For anyone interested in persuing their Advanced, Master level, or just want to keep up with blind tasting, here is the 2024 revised Court of Master Sommeliers Tasting Grid. I've always used my own grid and the international competition standards that include: Food pairings Service temperature Ageability Service glass (Chablis, White Burgundy, Bordeaux) Decanting (Yes/No) However, this is your Bible that you would need to commit to memory. Every box and description, with a consistent order. Starting in 2024, the CMS-A will no longer use the terms “Old World” and “New World ..read more

Wine grapes that are long gone from the Bordeaux blend. Before the wrath of phylloxera hit the French department of Gironde and commune of Libourne, the wine region of Bordeaux had over three dozen varieties of grapes planted and available for winemaking. As with many other natural disasters, there is a simple process of elimination. Animals and plants may become extinct, or reduced to a endangered level.  Grape growers that did not have the financial capabilities to replant, went out of business. Châteaux that did, perhaps decided to only keep the ..read more

Durante muchos años quise compartir mi contenido en español. Como Guatemalteco, espero inspirar a futuros sommeliers latinos a lograr sus diplomas de Master Sommelier. Traduje la tabla de degustación deductiva de CMS al español, que hemos utilizado para los cursos de introducción en América del Sur. El examen certificado se ha realizado en español y estos términos han sido respuestas aceptables. Haga click para descargar For many years I wanted to share my content in Spanish. As a native Guatemalan, I hope to inspire future Spanish speaking sommeliers to achieve their Master Sommelier diplomas ..read more

  One of my favorite Guatemalan dishes, Pepian is full of rich, earthy flavors, colorful spices and aromas. It’s similar to Mexican moles but does not include chocolate. The recipe looks complicated but it is relatively easy to make as long as you have all the ingredients. I have most of them always available in my pantry but you can find them in most grocery stores. Pepian can be made with different meats including chicken, pork, or beef, or even keep it vegetarian. When I make it with chicken I like to use the whole bird with the bones as it adds more flavor. For pork-based, then somet ..read more

Originally published on Redfin February 14, 2020 - By Lexi Klinkenberg Some days there’s nothing better than coming home from work and pouring yourself a nice glass of wine. Whether you prefer white or red, having the proper storage arrangement for your wine can be critical. If you live somewhere warm like Florida, it is very important to make sure your wine is kept at a moderate temperature and away from the sun. There are many other factors that go into storing wine that can often be overlooked. If you want to learn more about how you should and shouldn’t store wine in your ..read more

The Food Chain Sommeliers: Wine waiters uncorked Master sommeliers are the elite of the global wine industry - only a few hundred people have claimed the title over the last 50 years. It can take decades of training and cost thousands of dollars, and the final exam has been described as one of the hardest in the world. Master sommelier Fernando Beteta tells Tamasin Ford why it's so difficult. Release date: 05 December 2019 Duration: 2 minutes CLIP HERE Sommeliers are to a restaurant’s wine what a head chef is to its food. These waiters taste and study thousands of bottles, and the best can ..read more

Prezi created by Fernando Beteta, MS! This “Prezi” was used for my German Wine Masterclass on June 18th 2019. The seminar and tasting covers brief human history, soils, modern age wine laws, grapes and regions. The prezi is best viewed in full page format. List of wines tasted: Producer                                                     ..read more

View fullsize Red Shale and Hayseed, herbal aroma View fullsize Sandstone and Apricots View fullsize Shell limestone and Mango View fullsize Porphyry and minerality View fullsize Gneiss and Quince and smoke View fullsize Loess-Loam and Grapefruit View fullsize Keuper and Honeydew melon View fullsize Blue Slate and Green Apple Book Source: "Riesling" the full diversity of the world's noblest vine from Christina Rischer and Ingo Swobada Red Shale and Hayseed, Herbal aromas High iron in the soil give the red color and a typical example is from the Roter Hang in Rheinhessen or the Ürziger ..read more

Here are hundreds of Jeopardy-style practice questions I put together for you. If you already subscribe to my mailing list, you will recognize the categories and format. I usually send out 10 questions per category. These are mostly EXPERT level if you’re studying for a higher sommelier certification. As a disclaimer, these are NOT past, present or future Court of Master Sommelier questions. Just hundreds of questions that I personally wrote for this group. Good luck! Burgundy                    &nb ..read more

Blind Tasting these seven wines. My tasting notes and conclusions. View fullsize Mosel Riesling View fullsize Riesling Spatlese View fullsize California Chardonnay View fullsize Chardonnay California View fullsize Malbec View fullsize Malbec View fullsize Chianti Classico View fullsize Chianti Classico View fullsize Rioja Gran Reserva View fullsize Rioja Gran Reserva View fullsize ..read more