Wine 101 - Monday Nights at Bodega Bar Dallas

As I prepare for another adventure to Europe, I am reminded at just how complex our industry has become. 20 years ago, when I began my career in wine service, it seemed so simple. In your choices were Chablis (most likely California Chardonnay), White Zinfandel or Merlot. How times have changed? Not only does your local pub, with wine service out of 1.5L sitting at room temperature and been open longer than the waitress has been employed, serve a selection larger than 6 wines; but your fine dining restaurants are now expected carry and understand wine programs in the 100's. Oh, how times have changed.

Now wine professionals travel the globe to attend trade events that often barrel taste wines yet to be released just for an opportunity to stake claim to those few bottles that may one day mold your next memory. The sophisticated side of wine measures success in Quality and reputation not in production widgets and profitability. The wine industry goes against the grain of everything one learns in business school. Which is where the saying, "How do you make a small fortune in the wine business? Start with a large one!" comes from. Yet competition remains fierce as passions and love affairs with Vitis Vinifera remain so strong. Awards for wines and now awards for Sommeliers, producing an even more competitive environment for wine professionals.

Competition for awards and degrees have become a large part of the life of a Sommelier. Complex exams, blind tastings & wine service now separate on paper the knowledgeable from the enthusiast. In an Era where degrees count more than experience, Wine professionals are starting to see this trend as well. Most successful wine professional will agree, the best part of a career in wine is the study. The only way to learn is to have experience, and experience tastes so good. This year I set a goal of getting back to Europe (having a young child can have challenges in the traveling to Europe for weeks at a time department) & continuing the Master Court Sommelier course I started a couple of years ago (Pre-Baby.) I invite all of you to come along (Vicariously of Course.) I plan to make short video diaries of my travel, my classes & my general wine experiences.

Introducing Wine 101 - My Monday Night Classes. Attend my weekly classes as I prepare for upper level sommelier exams by teaching you the knowledge that I learn along the way. A class schedule is on our website under the link Wine 101. A short note: It is sad to see Crush close, if you have friends that used to go to Crush and don't have a new home (let's face it - a good wine bar is like a Home away from Home) tell them to come to Bodega Bar. Remember our Wine Fair is this Saturday and would be a great way to introduce new friends to Bodega Bar.


Cheers,

Amier