Brian's Blog - All Comments

RE: Some Pre-Exam Recommendations!

Robert Jones — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 20:59:27 GMT

Excellent advice from Brian...I would add from experience that studying so close to an exam rarely does any good. Candidates have progressed to the Masters Exam by what they already know....and are in elite company. Why stress out over cramming in new information? Rare is the person who performs at their best when they are full of stress hormones. Leave your heavy books at home.

Candidates are invited to sit the exam, based on their performance at the lower levels. Remember that. Relax and savor the experience. Breathe deeply and remember that no one knows everything, and that we work in an industry where life-long learning is expected. The diploma is the beginning, not the end. Good luck to everyone sitting the exam.

RE: Some Pre-Exam Recommendations!

FRANK SEIDL — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:34:49 GMT

Thanks Brian, as always, for your mentorship, concern, and valuable/timely advice. Although I won't be sitting for awhile, I'll take your words to heart NOW and let them help to guide me further along in my journey. Best of luck to all of you sitting in February. It's a great challenge and a great honor.

RE: Some Pre-Exam Recommendations!

Andrew McNamara — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:58:35 GMT

Great advice Brian. Keep in mind that you need to believe in yourself that you are describing the wines correctly. Many people are great tasters, they just don't believe that they are. If you don't trust your palate, you can't be a great taster. It can be a big leap, but well worth it!

RE: Some Pre-Exam Recommendations!

Laura Maniec — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 04:56:39 GMT

Great blog. I also want to point out the importance of being good to yourself. Anyone invited to sit for Masters deserves to be in that room. It is crucial to your success that you believe that you belong there too. Take your time, listen to the questions, enjoy the wines, serve wines you love and share your knowledge with us Masters with pride. Good Luck to everyone.

RE: Some Pre-Exam Recommendations!

Reggie Narito — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:53:44 GMT

Thanks Brian for your excellent tips! If I might also chime in and say that too many of you practice "spitting wine". For practice that's fine, but you need to drink the wine too! I believe that's the best way to understand what a wine is all about. Also, you've spent so much time addressing the mind, don't forget to pay attention to the body. Get a lot of rest, eat right and don't play too much...meditation also can do wonders. Good luck to you all!

RE: Some Pre-Exam Recommendations!

Will Costello MS — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 22:24:36 GMT

Have fun Tasting is such a great piece of advice. When you realize you are only about getting the wine right you should take a break.

RE: Some Pre-Exam Recommendations!

Jason Heller — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 19:12:36 GMT

Though thankfully tasting is out my way for the time, those are sage words of advice. Thanks.

RE: Some Pre-Exam Recommendations!

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:34:06 GMT

Thanks Brian, I think we all need a bit of "go-get-em" right now. Back to the books, and a glass of Gruner.

RE: Some Pre-Exam Recommendations!

Matthew Carroll — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:01:48 GMT

Thanks so much for this! Perfect timing :)

RE: Sake Production: The Basics

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:40:47 GMT

This was great! I searched all over the net for Sake production dvd. There is none. The pictures are very helpful to help the students grasp a basic understanding.

RE: Sake Production: The Basics

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:44:35 GMT

Great! Definitely an area most of us would not feel comfortable discussing. I look forward to more posts.

RE: Sake Production: The Basics

Robert Ord — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:27:12 GMT

Excellent. Thank you.

RE: Sake Production: The Basics

Corey Ladouceur — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:47:19 GMT

Fantastic intro to sake. Thanks

RE: Sake Production: The Basics

Brian Cronin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:55:38 GMT

Although I don't know how many variations he did of "Holy Diver!"

RE: Sake Production: The Basics

Lawrence OBrien — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:11:01 GMT

My compliments on a great posting. I look forward to further postings. Can you please make a reference to some Dio so I feel relevant.

Thanks,