Today we’d like to introduce you to Eddie Cohen.
Hi Eddie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been fascinated by the complexities of wine. In 1998, a bicycle tour through Bordeaux confirmed my interest. There are mysteries and joys to be revealed.
In 2014 I spoke with someone about getting involved in the wine business and was told to study for, and take the Guild of Masters Introductory course and exam that was being given in Minneapolis. I did, and I passed.
I followed that with a fall semester course at St. Paul College and it was during this course, given by industry professional Nikki Erpelding, that I got the idea for Drink Wine and Learn. The course consisted of weekly background learning topics followed by course related wine bottle tastings. It was so much fun and so eye opening that it occurred to me that this could be a little ‘gig’ business. For birthdays, anniversaries, weddings. graduations or just for fun, friends and families could gift a private wine tasting experience!
Since taking that college course, I passed the WSET Level 3 Advanced course for Sommeliers and subsequently the Wine Scholar Guild Study and Exams for the Wines of France and Spain. (I’m currently studying the Wine Scholar Guild course for ITALY)
In 2022 I retired from my career as a lighting technician for Film and Television and began working in wine stores in the Twin Cities. I also created an LLC, a Website: www.drinkwineandlearn.com, a Facebook page: Drink Wine and Learn and an Instagram page: @drinkwinelearn. So now I’m ready to bring my knowledge and enthusiasm for understanding and appreciating wines to inquisitive wine lovers in the Twin Cities both novice and experienced.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The wine study path has been smooth. From my first teacher through all my self guided courses, the prevailing discovery is that learning about wine is not work, because I enjoy it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love the way wine tastes, smells and feels. It excites me. I find joy in watching someone discover something in wine that they hadn’t noticed before. If there’s something that sets me apart it might be my style of description. I find wine can be compared to music, or art and even film. In terms of tone, complexity and intensity, wine can be compared to these art forms. i.e. This wine is like a plaintive violin solo, while this wine is more like a symphony….
But I love it when people offer their own descriptions of wine. It’s shared experience that makes it expressly human.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
The risk I take as a private wine tasting professional is low. If people want to learn about wine, they will.
There’s always a chance that someone at the tasting will simply not understand or appreciate new-found knowledge.
But it hasn’t happened yet.
Pricing:
- Budget wines
- Dinner wines
- Special Occasion wines
- Rare wines
- Unusual wines
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drinkwineandlearn.com
- Instagram: @drinkwinelearn
- Facebook: Drink Wine and Learn
