I have enjoyed this week of studying at my bro's. Yesterday, my coach Greg Randle, CWE blind tasted me over here. I did alright.

Much like the weather, this week's been tumultuous. Look at this shot from yesterday afternoon.

Anne getting ill was very sad. I hate to see her in pain. She went and got some better meds, which included some vikes for the pain.

I am so thankful for the weather. It was a nice study break to just look out the huge windows to see the different weather transitions.

Yesterday's sunset was lovely. This week has been a much needed retreat. An opulent refuge, where I can relax and study at the same time.

With the MS Diploma Exam so close, the posts and tweets must stop for a while. Intense focus is my new constant companion. Wish me luck!!

Anthony Garcia
www.wineisdivine.com
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

Making some last minute flashcards from the study guides (Guild of Sommeliers), I don't want anything to fall through the cracks.

Still blind tasting myself from the 187ml sample bottle stash. This time I went upstairs to the study, which faces west. Plenty of natural light this time of day.

Still looking after my lovely (and incredibly) sick wife. Strep sucks!

Anthony Garcia
www.wineisdivine.com
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

We were going to taste six wines today, but Anne's sick. My coach, Greg Randle, CWE and I had a backup plan. He selected wines from the stash of 187ml bottles we've been making these four months. I took this box of wines to my brother's & pulled four.

I forgot what tons of natural light does for blind tasting. My place is so dark compared to his!

Anthony Garcia
www.wineisdivine.com
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

Anne rarely gets sick. She's feverish and has a very (I mean extremely) sore throat. I made this loquat-honey-lemon remedy.

A storm just rolled in from the east, too. I hope this drink soothes her pain. When it rains it pours.

Anthony Garcia
www.wineisdivine.com
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

The Master Sommelier Diploma Exam is one month away. The Guild of Sommeliers website has these amazing study guides. The site has many wonderful features, but the study guides with corresponding practice exams are its greatest resource. If you are planning on taking any CMS exam, spend the $100 to join. Well worth it.

What I gorgeous day. I'm watching light to heavy rains roll in and out, studying and sheltered on this incredible veranda. Plus, I don't have to water the plants!

Anthony Garcia
www.wineisdivine.com
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

My bro's out of town. I asked if I could do a little studying at his resort, while he's gone. He said, "Yes!"

Reading about sustainable viticulture with my new friend Carly. It's breezy & I'm not even breaking a sweat. The Westlkake Hills are in the distance.

Almost time to fire up the grill and jump in the pool. Study break!

More...

Full moon fever.

Anthony Garcia
www.wineisdivine.com
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

Painful. I'd like to say I've been killing it these several weeks of tasting. Not the case this year. Sometimes, it's the wines being indicative of nothing. Other times, it's just me blowing it. The Master Sommelier Diploma Exam is just weeks away.

I'm here at the UTFAL trying to figure out my problem. I think I need to re-categorize the way I view wine. Taking into account varietal and region, I'm examining six broad categories for the whites: Wooded, Über-floral, Semi-floral, Reticent, Tactile, and Semi-Sweet to Sweet. Things are starting to make sense.

On to the reds...

Anthony Garcia
www.wineisdivine.com
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

Anne had another busy and fun night at Cipollina. Jeffrey's Restaurant was nuts; we were crushed from 7:30 on. When we slowed down a bit, I walked across the street to find they were swamped, too.

Cipollina was still pretty hopping (above just before close). When she finished, we took some food to go, walked it home, drank some Bandol Rosé, and compared our nights.

This is an ideal situation.

Anthony Garcia
www.wineisdivine.com
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

There is only one table in the main dining room where I can practice service the way I'll be tested for the MS Diploma Exam. Table 22 has just enough room for me to go clockwise around.

It has a counterpart in the bar, table 85. I get excited any time these tables are seated. 

Our rush is happening now. Gotta go.

Anthony Garcia
www.wineisdivine.com
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine

Flipping, reading a study guide and occasionally watching the traffic go down 1st Street. There are only three places to drink espresso (and study) in ATX: Houndstooth, Caffe Medici and here.

Anthony Garcia
www.wineisdivine.com
http://twitter.com/wineisdivine