Welcome to Wine Virtuoso

I have chosen to write about wine because it is part of my life.....

There are so many articles and blogs about wine these days it is hard to think of something original. I have worked in the wine distribution business for over eight years now with over a decade in the restaurant business to back that up and the subject of wine still entices me. There is so much to discover in a bottle of wine such as learning about the place in which it was made, the family history of the producer, and whether mother nature has put her stamp of approval on a particular vintage.

I have sampled countless bottles of wine and worked with producers from around the world and am preparing to sit an exam for a Certified Wine Educator. My aspirations are to help remove the mystique that often goes along with walking into a wine department or looking at a restaurant wine list and being able to choose a style of wine for yourself, or as a gift. Most importantly wine is meant to promote conversation around the dinner table, to relax, engage in great conversation, and to awaken the senses. I often have many requests to find that great bottle of wine that was enjoyed at a restaurant or while on a vacation, and often times it is not so much about the wine that they drank but the place and the time that inspired, mostly to relive that moment.

The history of wine spans over thousands of years and to truly understand and appreciate the culture I find it necessary to peel back the layers by talking about the history, discussing varieties and styles that are produced, to focus on specific producers, and to incorporate food and wine pairings to provoke your creative side. 

There is an extraordinary amount of information to cover when examining the grape including history, culture, chemistry, wine faults, viticulture, wine production, tasting, health, and wine etiquette and service. Along with areas of production to include France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Central and Eastern Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, United States and North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. With each country incorporating specific laws of production and winemaking practices, all while creating their own unique style.

I am currently in the study mode for my exam and intend to cover varieties in this blog starting from the most common to the obscure with intentions of covering any topics that I stumble upon along the way.  I do believe that there is a style of wine out there for anyone who enjoys an adult beverage on occasion and hope to broaden the horizons for those who choose to follow this blog. So grab a glass and enjoy your favorite wine while you join me for a trip around the world.