Exams and Seasonal Cheer

It is always a good feeling when an exam is over. After studying for the last 2 months I am finally finished writing my WSET advanced certificate exam and as always I blew a question in the short answer that I should have gotten right but second guessed myself and changed for the wrong answer. you would think after all these years I would know better but some things never change.I think this is the first time in a long time that I was really nervous about writing a test but there was so much information in this course that it is virtually impossible to retain it all. Over the 6 classes we tasted over 100 wines from around the world from simple $10.00 expressions to Premier Cru Burgundies and 20yr old Port, combine all of those with climate, viticultural and wine making techniques for all of these areas and you get a good idea of the complexity of this course.

Christmas is just around the corner so it is a good time to stock up your liquor cabinet. I like to have a few unique things around over the holiday. Here is my list in no particular order a few big rich beers such as Chimay Blue, La Maudite, Some Tree Winter Ale and Mc Ewen's Malt are all good standbys. A bottle of great spiced rum to mix with Egg Nog  such as Sailor Jerry's. You also need a couple of liqueurs like Grand Marnier and Baily's for your morning coffee. The last one to think about is a bottle of Cream sherry try the Lustau East India Solera Sherry.  I don't know about anyone else but this is the first alcoholic beverage I can remember being served we always got a small glass at Christmas time and it always brings up memories of family meals and festivities.