NEWA December Bulletin

Well, it looks as though winter has finally found the northeast. Plus, we finally have some decent rain in the forecast, so the pressure on the plants and lawns (looking ahead here) has lessened. We will see what a weak La Nina winter has in store, but so far it’s just a little cold and dreary.

New England Wine Academy Gift Certificates Make an Awesome Last-minute Gift
You can buy a gift certificate in any amount right up to or even past the holiday.
Follow this link to find 'em!
Everyone could use some knowledge, so why not a course with NEWA and WSET?

WSET UPDATE and Holiday Schedule Reminder
We have a number of course registrations quickly coming due. WSET has pulled back on the very restrictive dates that they have implemented in the past with regard to submitting registrations for courses ahead of the holiday break, but there are still some very obvious office closures around Christmas and New Year’s that will affect the registration days. Please take a look and sign up earlier than later if you are considering a class in early January. It will definitely be beneficial.

Also, if you are considering a WSET course as a gift for someone special, we have gift certificates available in any denomination. Or if you simply want to buy a class for someone else and keep it a surprise - let us know. We can hold the registrations until they are finally due so that your person will not receive an email for a class and blow a surprise before you can gift it. We are here and happy to work with all your needs.

Quick household update from my earlier post...
The kids have all left!
Yes, the last one left for Colorado just after Thanksgiving, and in the first week out there has settled in an apartment, gone on a date, and has even secured a job! Busy guy, but that is what 25 gets you. Sorry to see him so far away, but it has given us an opportunity (for obvious reasons) to travel to Boulder this winter - and that's just what we are doing.

Aside from my son being there, now, one of the things that has attracted my interest in going out to Boulder is that Bobby Stuckey, Master Sommelier, has a restaurant group in the Boulder area, and I have always wanted to check them out. Here is my chance, I guess. You can read about Mr Stuckey via this link and see his incredible restaurants. If you are really interested you can also find his wines available on national distribution. The label is called Scarpetta, and the wines are affordable and great tasting. I'll report back about the dining scene if I manage to get to one.

Speaking of Master Sommeliers - What is the deal with them and is it still a relevant title to pursue?
I get questions about the Court of Master Sommelier (Americas), titles, and processes, all the time. I am an Advanced Sommelier, which means I have passed what some people refer to as the Level 3 Somm exam. This was a three-day exam that involved (day one) a service presentation to two Master Somms, and then another service presentation to two Master Somms, all evaluating you on knowledge and execution of service standards, knowledge of products and menus, hospitality skills, and handling certain situational needs that may arise, and a bit of decanting. (Day 2) practical tasting of 6 wines in a blind setting in front of a panel of Master Sommeliers. Each wine is verbally dissected down the "grid" to draw a conclusion and hopefully identify as closely as possible the grape/style, vintage, and quality level. (Day 3) a multi-part written exam that starts with an evaluation of your knowledge of how to operate a beverage program and evaluate certain products in a professional setting, followed by a lengthy written theory exam. I prepared for this exam with hundreds - probably thousands - of hours of study over several years, with a somewhat extended delay due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021 - I passed in October of 2021 in St Louis, Mo.

This is just for the Level 3 / Advanced Sommelier exam, though.

The Master Exam is way harder and passed by very few people. Some say it's just a little too hard, and kept that way on purpose so the title MS is not overly extended. However you want to think of it, it's still exclusive and rigorous. Maybe one day a fella will get to it, but probably not.

​To get an up-to-date view of this title and what's involved you can check out this article that came out last week.

Do you like it mixed or straight?
Here is another pretty interesting article about the evolution of the cocktail. It came out this week and goes into depth about whether we are a mixed cocktail culture or a straight culture and what is the preferred way to enjoy your spirits. Personally, I like it both ways depending on the spirit, the occasion, the weather, etc. Take a peek and let me know your thoughts.

And finally back to the household...
As I believe I reported earlier, kid #3 had moved to Michigan earlier this fall. The update is that she is now working as an EMT, and boy is she starting to accumulate some stories. The daily routine is not really a routine. The people she encounters - often on their worst day - are just amazing. It's a real eye-opener to see how people live, how they handle often terrible situations, and how they persevere through life. I am blown away by how she (my kid) handles herself in these situations - and even thrives on the job. Steady nerves and lots of kindness. Good things to think about.

Happy holidays to all and have a great start to your 2025, if I don’t see you before.

Did I mention we have gift certificates?