Budman
Master of Wine
Posts:11834
 | | 09/08/2005 11:44 PM |
| Mary... if you want to become a wine expert, you have to post here a LOT more often!!!  | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15711
| | 09/09/2005 4:27 AM |
| Budman speak truth.
Sheep lie. | | | |
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Budman
Master of Wine
Posts:11834
| | 09/09/2005 11:09 AM |
| Quote:
Sheep lie.
davidn.... one of my alltime favorite jokes!!! | | | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts:12891
| | 09/09/2005 6:02 PM |
| Quote:
Quote:
Sheep lie.
davidn.... one of my alltime favorite jokes!!!
it would be you pickle slicer  | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15711
| | 09/10/2005 8:49 AM |
| Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Sheep lie.
davidn.... one of my alltime favorite jokes!!!
it would be you pickle slicer
ta da! The Aristocrats! | | | |
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"D"
Grape Truck Driver
Posts:40
| | 09/16/2005 8:55 AM |
| Hello Mary,
David Glancy is the perfect guy to “teach” the right stuff about wine in this area. I passed the introduction level (or I was almost killed by friends who are MS) and now i should go for the advanced. During the two days of fun David was one of the spokesman. He was amazing guy, easy to listen and to understand. I was really impressed by him. I’m in the sommelier family for over 15 years and I can promise you I can not say this about so many of them. You do not become a MS without work!!! A friend of mine got it 6 months ago and he told me that he took him almost 7 years of work to get it. Just this mean respect!!! For the guys who do not believe in sommeliers, maybe the answer is that the never talk to a real one!!!!!
Best regards
D | | | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts:12891
| | 09/16/2005 1:28 PM |
| Quote:
Hello Mary,
David Glancy is the perfect guy to “teach” the right stuff about wine in this area. I passed the introduction level (or I was almost killed by friends who are MS) and now i should go for the advanced. During the two days of fun David was one of the spokesman. He was amazing guy, easy to listen and to understand. I was really impressed by him. I’m in the sommelier family for over 15 years and I can promise you I can not say this about so many of them. You do not become a MS without work!!! A friend of mine got it 6 months ago and he told me that he took him almost 7 years of work to get it. Just this mean respect!!! For the guys who do not believe in sommeliers, maybe the answer is that the never talk to a real one!!!!!
Best regards
D
board-o,
did you read that? you've just never dealt with a real one. 
i actually enjoy the somm experience. i take the time to listen, then i just order what i want. i love to hear people talk about wine, so it can be a nice experience. | | | |
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JimmyV
Central Connecticut
Wine Connoisseur
Posts:5015
| | 09/16/2005 1:33 PM |
| Quote:
i actually enjoy the somm experience. i take the time to listen, then i just order what i want. i love to hear people talk about wine, so it can be a nice experience.
I'm sort of in the same camp. If the somm is pleasant and not overbearing, I'll listen to what he/she has to say. But I generally order what I want and will note their recommendations for future retail experimentation. I hate spending 3x what a wine is worth if there is a chance that I will be unpleasantly surprised. | |
Beta testing a new signature. | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts:11169
| | 09/16/2005 2:45 PM |
| | I certainly try not to talk to any of them, real or fake. I don't want what they're pushing and I prefer to make my own decision without their pompous interference. I will make one exception. If I ever go to the Ukraine, I'll ask the sommelier(e) what local wine to order. By the way, I'll never go to the Ukraine, so I feel safe with that exception. | | | |
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"D"
Grape Truck Driver
Posts:40
| | 09/16/2005 8:07 PM |
| I can appreciate your perspective - I have experienced much the same. However, please understand that most sommeliers lack the specialized training. They are nothing more than glamorized waiters. But you only need to be in the presense of a true sommelier, highly trained and knowledgeable - only then can you appreciate their expertise. He will be modest and insightful. He will be honest and informative. He will listen to the vintages you have previously enjoyed, then ask if you would like to expand on that experience to possibly try another type of wine or he may suggest a complete departure from your palates experience. A true sommelier is not there to push you - he is there to provide his expertise in an effort to guide you to a new tasting experience. I myself am a trained sommelier I pride myself on my modesty, sensitivity, and professionalism.
A "sommelier" who tries to test your knowledge or snub your questions - is clearly unprofessional and irreputable. I suggest the next time that happens, you speak to the management of the restaurant or bring your own bottle.
Best regards,
D | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15711
| | 09/17/2005 1:22 AM |
| Quote:
Hello Mary,
David Glancy is the perfect guy to “teach” the right stuff about wine in this area. I passed the introduction level (or I was almost killed by friends who are MS) and now i should go for the advanced. During the two days of fun David was one of the spokesman. He was amazing guy, easy to listen and to understand. I was really impressed by him. I’m in the sommelier family for over 15 years and I can promise you I can not say this about so many of them. You do not become a MS without work!!! A friend of mine got it 6 months ago and he told me that he took him almost 7 years of work to get it. Just this mean respect!!! For the guys who do not believe in sommeliers, maybe the answer is that the never talk to a real one!!!!!
Best regards
D
Dragisa is obviousely a very astute person.
1/ He recommended David Glancy as I did earlier on this thread.
2/ He is absolutely correct about the difference between a "waiter assigned to be a somm" and a somm who has passed even just the introduction level course. Look for the little lapel pin.
3/ He lives in the South Bay.
4/ His favorite winery is Chateau d'Yquem. Isn't there another very astute fellow on this board that digs thatdessert stuff  ... SWEET stuff ? | | | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts:12891
| | 09/17/2005 2:34 AM |
| dragisa,
pay no mind to board-o. he's old and a bit ornery, but we love him  | | | |
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"D"
Grape Truck Driver
Posts:40
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts:12891
| | 09/17/2005 10:15 AM |
| | you'll never change his mind about somms | | | |
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wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12003
| | 09/17/2005 12:45 PM |
| Quote:
you'll never change his mind about somms
Yep, it's more like trying to co-exist in the same space at the same time. | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
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rjs3
NJ
Barrel Filler
Posts:1124
| | 11/16/2005 6:10 PM |
| | But wouldn't everyone love to be one? I would, but I would hate the schedule. | | | |
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GATC
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2420
| | 12/04/2005 7:34 PM |
| I have to say that I hate sommeliers in general, even though I have a few good ones. I can relate to other people who also hate sommeliers (they tend to be the most knowledgable people on the forum) because in the history of eating in fine restaurants, the most negative experiences that one runs into is the pompous sommeliers that know less than the wines YOU LOVE. They may know more about ALL wines in general, but I have yet to meet one that know as much about the wines I love.
At least the good ones (e.g. French Laundry) knows enough to know that you know more about that wine than they do.
To say that you will have a bad experience with a sommelier is being predjudiced. To be prepared to have a bad experience with a sommelier is being smart. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts:11169
| | 12/04/2005 7:42 PM |
| | GREAT POST, GATC! | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15711
| | 12/04/2005 7:48 PM |
| Quote:
other people who also hate sommeliers (they tend to be the most knowledgable people on the forum)
I still like a "real" sommelier... not to be confused with some crazy wannabes.
They are full of knowledge. Go to their level (assuming it is lower than your own) and one can get the "inside" on bottles in the cellar, etc. just work them. Don't go in knowing you are going to hate them.
Just remember, there was a time when you knew less than the somm. And most have the same passion you and I have. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts:11169
| | 12/04/2005 7:58 PM |
| | A little skepticism of the motives of someone trying to sell you something is warranted in my book. | | | |
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