Roadblocks

In a recent visit to the hospital for a check up, I was advised by my doctor to give wine education a break.  Although my doctor did not explicitly say 'no, you cannot continue' .. he wasn't as supportive as he was in the past and suggested that maybe I should think about other avenues of the hospitality industry.

My test results were showing a negative trend so before it gets worse, it was best that I give the wine thing a rest before making any new plans for more wine education.

To be honest, taking a break from wine education was something I wanted to do anyway so I wasn't too disappointed when the doctor didn't give me his thumbs up. Don't get me wrong, I really do enjoy wine education.  As I've said before, there is something about the complexity and challenge about it that makes me feel alive.  It requires me to think on so many levels that it keeps me sharp.

WSET was intense and challenging but I somehow felt that I took it at the wrong time.  The period between December and February was tough for me.  There were many business/work related tasks that required my attention that I often had to put studying and hobbies aside - which meant that wine had to take a back seat.  I wasn't happy that I had give up study time for business matters but business matters is what pays the bills so I had to give that my full attention.

I was stressed out to the max but there was no time to curl up in the fetal position and cry about it.  I'm a tough cookie and us Ng girls don't deal with stress that way.  I kept my head down and worked through that to-do list.  I told myself that I'll take a break when it's over.  I stopped going to badminton, I cancelled all social meetings, and skipped all wine tastings.  I had no life.  But boy, the month went by slowly and every day, there was an urgent issue to deal with.  I barely had time to make an appointment to get my car in for service.

I managed to fit in 1 weekend of studying for my WSET exam.  My instructor said if you want to pass with "distinction", you should read the book at least 4 times.  Sigh .. I only read the book once.  I spent my time focused on the theoretical material and less on the tasting.  My tasting skills are pretty sharp, despite not practicing at all.

On exam night, the blind tasting portion of the exam was first.  We had to produce tasting notes for 1 white and 1 red.  I wrote the tasting note for the white.  We were given a choice of three wines that it could be.  My notes concluded that it was a Pouilly-Fuisse.  I moved on to the red.  I wrote the tasting note for the red.  When I looked at my choices, there was a Cotes du Rhone Villages, Barbaresco, or New Zealand Pinot Noir.  Right away, I knew it wasn't the Barbaresco.  Italian reds are one of the easiest reds to pick out and this was definitely not Italian.  Pinot or Cotes du Rhone Villages?  Based on my tasting note, there wasn't enough Pinot characteristic to strongly conclude that it was a Pinot Noir.  It did have a lot of characteristics of the varietals that you see in Cotes du Rhone so that was my decision.  After talking to my tasting group members, most had chosen Pouilly-Fuisse for the white but New Zealand Pinot Noir for the red.  I admit, I started to doubt myself .. after all, I don't practice tasting at all.  But based on my theoretical knowledge, I couldn't make that conclusion.  When the wines were revealed, the white was a Pouilly-Fuisse .. and the red was a Cotes du Rhone Villages.  Not bad for a theory-based wine taster, eh?  :)

The written exam was tough but not because the questions were difficult.  When we wrote exams at Algonquin, there would be a lot of time left to double .. even triple check your answers.  For the WSET theory exam, there was absolutely no time to go back and check your work.  You had to be sure of your answer.  The written portion was like a chemistry exam and the Chem Eng student in me was so into it.  I wrote like mad .. at some point, I just thought .. you need to give me more space to explain this because I could go on and on about this!  I know .. NERD alert.  My hand hurt but I was glad it was over.  I hope I passed ..

But you knew that this is how it would end up .. just when I'm getting really good at this, I have to stop pursuing it.  I would have been a great candidate for WSET Diploma but I can't do it for the sake of my health.  But I'll probably be okay with a sommelier pin and a WSET Advanced Level 3 certificate.  (BTW, when you finish WSET Diploma, a pin is awarded .. I would have loved to get another pin!)

As always, I try to look at the lessons that I'm being taught.  If I were to guess, I think the lessons this is trying to teach me are ..
1. Trust my instincts.  There have been countless times during my sommelier course tasting exams where I doubted my own skills and went against my instincts.  And it was during those time that I would score poorly on tasting exams.  My gut answer was correct but because I doubted myself, I chose the wrong answer.  For this tasting exam, I was going to choose the New Zealand Pinot Noir because I started to doubt myself .. I could hear the voice "Pudgy, who do you think you are?".  But I stuck with my instincts and kept my answer as is.

2. Learn to let go of the things you love.  As much as I love wine education, I have to let it go.  It doesn't mean I stop loving it.  It just means, I won't dedicate so much time to it .. and maybe focus on other areas that need attention.  Wine will always be there and my connections to the wine industry will still be there.  There are plenty of other things that I need to go back to .. like taking care of my health, exercising, golf, baking, photography, yoga .. interior decorating?

Read more...

mixed feelings about graduation

sommelier graduation has come and gone.

i didn't realize that the end of the program would bring me a sense of sadness.  i've had a bit of time to process my journey over the last two years.  i remember when i started the program, many felt that it wasn't a good thing for me to do.  the reasons ranged from my physical health to my emotional health.  even knowing this, i went ahead with it anyway ..

i sought the approval of my doctors before enrolling.  my family doctor didn't approve.  my specialist gave me his blessing but on the condition that i be sensible about it.  at the time, if both doctors said no, then i'd strongly reconsider but i had already made up my mind to do it.  throughout the program, i did not take this "blessing" for granted.  there was always a voice in my head that said if i did anything to screw up my health, i wouldn't be able to finish the program.  this voice kept me in check and not once did i overindulge or drink to cover up pain or fill a void (and there was a lot of pain during the time).

it took a long time for my family to accept this new hobby of mine and because of that, i never really got to talk about my experiences early on.  with every course i completed, i got better and better at it and i wasn't able to share the joy i had in my accomplishments.  although my original intention was to impress someone, it started to change as i progressed.  i discovered that being in school and learning something new .. was a part of me that i really missed.  i rediscovered who i was .. and i started to become truly happy again.  i set my sights on the excellence award.  i believed that i could be a contender for the award, despite the lack of wine tasting experience.

i worked hard at the theoretical aspects and it helped me become a better taster.  yes, there are some benefits to sampling a lot of different wines to help you become a better blind taster but for someone like me, i relied on my knowledge of winemaking and viticultural practices to help me become a better blind taster.  if you know how it's grown, how it's made, and where it is from .. you can pretty much figure out what's in your glass.

the service exam was probably the most difficult test in the entire program.  there was no way to practice for this.  i remember putting together my wine list for the exam.  i remember losing sleep and worrying that i wouldn't be able to pronouce any of the wines on my list.  i also remember feeling defeated throughout the mock service, despite judge and wine critic Vic Harradine telling me that i was doing an excellent job.  when it was all said and done, i scored an A+. 

i wish i had better news to report in this post but my grades weren't enough to win the award on grad night.  i felt like i let myself down but i know that it wasn't meant to be.  the original intention to win the award was to prove myself to someone who really didn't matter.  and because of this, i knew that it wasn't going to happen.  the lesson that He would have me learn is that it is more important to believe in myself than to look for the approval of others.  and that i cannot change others - the only person i can change is myself.  i understand that now.  maybe if i believed in myself from the beginning, the story would have ended differently.

there is still more studying to be done.  wset level 3 exam is coming up and i've got to do my best .. for once, this was something i chose to enrol in because i believed in myself.  after this, my tasting group is looking to register for wset diploma (level 4) - a pre-requisite to Master of Wine.  let's just take this one step at a time, shall we?

 

Read more...

goodbye 2013 .. hello 2014!

seemed like jan 2013 was just yesterday.  already a year has gone by.  time to look back at some of the memorable things that took place and a look at what's in store for the next 365 days.

finishing the sommelier program was probably one of my biggest achievements in 2013.  when i started the program back in 2011, i did it for all of the wrong reasons but by the time i finished, those reasons no longer mattered.  i enjoyed every minute of it - ok, maybe advanced sommelier wasn't my favorite course and the service exam was one of the most nerve wracking experiences of my life .. it was necessary.  you discover a lot about yourself when you learn to deal with uncomfortable situations.

in the summer, i got to take a break from school and go on some interesting trips.  i finally got to visit the niagara wine region.  and for my milestone birthday, i got to spend the day at Langdon Hall.  i swear, it will be my birthday present every year from now on because that place is the definition of heaven on earth.

in late august, i got to visit Whistler/Vancouver for a friend's wedding.  Ziplining in Whistler was fun but when i saw the mountains again, i just stood there and stared .. they were beautiful.  for my friend's wedding, i got to play amateur photographer as well.  yes, i shot in a dress and 3.5" heels for a full day.  :)  i was a royal mess afterwards .. i sure hope there aren't any photos of me from that day.  oh wait .. there was a photo of me.

lastly, the wine education didn't end when i finished the sommelier program.  i continued my wine studies by enrolling in the WSET Level 3 program.  my mentor, Eugene, was already telling others in the wine industry that i was going to study WSET.  i think he sees potential in my wine skills.  my classmates are expecting me to join them for Level 4 in April but i'm not sure if i can afford to continue.  the two year commitment isn't what's holding me back.  it's the cost of studying that is becoming a strain on me.  although i love the subject and i love the group involved, i may not be able to handle it financially.  at some point, i need this training to pay off .. a return on investment of sort.  how does one with no sommelier or restaurant experience land a sommelier job?  i'm not about to give up my day job but it would be nice to have an evening or weekend job to help subsidize this expensive hobby of mine.

2014 looks to be a busy year.  so much to look forward to .. you know me, always up for an adventure.

happy new year everyone!

Read more...

december already?

yikes.  december already?  why does it seem like time is going a lot faster than i want it to?  anyway, christmas is fast approaching and i have yet to do any christmas shopping.  things have been so hectic that it seems as if there is little time for anything.

work has been crazy busy - i've been picking up the slack on system analyst work on our project as well doing regular duties.  in the month of december, i'll be taking one day off aside from the regular christmas and boxing day holidays.  which means i won't be in toronto for a long stay this year again.  it really sucks because i haven't seen my friends in a few years now.  i have missed the birth of their kids and seeing the news on facebook or on their blogs is just not the same.  i know they understand that it's not easy for me to always take time off to visit though.  since i am on my own, i have to look after myself first .. the bills don't get paid when i don't work.  i'll have to carve out some time around February or March to see them.

oh and remember the chairs that i ordered in the summer?  they've finally arrived!  haha .. i know .. i almost forgot about them too.  they are being delivered this weekend and i'm so excited to see new furniture in the house.  because of the new furniture, i chose not to put up my christmas tree this year.  i haven't had a lot of luck with plant life in general so i decided to keep the tree in storage.

i'll post a pic of my fancy chairs in their spot later on.

this year, we are spending christmas in niagara falls, new york.  i decided to organize a family trip there .. partially to get everyone some down time and away from chores .. but also to engage in some retail therapy.  my sisters and i usually bond over shopping because we end up styling one another.  my sisters are great with that and i feel good in the end as well because i know i will wear the pieces that i buy.

anyway, i should get back to work and studying.  yes, i'm still studying wine .. i've got a great group of study partners and we bring out the best in each other .. which is why i've chosen to continue studying.  it's social and challenging at the same time.

Read more...

advanced somm - completed.

sommelier program?  check.

to say that it's been a crazy two months is an understatement.  the final weeks of the advanced sommelier course brought out the hermit in me.  i had to shut out everyone in order to complete the course.  out of all the courses in the program, this was the one course i had the most difficulty handling.  i have no idea why because last winter, i took two courses and it wasn't this bad.  i think i just put a lot of pressure on myself because my average was on the line.  i worked hard over the last two years to maintain my high standing and there was no way i was going to screw that up.  i love the subject but i'm still asian .. grades matter.  :)

anyway, it's finally over.

my tasting exam was last wednesday and it was not easy.  we had to blind taste six wines - 1 sparkling, 2 whites, and 3 reds.  we also had to provide tasting notes and sommelier descriptions for each wine.  although i'm sure i passed, i don't think it was my best work.  plus, there was a cabernet sauvignon that tasted like it was cooked.  it was not a great example of a cab sauv. 

the service exam was even worse.  i'm not a 'service' kind of person.  it's just not natural for me.  the night before the exam, i couldn't sleep.  i tried hard to remember the names of the wines on my wine list and during the mock service, i couldn't remember any of the wines.  i just blanked out.  when it came to opening the bottle, i used Green Lane Winery's riesling.  my bottle opening technique was spot on -  the foil was cut clean, my cork screw didn't pierce the cork all the way through, i removed the cork without making a sound (which is very difficult to do), i followed the procedure all the way through .. even the small stuff.  i answered the theoretical questions properly, i gave good reasoning for my wine suggestions .. except if you asked me what specific wine on the list would be great for a dish?  i couldn't remember anything .. :(  luckily, i wasn't asked too many questions on specific labels.
when it was over, i was still pretty tense but also exhausted. the week leading up to the exams was draining.  graduation is in February next year.  i'm pretty excited to graduate - hopefully with honours.  :)

is this the end of my wine education?  well .. we'll see. :)

although i've completed my sommelier certification, i do not refer to myself as a 'sommelier'.  a sommelier is a job title that one holds in the service industry.  that is not what i do.  i am still the person in the software industry and working a regular tech job.  but i'm a student of wine .. will always be.

oh .. just to touch on the Ottawa Food and Wine show this year.  the tasting alley event was not impressive this year.  in previous years, i got to taste some very nice wines like Cakebread Cellars cabernet sauvignon ($100 a btl).  this year, it was just average.  the best wine i sampled was the 2010 Chateau Pipeau which is a Vintages Essential at $37 a bottle.  the crowd was very 'meat market' like which is a huge turn off.  two guys tried to pick me up and i just rolled my eyes and walked away.  i attend wine shows because i want to try interesting wines but this event is quickly becoming a singles' pick up joint.  gross.

p.s.  big thank you to Vicky for her advice on getting through the wine list project.  it really helped.  :)

Read more...

Month end .. Finally

Been working like crazy these days .. Juggling school work, wine events, home stuff, business stuff, and work.

Glad that it's month end but next month will be just as crazy.  

I'm not complaining .. I know that it was my choice to live here and handle things by myself.  If I didn't do it, I'd never learn how to be truly independent.  But the important thing is, I am learning and if it was easy, it wouldn't be fun. :)

So if I don't call or don't answer email or text on time, there are more pressing issues that need to be dealt with first. 

Oh and there will be a post on the Food & Wine show soon .. As well as a blurb on my final weeks of Advanced Sommelier.  Yes, I can see the finish line.

Still striving for excellence and not perfection. 

Take care,

Pudgy

Read more...

Taste Ontario 2013

i attended Taste Ontario for the first time this year.  i was lucky enough to have won a few tickets to the event so i invited mandy and susan to come along with me.  the event was coordinated by wine country of ontario and the lcbo.  it  was advertised as a taste and buy event and showcased many ontario wineries.  of all wineries present, i was mainly interested in two producers - Bachelder wines and Charles Baker wines.

Bachelder wines is owned by Thomas Bachelder, who was the former winemaker at Le Clos Jordanne in Niagara.  Thomas Bachelder also owns vineyards in Oregon and France and his wines are often highly rated.  The wines are also a bit on the pricey side (ie. around the $40 mark).  I really wanted to try his chardonnay and to see what all the hype was about.

Charles Baker wines was another Niagara producer that have caught my attention in recent days.  The wines are sold through stratus winery and are popping up on a lot of restaurant wine lists.  They were offering two versions of their riesling at the show .. and i love rieslings. :)

So what did i taste?

first up .. some bubbly from Henry of Pelham.  they had the cuvee catherine brut.  it was a great way to start off.  tiny bubbles releasing aromatic notes of toast, citrus, and minerality.  it was dry and a great palate refresher.

my favorite vineyard, Vineland Estates was there with their Expressions in D collection.  I have the entire set of rieslings so it wasn't something I was interested in trying.  besides, when i was at the winery this summer, I got to try all four rieslings and they were fantastic.  my friends tried it and was impressed with the medium sweet rieslings.

susan was on the hunt for some fabulous pinot noir, so i steered her towards one of the best producers in Prince Edward county - norman hardie.  Norm was behind the table pouring and he remembered me from the harvest event the week before.  susan was impressed with the county pinot noir but it was the first one so it set the bar high.

we also tried the pinot noir from Le Clos Jordanne.  they had the village reserve and the claystone reserve pinot noirs.  behind the table pouring was winemaker Sebastien Jacquey, with whom i've had the pleasure of meeting during the summer.  his pinot noir was very nice.  the claystone was the better of the two.  the difference is the lot in which the grapes were picked from.  susan also liked their pinot but norm's still had the edge.

while at the tawse booth, i sampled their cabernet/merlot blend.  it was one of the best red blends i've had - bursting with fruit.  well done, tawse.

at the cave spring table, they had their chardonnay musque.  i didn't visit the winery but i heard that they had one of the better chardonnay musques in the niagara region.  and indeed, it's one of the better ones.  it was definitely more aromatic than the one by chateau des charmes that i tried a few months back.  it was a fan favourite and it's not an easy one to find at the LCBO.  i highly recommend you try this if you're looking for something different.

unfortunately thomas bachelder wasn't at the bachelder wines table but Mrs. thomas bachelder was there.  She was so lovely!  i tried the wismer vineyard chardonnay and it was buttery goodness.  is it worth $40?  well, i'm not a big fan of chardonnay to begin with so if i had $40, i would probably spend it on something else.  but if you're a chardonnay fan .. go for it.

thomas bachelder may have been MIA but charles baker was not.  he was actually pouring the wines!  i introduced myself and sampled the ivan vineyard riesling.  classic niagara riesling and oh so good.  clean, crisp, minerality, citrus .. loved the wine.  then i compared it to the picone vineyard riesling.  the picone vineyard riesling had some petrol notes on top of the usual riesling characteristics.  it's a gorgeous riesling and available for purchase at the Stratus winery or through Vintages online.

other less impressive wines that i got to try included Good Karma, a chardonnay by Flat Rock cellars, a 2008 fume blanc by peninsula ridge (this was awful, imo), jackson triggs entourage grand reserve method classique brut (this was pretty good), and pillitteri's vidal icewine (my sample had a piece of wax in it. eww).

wow .. one of the best wine events i've attended so far.  i loved the selection of wines offered but unfortunately, the organizers fell short on the "buy" part of this taste and buy event.  there were no order forms whatsoever and susan wanted to buy!  that's a fail, LCBO.

anyway, next up is the Tasting Alley event at the ottawa food and wine show.  i'm attending the Saturday night event and it's sold out!  i usually get dressed up for events like this so my black chiffon mini dress will have to come out of the closet.  ;)  

Read more...