Learn About Wine: WSET
If you have questions or are confused about the different types of wine education and wine titles, search no further. In this blog I will explain the Wine and Spirit Educational Trust (WSET) path of education and hopefully answer your questions. In a previous blog I discussed the Sommelier education path. Both are valuable course of study but differ slightly in their focus, delivery, and tasting model. The Wine and Spirit Education Trust was established in...
Read MoreLearn About Wine: Advanced
If you are looking to advance your wine knowledge or are interested in influencing or teaching others about wine, there a few directions you can go: • Society of Wine Educators – Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), Certified Wine Educator (CWE), Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS), and Hospitality/Beverage Specialist Certificate (HBSC) • Institute of Masters of Wine – Masters of Wine (MW) • The Court of Master Sommeliers — Master...
Read MoreWashington State Wine Tours: List of Regions
1. Yakima Valley You can find at least 60 different wineries here. The emphasis is on Syrah and Riesling, but with so many wineries, you’re bound to find more. 2. Walla Walla Valley This region has seen a fair bit of growth with almost 100 wineries here. The big emphasis is on cabernet sauvignon. You’ll also see Merlot, Chardonnay, and Syrah grapes coming from this region. 3. Columbia Valley The Columbia Valley is definitely Washington State’s wine...
Read MoreWashington State Wine Country: The Beginner’s Guide
When some people think about a wine getaway, they immediately assume they’ll be booking a flight across the ocean to somewhere in Europe. After all, French or Italian wines are some of the best, right? No argument there. France and Italy makes some wonderful wines. But, if you live in Western Canada or the Western United States, Washington is a fantastic place to book a wine tour or a wine getaway. It’s close, local, and you’ll speak the language. Washington State...
Read MoreWine Travel 101: Travelling with Wine in your Bags
Travelling and world-class wine almost always go hand-in-hand. Especially if you’ve planned a special wine tour in a far-away location. But, what about if this happens: You’ve just spent one of the best weeks of your life touring around the Loire Valley, sampling some of the best wines money can buy. A few bottles really spoke to you, so you bought them to take home. Now, you have to take them home. What to do? Do you wrap the bottles in a towel, shove them in the middle of your...
Read MoreThe Bellini Drink: How to Make and All About It
Now that summer is in full force, it’s time to break out the summery drinks. And one of the best summer drinks you can make is the Bellini. Refreshing. Cool. “Peachy.” The primary ingredient in a Bellini is sparkling wine. You can use any sparkling wine you like, but a classic Bellini uses Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine. Here’s your shopping list for Bellinis: Sparkling wine (Prosecco preferred, but any will do) peach liquor peach nectar fresh peaches For an added twist,...
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