This was a reply I got from the CMS Master Sommelier, Tim Gaiser. Apparently, they read the blog and wanted to clarify some information with me. Bear in mind, I had wound up at the last row of the class because the Marriot sent me on a wild goose chase about the class' location. So the Wine Zen couldn't really hear all of the information as clearly as he would like plus the breakneck speed of the class didn't help. So I apologize for getting some of the names wrong on the initial blog (heck! how could I have forgotten to include Guy, the MS from Texas.) So my thanks goes out to Tim for his help in keeping the Wine Zen accurate.
Now all I have to do is convince some of these cognac producers to take a refresher class.
On Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 8:25 AM,
Jonathan, hope all is well. Your latest blog post came up via Google alerts yesterday. Thanks for all the good comments about the class. Much appreciated. I did want to get back to you with some corrections in terms of the content. The instructors included myself, Randa Warren, Brian Koziol, and Guy Stout. To your point, there are over 750 slides presented during the two days and that’s a lot of information—hence the outline hand out that’s taken directly from the PPT. We don’t give students a print out of the PPT for obvious reasons—with the notes form of PPT there would still be well over 250 pages—a lot of wasted paper, certainly environmentally unsound, and a logistically challenging. Also to your point, the CMAA people were given a heads up on what to study several weeks before the class and also a general idea of how the two days would proceed. They also paid more for the class simply because their tuition included meals for both days and a reception after the end of the class--all set up through the CMAA. Keep in mind they were taking the class for credit towards a specific CMAA accreditation. As for other comments, the Cognac subzones are indeed correct and taken from AOC law. The Domaine Baumard you mentioned is from Savennieres and not Sancerre—a totally different animal. Otherwise, thanks again for your time in taking the class and also for posting comments. Please let me know if you have any questions.
My Reply:
Thank you for the corrections. I am honored you took the time to view my blog and offered objective view points to help us all in our journey to enjoy wine.
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2 comments:
Very interesting response, in Tim's attempt to put together a clear and concise response despite his apparent disapproval, he corrected somethings that didn't need correcting. You never mentioned Sancerre in regards to the Domaine Baumard. You were correct when you stated that it was from Savennieres.
The really funny thing about the response is that you can almost imagine someone on a mountain talking to someone in a valley, or so they would have you think. It's as if your blog entry were a statement in a "high school" debate and his response, a rebuttal with his comments countering each issue. And then there's the "AOC", they can't even keep things straight from year to year. They just threw out a whole years reclassification results in St. Emilion due to proposed "Bias". Really, can they actually feign surprise?
I am just glad that the internet has leveled the playing field. His obvious contempt and disdain is now saved for all posterity. It doesn't take an idiot savant to see how he feels about your comments.
I've learned that in this business it gets increasingly harder to hide ones true feelings in regards to people you work with. So I say that we should just embrace those feelings and let the wine flow freely and "In Vino Veritas".
For the record Anonymous, I should point out that several corrections were made to the blog titled "In New Orleans with the Court of Masters Sommeliers" after Tim sent his e-mail.
Aside from that, your view points about wine were very interesting and I appreciate your passion on the subject of wine and its enjoyment.
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