gonna like this guy.......

In terms of my tasting chops, I have been generously offered by the wonderful owner of local Red or White wine shop to allow me to do their Saturday wine tastings blind. He is a Level 2 Sommelier and, I am sure, sympathetic for what it will take for me to complete my goal. Check around the areas you live in, friends, I am sure a shop would be happy to do the same for you!

So, I love learning and always wanted to go back to school to get my PhD. But, in the meantime, as I raise a family and take care of our home, I will focus my learning skills on wine. The PhD may have to wait a few years.....

Cheers!