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Growing as a Sommelier

By Mark Law Leave a Comment

Looking back, it’s hard to imagine how quickly time has passed.

Days go by. Then months. Finally, years.

More surprising is how much I have grown as a sommelier.

On a day to day basis, I suppose I never really felt that much has changed. I’m still doing the same work, chatting with the same guests and constantly wondering to myself: am I improving?

Certainly I’ve developed greater confidence when working the floor. There will always be those busy nights when you feel everything is out of control, but I just need to remind myself to focus and get things done.

I have studied, and continue to study, to broaden my knowledge on all things related to wine.

I continue to taste wines often to expand my palate and memory for aromas and flavours.

I have kept notes.

In short, I’ve just been doing what I have always been doing.

The Somm Koan

Sometimes, you will meet a person who asks something nonsensical of you.

Recently, I was asked to recommend a dessert wine that was not sweet.

A dessert wine that was not sweet? What was this, a zen koan?

A moment passed, then I remembered and offered an Amontillado Sherry.

They loved it.

If you had asked me a year ago, I would never have thought of sherry at all.

Consistency Works

Keep working.

Keep studying.

Accumulate knowledge.

Arrive at simplicity.

That’s all I’ve been doing, and that’s what I will continue to do.

Read more: Essential #7 – Wine Classes

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March 28, 2017 Filed Under: Day In The Life

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