dICEd Blog Listing

In our Intensive Sommelier Training program, one of the things that becomes immediately clear to new students is the fact that a good amount of time will need to be spent outside of class to meet its...

I teach and oversee ICE's wine education program called Intensive Sommelier Training, which is designed to prepare students of wine to consider a future in the beverage industry. While, as the course...

Wine enthusiasts of all levels can pursue this exclusive program approved by the Court of Master Sommeliers and led by Dean of Wine Studies Scott Carney, MS. Scott is on the Court of Master Sommeliers...

“I decided that to live a rich life, I wanted to develop my senses of smell and taste,” Scott recalls. When he stumbled upon an assistant sommelier role at Boston’s Bay Tower Room, it seemed ideal...

The house has a long history of being passed down to different families — Pierlot, having no kin to entrust his vineyards to, willed his company to Eugene Laurent. In 1887, Laurent tragically passed...

After a recent trip to New Zealand as one of only 18 sommeliers in the world to be invited to the New Zealand Wine Sommit, she was inspired to learn more about the amazing wines produced in the...

Fortunately, this six-session survey of the world’s bounty of grapes – covering 60+ wines – offers some great holiday selections. Due to availability, the wines change regularly, but following are...

Spain began producing wine more than 3,000 years ago. The earliest examples were vineyards planted in the sherry-producing regions of Jerez and Cadiz, which date back to the Phoenicians around 1100 B...

What measurable benefit do I get by shooting for the apex of wine education? The coveted “MW” initials earned by only 370 candidates in the world? That’s a good question; one I ask myself each time I...

Opening a profitable restaurant requires millions of decisions, each of which has direct consequences on the bottom line. What is the theme, where will it be, who is my customer? When considering a...

USHG’s Wine Director and certified Master Sommelier, John Ragan, helps to develop and support the dynamic wine programs throughout USHG, each of which is characterized by thoughtful and interesting...

“Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies.” It’s a quote from Friedrich Nietzsche and not exactly what you'd expect to hear from a sommelier trying to sell you on Riesling. But when...