Question: How many Master Sommeliers participated in the national conference/AGM this past week at the Inn at Spanish Bay in Monterey? In what was truly an awesome event, big thanks need to go out to Jay Fletcher, the current American Chairman, Kathleen Lewis, our CEO, and Fred Dame, well, need one say more about Fred (!), for putting on such a great experience. Kudos!

Who woulda thunk it 23 plus years ago, that in 2010 there would be over 100 American Masters, plus one each in Canada and in Chile forming what is now known as the Court of Master Sommeliers- Americas, embracing our compadres to the north and to the south. As an early MS, we thought we’d be about 15-20 of us hanging out at the Veterans Home in Yountville, slogging down Cabernet Sauvignon, and telling war stories as it were at this point. Well, how time can prove one so wrong. Continue reading »

This recent few weeks has found me (again) in Asia but this time not in Korea, rather Hong Kong followed by Singapore. As the MS ‘brand’ continues to grow, Hong Kong is a new market for us, the nightly table provided great fodder for recapping the day, planning for tomorrow and of course letting our proverbial hair down after being in classroom and/or examination mode all day.

While the jet lag is tough and the work load formidable, the local dining makes up in part for the wear and tear on the body. Impeccable Chinese food in Hong Kong (the whole roast pig was extraordinary) and a delightful mix of cuisine in Singapore (including my de rigeur share of Char Kway Teo, a sublime noodle dish), all washed down with tasty wines and non-stop great stories. On one of these occasions, with a bunch of folks in tow, I did what I so often do and asked the table about their memorable food and wine experiences. Continue reading »

Hard to believe that only a matter of weeks after coming back from South Korea that I am back in Asia- this time in Hong Kong and then Singapore. No wine judging this time out, this trip is MS driven as the Court continues its courses and ‘brand building’ in Asia. Hong Kong is an amazing city with a growing interest in wine fueled by the elimination of tariff on imported wines this past year. A trip to most any premium wine store will leave you amazed at the availability here. Continue reading »

I spent some time in Singapore this past month during my ten-day trip to Asia. One of the most important multicultural spots in the world, it was wonderful to be back. The interest in wine in Southeast Asia is explosive and indeed the core reason for this visit was to hold the second annual master sommelier introductory course (as well as a certified sommelier exam for about three dozen candidates who took the level one course last year).

As a board member of the Court of Master Sommeliers driving the international expansion outside of USA and Europe, I have been fortunate enough to teach students from all over as the Court of Master Sommeliers ventures into the Pacific Rim. In addition to Singapore, we are now in our third year in New Zealand, launching Melbourne and Sydney in Australia and will be kicking off Hong Kong in 2009. All very exciting as the world of wine becomes more passionate and more global. Continue reading »