In Which Girl Meets Wine...
You know the old story: girl goes to college in small town Washington, girl meets Wine, girl moves to the big city, girl makes wine, girl starts a blog...
I met Wine during my time at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. It's a great town for hobnobbing with excellent small wine producers!
Through weekend tastings and chatting with winemakers, I began to see just how much wine really is the intersection of art and science- Not only are the grapes from that hill over there different than the exact same grape variety from this hill over here just because of the different soil content or sun exposure (science!) but this winemaker can make a completely different wine than that winemaker using the exact same grapes (art!) I was hooked.
In 2007, I moved to Chicago to pursue my acting career, and in 2008 I got myself a place on the waiting list for Washington State University's extension certificate programs in Enology and Viticulture. I finished both programs in 2012 and subsequently made a few wines in the hall closet of my apartment. I have a very fun monthly Wines of the World tasting group with my friends (more on that later.) In spring of 2013, I began working at a nifty, non-snobby wine store (well, series of stores, really) in Chicago, and late in 2013, was asked to write for the International Wine Accessories blog.
I undertook this endeavor because, through my own experiences and in talking to friends and family, I realized that wine really is an intimidating subject with an often snooty reputation. It is also something that is useful to have a basic knowledge of, both socially and professionally. Furthermore, it is just plain delicious and I want to spread the joy. The past several years have really begun to demystify wine for me- a journey that my friends and family have encouraged me to share. So here I am!
Welcome and thanks for reading!
I met Wine during my time at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. It's a great town for hobnobbing with excellent small wine producers!
Through weekend tastings and chatting with winemakers, I began to see just how much wine really is the intersection of art and science- Not only are the grapes from that hill over there different than the exact same grape variety from this hill over here just because of the different soil content or sun exposure (science!) but this winemaker can make a completely different wine than that winemaker using the exact same grapes (art!) I was hooked.
In 2007, I moved to Chicago to pursue my acting career, and in 2008 I got myself a place on the waiting list for Washington State University's extension certificate programs in Enology and Viticulture. I finished both programs in 2012 and subsequently made a few wines in the hall closet of my apartment. I have a very fun monthly Wines of the World tasting group with my friends (more on that later.) In spring of 2013, I began working at a nifty, non-snobby wine store (well, series of stores, really) in Chicago, and late in 2013, was asked to write for the International Wine Accessories blog.
I undertook this endeavor because, through my own experiences and in talking to friends and family, I realized that wine really is an intimidating subject with an often snooty reputation. It is also something that is useful to have a basic knowledge of, both socially and professionally. Furthermore, it is just plain delicious and I want to spread the joy. The past several years have really begun to demystify wine for me- a journey that my friends and family have encouraged me to share. So here I am!
Welcome and thanks for reading!