Instagram Story Save

Don’t start with the answer.
Start by eliminating your options.

This is why “color” and “concentration” are the first two lines on The Grid.

But just looking at the wine, we’ve cut our options in half.

Blind tasting as much easier than you think.

Follow if you want to think through wine like a pro.

Also, your first question in Guess Who should never be, “is your character male/female?” There are far too many male characters for the question to be effective.

If you’re new here, this is a little bit about me

Most people only see the title

They don’t see what it took to get there
or what can come of it after.

Now I care less about titles and more about the work that goes into achieving them.

I’m here to share it all.

So that current students may benefit and others can see what’s possible beyond it.

If any part of this resonates with you,
you’re in the right place

#sommlife #mastersommelier #somm #wineeducator #winelearning

If you’re new here, this is a little bit about me

Most people only see the title

They don’t see what it took to get there
or what can come of it after.

Now I care less about titles and more about the work that goes into achieving them.

I’m here to share it all.

So that current students may benefit and others can see what’s possible beyond it.

If any part of this resonates with you,
you’re in the right place

#sommlife #mastersommelier #somm #wineeducator #winelearning

If you’re new here, this is a little bit about me

Most people only see the title

They don’t see what it took to get there
or what can come of it after.

Now I care less about titles and more about the work that goes into achieving them.

I’m here to share it all.

So that current students may benefit and others can see what’s possible beyond it.

If any part of this resonates with you,
you’re in the right place

#sommlife #mastersommelier #somm #wineeducator #winelearning

If you’re new here, this is a little bit about me

Most people only see the title

They don’t see what it took to get there
or what can come of it after.

Now I care less about titles and more about the work that goes into achieving them.

I’m here to share it all.

So that current students may benefit and others can see what’s possible beyond it.

If any part of this resonates with you,
you’re in the right place

#sommlife #mastersommelier #somm #wineeducator #winelearning

If you’re new here, this is a little bit about me

Most people only see the title

They don’t see what it took to get there
or what can come of it after.

Now I care less about titles and more about the work that goes into achieving them.

I’m here to share it all.

So that current students may benefit and others can see what’s possible beyond it.

If any part of this resonates with you,
you’re in the right place

#sommlife #mastersommelier #somm #wineeducator #winelearning

If you’re new here, this is a little bit about me

Most people only see the title

They don’t see what it took to get there
or what can come of it after.

Now I care less about titles and more about the work that goes into achieving them.

I’m here to share it all.

So that current students may benefit and others can see what’s possible beyond it.

If any part of this resonates with you,
you’re in the right place

#sommlife #mastersommelier #somm #wineeducator #winelearning

If you’re new here, this is a little bit about me

Most people only see the title

They don’t see what it took to get there
or what can come of it after.

Now I care less about titles and more about the work that goes into achieving them.

I’m here to share it all.

So that current students may benefit and others can see what’s possible beyond it.

If any part of this resonates with you,
you’re in the right place

#sommlife #mastersommelier #somm #wineeducator #winelearning

If you’re new here, this is a little bit about me

Most people only see the title

They don’t see what it took to get there
or what can come of it after.

Now I care less about titles and more about the work that goes into achieving them.

I’m here to share it all.

So that current students may benefit and others can see what’s possible beyond it.

If any part of this resonates with you,
you’re in the right place

#sommlife #mastersommelier #somm #wineeducator #winelearning

If you’re new here, this is a little bit about me

Most people only see the title

They don’t see what it took to get there
or what can come of it after.

Now I care less about titles and more about the work that goes into achieving them.

I’m here to share it all.

So that current students may benefit and others can see what’s possible beyond it.

If any part of this resonates with you,
you’re in the right place

#sommlife #mastersommelier #somm #wineeducator #winelearning

If you’re new here, this is a little bit about me

Most people only see the title

They don’t see what it took to get there
or what can come of it after.

Now I care less about titles and more about the work that goes into achieving them.

I’m here to share it all.

So that current students may benefit and others can see what’s possible beyond it.

If any part of this resonates with you,
you’re in the right place

#sommlife #mastersommelier #somm #wineeducator #winelearning

Most people studying for difficult exams are doing the wrong thing.

They’re collecting information.

Books. Notes. Lectures. Flashcards.

It feels like progress.

But information collection isn’t the same as information retention.

When I was preparing for the Master Sommelier exam, I eventually realized something that changed how I studied forever:

Your brain doesn’t remember random facts.

It remembers organized structures.

Geography. Patterns. Stories.

That’s where mnemonics can come in.

Swipe → to see how this mnemonic works.

Save this if you’re studying for wine exams, school, or anything that requires real recall.

Follow for more insights on how I studied to pass the Master Sommelier exam (twice).

#mastersommelier #somm #examprep #studytips #winestudy

Most people studying for difficult exams are doing the wrong thing.

They’re collecting information.

Books. Notes. Lectures. Flashcards.

It feels like progress.

But information collection isn’t the same as information retention.

When I was preparing for the Master Sommelier exam, I eventually realized something that changed how I studied forever:

Your brain doesn’t remember random facts.

It remembers organized structures.

Geography. Patterns. Stories.

That’s where mnemonics can come in.

Swipe → to see how this mnemonic works.

Save this if you’re studying for wine exams, school, or anything that requires real recall.

Follow for more insights on how I studied to pass the Master Sommelier exam (twice).

#mastersommelier #somm #examprep #studytips #winestudy

Most people studying for difficult exams are doing the wrong thing.

They’re collecting information.

Books. Notes. Lectures. Flashcards.

It feels like progress.

But information collection isn’t the same as information retention.

When I was preparing for the Master Sommelier exam, I eventually realized something that changed how I studied forever:

Your brain doesn’t remember random facts.

It remembers organized structures.

Geography. Patterns. Stories.

That’s where mnemonics can come in.

Swipe → to see how this mnemonic works.

Save this if you’re studying for wine exams, school, or anything that requires real recall.

Follow for more insights on how I studied to pass the Master Sommelier exam (twice).

#mastersommelier #somm #examprep #studytips #winestudy

Most people studying for difficult exams are doing the wrong thing.

They’re collecting information.

Books. Notes. Lectures. Flashcards.

It feels like progress.

But information collection isn’t the same as information retention.

When I was preparing for the Master Sommelier exam, I eventually realized something that changed how I studied forever:

Your brain doesn’t remember random facts.

It remembers organized structures.

Geography. Patterns. Stories.

That’s where mnemonics can come in.

Swipe → to see how this mnemonic works.

Save this if you’re studying for wine exams, school, or anything that requires real recall.

Follow for more insights on how I studied to pass the Master Sommelier exam (twice).

#mastersommelier #somm #examprep #studytips #winestudy

Most people studying for difficult exams are doing the wrong thing.

They’re collecting information.

Books. Notes. Lectures. Flashcards.

It feels like progress.

But information collection isn’t the same as information retention.

When I was preparing for the Master Sommelier exam, I eventually realized something that changed how I studied forever:

Your brain doesn’t remember random facts.

It remembers organized structures.

Geography. Patterns. Stories.

That’s where mnemonics can come in.

Swipe → to see how this mnemonic works.

Save this if you’re studying for wine exams, school, or anything that requires real recall.

Follow for more insights on how I studied to pass the Master Sommelier exam (twice).

#mastersommelier #somm #examprep #studytips #winestudy

Most people studying for difficult exams are doing the wrong thing.

They’re collecting information.

Books. Notes. Lectures. Flashcards.

It feels like progress.

But information collection isn’t the same as information retention.

When I was preparing for the Master Sommelier exam, I eventually realized something that changed how I studied forever:

Your brain doesn’t remember random facts.

It remembers organized structures.

Geography. Patterns. Stories.

That’s where mnemonics can come in.

Swipe → to see how this mnemonic works.

Save this if you’re studying for wine exams, school, or anything that requires real recall.

Follow for more insights on how I studied to pass the Master Sommelier exam (twice).

#mastersommelier #somm #examprep #studytips #winestudy

Most people studying for difficult exams are doing the wrong thing.

They’re collecting information.

Books. Notes. Lectures. Flashcards.

It feels like progress.

But information collection isn’t the same as information retention.

When I was preparing for the Master Sommelier exam, I eventually realized something that changed how I studied forever:

Your brain doesn’t remember random facts.

It remembers organized structures.

Geography. Patterns. Stories.

That’s where mnemonics can come in.

Swipe → to see how this mnemonic works.

Save this if you’re studying for wine exams, school, or anything that requires real recall.

Follow for more insights on how I studied to pass the Master Sommelier exam (twice).

#mastersommelier #somm #examprep #studytips #winestudy

Most people studying for difficult exams are doing the wrong thing.

They’re collecting information.

Books. Notes. Lectures. Flashcards.

It feels like progress.

But information collection isn’t the same as information retention.

When I was preparing for the Master Sommelier exam, I eventually realized something that changed how I studied forever:

Your brain doesn’t remember random facts.

It remembers organized structures.

Geography. Patterns. Stories.

That’s where mnemonics can come in.

Swipe → to see how this mnemonic works.

Save this if you’re studying for wine exams, school, or anything that requires real recall.

Follow for more insights on how I studied to pass the Master Sommelier exam (twice).

#mastersommelier #somm #examprep #studytips #winestudy

Most people studying for difficult exams are doing the wrong thing.

They’re collecting information.

Books. Notes. Lectures. Flashcards.

It feels like progress.

But information collection isn’t the same as information retention.

When I was preparing for the Master Sommelier exam, I eventually realized something that changed how I studied forever:

Your brain doesn’t remember random facts.

It remembers organized structures.

Geography. Patterns. Stories.

That’s where mnemonics can come in.

Swipe → to see how this mnemonic works.

Save this if you’re studying for wine exams, school, or anything that requires real recall.

Follow for more insights on how I studied to pass the Master Sommelier exam (twice).

#mastersommelier #somm #examprep #studytips #winestudy

Some restaurants still feel like they’re protecting something.

Others feel like they’re becoming something.

@ima__kyoto in Kyoto was the latter. After my first experience there a week ago, I’m excited to see what their future holds.

Follow for more thoughtful food, drink, and travel stories by a Master Sommelier who’s trying to figure out this social media thing.

One of my favorite drinking weeks of the year is almost here!

Really excited to be part of@sfaapicocktailwk again this year and especially excited to host a food + wine pairing seminar next Wednesday at @konas_sf

📍 Kona’s Street Market
📅 Wednesday, May 27
🕐 1:00 PM–2:30 PM

I say this every year, but what makes this week special to me isn’t just the drinks. It’s the people.

The Bay Area really shows up and the talent from around the world (and Hawai’i!) shows out.

Big thank you to @therealdiedrich and @rhyseespieces for trusting us wine folk to help close out the week with the first wine-forward event at the Magnums Only afterparty at @pch_sf

Looking forward to seeing everyone out there!

Snapshots from Japan and a life well lived.

Snapshots from Japan and a life well lived.

Snapshots from Japan and a life well lived.

Snapshots from Japan and a life well lived.

Snapshots from Japan and a life well lived.

Snapshots from Japan and a life well lived.

Snapshots from Japan and a life well lived.

Snapshots from Japan and a life well lived.

Snapshots from Japan and a life well lived.

Snapshots from Japan and a life well lived.

Snapshots from Japan and a life well lived.

Snapshots from Japan and a life well lived.

What do you do when you can't sleep at Tokyo at 3am? You smash two bowls of ramen.

Can you guess this event theme from these emojis?
⭐️🍷🎶🏆🍽️

This evening is bringing together the signature dishes, iconic pours, and crowd-favorite vintages that turned some of the culinary and wine world’s biggest names into headliners! Think chart-toppers, fan favorites, and plenty of hits worth revisiting. ✨

What’s the theme? Drop your guesses below ⬇️

✨ Be the first to explore our 2026 lineup when tickets go on sale May 23—sign up for exclusive updates at the link in our bio!

#celebritychef #foodiefestival #hawaiifood #foodandwine #winewinewine

I knew I wanted to be a dad from a very young age. This is obviously a joke.

But yes, trips to Japan with the family are vastly different than the many solo trips I’ve been going on lately.

Pros and cons to both, but I’m very much excited for this time away with my family. Three generations (all women) and me!

A lot to celebrate and a lot to be grateful for.

Color helps.
But it doesn’t get the final vote.

In blind tasting, color can eliminate possibilities fast —
but it can also lie, especially with grapes that live in the middle of the spectrum.

Tempranillo.
Zinfandel.
Grenache.
Sometimes Pinot.
Sometimes Sangiovese.

The move isn’t to force a conclusion early.

The move is to keep the right options alive until the rest of the grid gives you more evidence.

That’s deductive tasting.

Follow along as we go line by line through the grid.

Back to Kyoto again soon and looking forward to visiting @cenci.kyoto with a new perspective it helped to shape.

Back to Kyoto again soon and looking forward to visiting @cenci.kyoto with a new perspective it helped to shape.

Back to Kyoto again soon and looking forward to visiting @cenci.kyoto with a new perspective it helped to shape.

Back to Kyoto again soon and looking forward to visiting @cenci.kyoto with a new perspective it helped to shape.

Back to Kyoto again soon and looking forward to visiting @cenci.kyoto with a new perspective it helped to shape.

Back to Kyoto again soon and looking forward to visiting @cenci.kyoto with a new perspective it helped to shape.

Back to Kyoto again soon and looking forward to visiting @cenci.kyoto with a new perspective it helped to shape.

Back to Kyoto again soon and looking forward to visiting @cenci.kyoto with a new perspective it helped to shape.

Back to Kyoto again soon and looking forward to visiting @cenci.kyoto with a new perspective it helped to shape.

Back to Kyoto again soon and looking forward to visiting @cenci.kyoto with a new perspective it helped to shape.

Back to Kyoto again soon and looking forward to visiting @cenci.kyoto with a new perspective it helped to shape.

Color is often the most overlooked part of blind tasting,
But it’s more important than you’d think, especially for reds.

Color doesn’t indicate quality,
But just looking at the wine, gives you major insight as to what it might be.

Follow along for the next video in the series: Mastering Blind Tasting