I’m Jamie, a thirty-something girl originally from the Chicago suburbs but transplanted to the Milwaukee area, whose interest in wine continues to grow. While I always enjoyed the delicious glass with my parents or out with friends, I was never one to dive any deeper into the makings of these wines, or truly give much thought about what I was drinking. I generally trusted – and enjoyed! – my parents selections, favoring a robust Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon. While these are probably two of the most common types of wine people drink today, I recently realized there is much to learn about them, and beyond.

With the launch of a new year (2018), I resolved to broaden my exploration into wine: to not only taste new varietals, but also delve deeper into what goes into the bottle…and what better excuse than this to open a new bottle of wine each week!

Inspired by a challenge I found – to ‘try at least 34 of the 55 varietals’ listed in one of my wine books – my goal is to travel the world through wine and expand my horizons. I’m more of a red girl myself and would never willingly order a ‘sweet’ wine, but in order to increase my appreciation of the beverage and refine my palate, I’m up for the challenge!

Since embarking on the blog and podcast journeys, I tested my knowledge through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). In March 2019, I sat for the Level II in Wine & Spirits and passed – with distinction! In 2020, my sights are focused on becoming a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society for Wine Educators – online classes and at-home studying are underway! I continue to look for more opportunities to advance my knowledge of this beautiful world, where science and art marry together to make this delicious beverage.

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If you have any suggestions for wines to drink, regions to study, or just plain want to chat about wine, please share with me! Happy (and safe) drinking!

Cheers,

Jamie