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Reflections on 2019

By Mark Law 1 Comment

Upon reflection, 2019 began and ended for me in the same way: with fireworks. I was working on both occasions, with not a bad vantage point for Sydney's famous New Year's Eve fireworks display. But just because the year began and ended similarly, it … [Read more...]

January 4, 2020 Filed Under: Day In The Life

How To Pass Advanced Theory: Flash Cards

By Mark Law Leave a Comment

Before my first attempt at the Advanced Sommelier Exam, I did not use flash cards. It just seemed a step too far, a blunt instrument to be used as a last resort when nothing else worked. Even the Green Pin Manifesto (credit: Jaime Pinedo), a resource I … [Read more...]

October 8, 2019 Filed Under: Day In The Life, Thinking Sober

How To Pass Advanced Theory: Journaling

By Mark Law 1 Comment

The unexamined life is not worth living.Socrates If I could point out one thing that changed my life this year, it would be Journaling. I had kept journals and diaries before, but they were never structured or consistent. I would go to a stationary … [Read more...]

October 1, 2019 Filed Under: Day In The Life, Thinking Sober

Advanced Sommelier Exam – Second Attempt

By Mark Law 4 Comments

Disclaimer: The following is purely a recollection of my own experience of preparing and sitting for the Advanced Sommelier exam. The Court of Master Sommeliers may choose to alter the format of the examination in the future. I take no responsibility if … [Read more...]

September 24, 2019 Filed Under: Day In The Life

A Sommelier’s Apology

By Mark Law Leave a Comment

I can't give you a sure-fire formula for success, but I can give you a formula for failure: try to please everybody all the time.Herbert Bayard Swope - American editor and journalist, first recipient of the Pulitzer Prize I had the pleasure of dining at a … [Read more...]

January 22, 2019 Filed Under: Day In The Life, Thinking Sober

We Are Not Rational Drinkers

By Mark Law 2 Comments

Four years ago I started this website with a single goal - to apply rationality to wine. It seemed like a simple idea - know what you want, know what to look for, and you will be able to find the right wine every time. Without training, most of us would just … [Read more...]

January 8, 2019 Filed Under: Thinking Sober

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