After 25 years in the wine industry as a retailer, writer, consultant, judge and speaker, many people have asked why I’ve decided to start taking classes through The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), often referred to as the global standard for wine education. I’ve travelled to most major — and many minor — wine-producing regions, visited thousands of wineries, and spoken and tasted with an even greater number of winemakers and viticulturalists. The more I educate myself, the more I realize how much more there is left to learn and how little I actually do know. Part of what I love about wine is knowing that there is always something new to learn.

2018 marked a year of firsts. I visited both China and Japan for the first times. I judged my first Asian wine competition. I was the “nama jin” (aka rookie) judge at my first sake competition, and I decided to formalize my wine education to become a certified WSET instructor.

Our team of writers at Quench are among the most travelled and experienced in the industry. They travel the world, not so you don’t have to, but to pique your interest to try something new. Or maybe to visit a wine region or culinary destination to which you’ve never been. The beauty of food and wine is in the diversity and discovery.

Use our writers’ experiences to guide yours. Don’t get stuck in the “I only drink Bordeaux”, “Anything but Chardonnay”, “I don’t eat lamb” or any other rut. Strive to seek out something new based on the descriptions and experiences of our writers. The joy of discovery is evident through their words.

Don’t deny yourself the enduring pleasure of learning. Never say no to tasting something new. Keep an open mind and palate when tasting, and avoid generalizing when it comes to both wine and food. Remember that our palates change over time, so something that may not have been to your taste in the past may turn out to be your new favourite today.

Let us at Quench help make 2019 your year of firsts.