Somm, The documentary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=O4zeyuk8hL8

After reading the reviews and watching that two and a half minute trailer I am really looking forward to seeing this film about four young men working toward their Master Sommelier certification. While that might not be everyones idea of a great movie to go see with their wife, it is mine. Here at Harry's we learn, we teach and are immeressed in the world of wine. I have had opportunities to taste some of the worlds great wines and have been exposed to wine makers and industry professionals, great lovers and collectors of wine that have helped to broadened my horizons beyond my greatest expectations. I started as a chef who liked wine, but in the last decade plus since I was bitten by the bug my life has turned as have the others on our staff. This one little fruit with it's thousands of varieties, regions, vintages,and personalities.

From cat pee to wet paint, loamy soil to roses and dried leaves, Pink Grapefruit, Road tar and on... Putting words to smells, flavors, textures and density. So many different things to consider in my own mind and now I am trying to convey it to hundreds of personalities that walk through our door. How can I help you to understand through words a sensation or flavor that will help you to decide whether or not this is right for you? That is my job and there is a balance to it and it is not easy to learn.

The men in the movie are egomaniacs obsessed with a fruit. That may be oversimplifying it but when we are training our staff it is very important to remember. This staff is not only obsessed with this fruit, We are also very much driven to help others to break down the wall of the haves and the have nots in the wine world. The exclusivity of wine is perhaps its biggest draw and also its biggest flaw. Why is it ok to like or not like the things we eat like Lamb or seafood but seemingly not ok to have your own opinion about a glass of wine? Why is a persons opinion about a particular wine so black and white? It is sort of silly when we think about it and has been a regular conversation on the floor here through the years. You are drinking the wine, you know what you like or don't like and no one should be ashamed of what makes them happy when they pull the cork.
We are the conduit to expanding that experience and to trying new things, using our experience to help you to get the most out of your experiences with wine. Talk to our staff and build a relationship that enables us to make your experience better. Simple right? Nope, wine is just not that easy. However, one fact remains and that is that what it important to you should be. What is important to someone else is exactly that, important to them.

Now, off to be a wine geek and find out where this movie is playing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=O4zeyuk8hL8

http://www.seattleweekly.com/film/947325-129/exam-wine-brian-somm-add-captions