International Sommelier Guild Level 1 achieved!
By Hotel Warrior | February 11, 2008
I firmly believe that education is an important part in the development of ones career. I also hope that future employers hold the same belief system.
As one runs up against obstacles in the work place, it shows you areas that you can improve. As I stated in a previous post “Take charge of the Wine” I mentioned that I would be enrolling in a sommelier course.
Well, I have just completed it! Yay! I must say, I have certainly improved my confidence when speaking about wine. The course was both comprehensive and intensive. The International Sommelier Guild has a total of four levels-
- An overview of major grape varieties, regions, tasting & serving with bits here and there on cellaring.
- A much deeper look into those issues above but with a stronger emphasis on tasting.
- This is the diploma level- It’s a tough program delving deep into wine evaluating and wine menu building using and building on everything learned in level 1 & 2. When you’ve finished the diploma program you can then call yourself a Sommelier. This is a professional designation.
- Grand Masters program | I’m not sure what happens here…
For anyone considering taking level 1, I would reccomend it. However, don’t just sit through the class and hope to pass the exam. The program requires one to actually study the material and seek out references in the text on your own. The Exam is only 60 multiple choice questions but they are not neccessarily easy.
Examples:
Chianti Classico is made from the highest percentage of what grape variety?
- Nebbiolo
- Sangiovesese
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cannaiolo
Which of the following wines is most likely to spend time in new oak barrels?
- Riesling
- Muscat
- Chardonnay
- Gewurztraminer
Besides giving me confidence with wine, I’m sure it will be of use in the future. I also means that I’m going to have to keep up with the industry and will probably need to taste a lot of wines. Could be rough….
Topics: Random Thoughts | 1 Comment »
Holiday Inn Express brings out an interesting Marketing Twist
By Hotel Warrior | February 1, 2008
I just received an short email outlining an interesting marketing scheme by Holiday Inn. Here’s the email I received (from Holiday Inn Express).
Jetting around the country and calling hotels home is a way of life for presidential candidates. But are they making smart travel choices? Holiday Inn Express has set out to explore how thrifty candidates are being when it comes to basic campaign needs, such as hotel lodging on the campaign trail. The “Stay Smart, America” Web site tallies the amount spent on lodging by presidential candidates during this election and compares it with how much they could have saved by staying at a Holiday Inn Express.
Users can view the cumulative lodging expenses for each individual candidate on the “smart-o-meter” as well as total expenses by each party as a whole.
The “smart-o-meter” factors in all four quarterly lodging expenditures released to date by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and reveals the estimated percent lost in savings on lodging based on factors such as facility, event and catering fees. If you are really into math, you can even dive into the methodology of how it was all calculated.
Check it out; you’ll be surprised by how much candidates could save and spend on other expenses, like more lawn signs!
Topics: Sales | 3 Comments »
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