Damien's adventures in viticulture, wine-making and wines.

Glass of wine inside a wine merchants

If you’re passionate about wine, you’ll love the art and science behind viticulture and wine-making. Viticulture involves growing grapevines, while wine-making transforms grape juice into wine. Both require dedication, attention to detail, and an understanding of the environmental and chemical factors that shape the final product.

Viticulture and wine-making offer endless opportunities for learning and exploration. With each harvest, there’s always something new to discover about grapevine biology and the wine-making process. Whether you’re an experienced winemaker or just starting out, you’ll find joy in exploring the nuances of terroir, grape varieties, and evolving wine-making techniques.

Dive deeper into viticulture and wine-making – it’s a journey that lasts a lifetime.

a bottle of Tarrango wine and a glass

The Tarrango Grape: Unveiling the History and Legacy of a Unique Vine

Discover the origins and unique qualities of the Tarrango grape, tracing its evolution from ancient times to its modern presence in viticulture.
bottle of Riesling sweet wine and cake

The Art and Science of Sweet Wine Making: Crafting Delightful Dessert Wines

Discover the artistry and scientific precision behind crafting sweet wines, exploring grape varieties, fermentation methods, and the spectrum of sweetness in dessert wines.
Damien writes about studying for WSET Level 3 Award in wine Feature Story

Decoding the WSET Level 3 Wine Exam - Challenges, Failures and Pathway to Success

Explore the challenges of the WSET Level 3 Wine Exam, understand why people sometimes stumble, and uncover strategies to transform the perception of difficulty into a pathway towards excellence.

Uncorking Excitement: Major Website Changes & New Wine Grape Varietals Library

Explore the World of Wine with me and the new A-Z of Grapes. Find connections based on style, flavours and viticulture facts.
Damien writes about three favourite lesser-known white grapes and their shared allure

Exploring Hidden Gems: Albariño, Picpoul, and Assyrtiko - The Rising Stars of White Grapes

Unveiling the delights of some of my personal favourites - lesser-known whites and their shared allure
Damien writes about studying for WSET Level 3 Award in wine

Studying WSET3 - Embracing Victory - Results Journey

Join me on a journey of nerves, confidence, and triumph as I share my experience and achievements from the WSET Level 3 Wine Exam, and the sweet taste of success!
Damien writes about studying for WSET Level 3 Award in wine

Studying for WSET Level 3 - Navigating the Roller Coaster Exam Experience

Join me on a rollercoaster journey through the WSET Level 3 Wine Exam, from pre-exam jitters to post-exam confidence, and the nerve-wracking wait for results.
Damien writes about studying for WSET Level 3 Award in wine

Studying for WSET Level 3 - Where do Wine Flavours and Aromas come from?

Discover the importance of primary, secondary, and tertiary flavors and aromas in wine and appreciate the many different factors that contribute to a wine’s unique character.
Picture of table with selection of cheese, fruit, crackers and sweet wine

Understanding the Wine Market: Key Participants and Trends Shaping the Industry

From growers and winemakers to distribution channels and consumers, discover how the market works and what’s driving changes such as direct-to-consumer sales, shipping of finished wine, demand for low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages, and sustainability.
Picture of Moet 2013 Vintage Champagne

Guide to Sparkling Wine

If I had a favourite style of wine - it would have to be Sparkling. Sparkling wine is a favorite among wine lovers, known for its effervescence and celebratory qualities. However, there’s more to sparkling wine than just popping a cork and toasting.
Damien writes about studying for WSET Level 3 Award in wine

WSET Level 3 - Factors affecting food and wine pairing

Food and wine pairing is an art that involves selecting the right wine to complement the flavours and textures of a particular dish. For the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wines, you more or less revisit material from Level 2 - but are now expected to write about it.

Damien writes about studying for WSET Level 3 Award in wine

Studying for WSET Level 3 - a weekly study plan

As someone who is passionate about wine and wants to deepen my knowledge of this fascinating subject, I recently created a study plan for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wines. With the help of ChatGPT, a language model trained by OpenAI, I was able to put together a comprehensive and organized plan that covers all the topics and materials I need to master in order to pass the WSET Level 3 exam.

Damien writes about studying for WSET Level 3 Award in wine

Studying for WSET Level 3 - supported by ChatGPT

As a Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) student, I understand the complexity and diversity of the world of wine. While WSET offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore this world, studying for the exams can be daunting. It requires a deep understanding of the subject matter and the ability to recall large amounts of information. Fortunately, I have found a powerful tool to assist me in my studies: ChatGPT.

Damien writes about studying for WSET Level 3 Award in wine

Studying for WSET Level 3 - my thoughts and tips

If you are a wine enthusiast like me, or a professional looking to enhance your knowledge and credibility in the world of wine, then the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wine is perfect for you. This globally recognized qualification provides a deep understanding of wine regions, grape varieties, and production techniques, and is an essential step towards becoming a certified wine geek.

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