Personal Story Allow me to share a personal story with you. Picture a young college student in a quaint Italian trattoria, spellbound by the canals of Venice. That student was me, sharing a bottle of rich Amarone with my college professor. He spoke of the wine with such fervor, using words usually reserved for the opera we were there to study. The 'libretto' was the wine's aromatic script, teasing our senses with stories of the vineyards, the soil, and the unique terroir of Valpolicella. The 'overture' came next, an initial taste that revealed an astonishing depth, and weighty presence on the tongue. The vino was adorned by a vibrant 'coloratura,' a transition of layered flavors from bold fruits and dark berries to subtle undercurrents of spice and chocolate. Finally, the encounter ended with a persistent 'coda,' a lingering finish that whispered tales of its origins and invited another savored sip. In that moment, I discovered the music of wine - its notes, its tempo, its crescendos. Since then, I've journeyed from the dusty cellars of Tuscany to the vineyards of Napa, tasting and serving one glass at a time, eventually ending in my own crescendo, aboard the Seabourn Sojourn, the partner-ship of Thomas Keller's restaurants, honing my craft and assisting as a sommelier. Since, I've dipped my toes into the world of wine-making, crafting my own "Cab lovers Pinot" with my clever, multi-talented partner. In fact, we met on that very voyage in Singapore. She'd always order Cabs, her favorite, regardless of the meal, until I gently coaxed her to try more suitable pairings - thus beginning our unique partnership.