Amber @ SpitBucket.net

A wine geek's idle thoughts. #CSW, #WSETDiploma.

Manager of @VirtualWineEvts acct & site @eWineCoaching

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

After nearly 20 years of having this dream, I’m an #MWStudent

Don’t knows how long it will take but I’m going to savor every moment that will be a part of this journey.

Lots of heartfelt thanks to many mentors & inspiration including @LizGabayMW who wrote my endorsement

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

@JancisRobinson @ErinJolley "A study of wine references in the lyrics of two American artists, Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead, in songs from the 1960s and 1970s"

That is an AWESOME research paper topic! Can't wait to read it.

Congrats to Erin and Andrea!

[Anne Krebiehl MW @AnneInVino]

Calling all @WSETglobal Diploma Students! The beautiful @annemchale has asked me to join her for a webinar, so come and join Anne & Anne for a #Germany Masterclass! Register here: https://t.co/Kpx3qkodyX

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

@LizGabayMW That's terrible! Such a great loss. :(

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

I bought a pair of inexpensive tulip flutes for travel and I'm marveling at the "Customers who bought that also purchased items like these" recommendations from Amazon.

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

I know these were A LOT of work to put together but, man, I do miss these awesome Real Business of Wine zooms that @robertjoseph and @mme_hammond used to do.

Was reminded of these while studying En Primeur and this terrific one with @janeansonwine

https://t.co/jWfULMEd9s

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

@waitrose Thank you Harriet. Unfortunately I missed his call as I was in a client meeting but hopefully he'll call back. Thank you again!

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

As someone with limited mobility, a big appeal to online orders is having heavy boxes of wine delivered for me.

But when @YodelOnline delivers my @waitrose order to the wrong address making me need to somehow retrieve & transport multiple cases, that really dampers things a bit.

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

@waitrose Thank you! DM sent.

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

What a fun initiative from @WSETschool! In April, they're sponsoring edit-a-thons to increase Wikipedia's coverage of women in the drinks industry.

https://t.co/D3icDPGFFl

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

@AdamLechmere @SpainFoodWineUK Depends on how functional the particular digital book is but as someone who absolutely HATES having to juggle a printed tasting booklet and a pen with my glass (plus my phone that I already have out to take pictures & make audio notes), I'm thrilled with this trend.

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

Trying to come up with a good visual image for why vines need enough "sinks" to funnel energy for balance.

I gave Dalle AI the prompt "Digital art of a toddler on a sugar rush going crazy next to a leafy grapevine with a large canopy"

Think I need a different metaphor...

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

@leviopenswine I can see that. But even a "sample menu" that gives a general idea with the disclaimer that it may change based on seasonality/supply, etc would be helpful.

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

I always find it baffling when promotions for wine dinners don't give any indication of the menu.

The menu is the big selling point over attending just a tasting or masterclass with the winemaker, and presumably, a big factor in the increased cost.

So why neglect posting it?

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

@Labelsandgrapes @gvizzavona @vinsbeaujolais Lol! You’re right!

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

@spskelton Oh dear! I was at my GP the other day for a health check and as soon as they noted my weekly intake, came the cascade of the "Is your drinking a problem?" questions.

US doctors will ask about it too but never quite the 3rd degree like the NHS!

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

@Labelsandgrapes @PhilippeAuclair @asisomms @robertjoseph @fbphilippe75 @BLB_Vignobles @TerredeVins @67pallmall @grandsommelier @ArvidRosengren @CMS_americas @KatLarsenMS I think the Port is a Colheita so it would be a tawny.

Wendouree is in the Clare Valley, not Eden.

https://t.co/pT0b4TuFBT

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

Just got an email from @TheWineSociety highlighting aged "anniversary wines" they have from 2013, 2003 & 1998 vintages & I have to say that is some really savvy marketing!

Don't have a 10, 20, 25th anniversary to celebrate this year but I'm still clicking to see what's offered!

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

@NovaCadamatre @JancisRobinson Oh my! That would be a nightmare. It does sound like it would be a good idea to get another 6pk as backup.

I will say, I do take a lot of comfort living in London so I won't have to travel far for the exams. I couldn't imagine the stress of traveling by air with these checked.

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

A lesson learned from the Rust S1 MW seminar is that I need to be practicing with better glassware than the small ISO glasses I used for Diploma. So I got @JancisRobinson’s universal glass. They look beautiful but hopefully all 12 make it to exam day!

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

@beckysueepstein @JancisRobinson Haven't played around with them yet but I appreciate the tip about paying attention to the fill levels! Especially important for color depth calls

[Amber @ SpitBucket.net @SpitbucketBlog]

@SiobhanTurner23 @JancisRobinson Oh yikes!