(pronounced suh-mal-‘yAy)

In Medieval Provençal times they were saumaliers, animal pack drivers who evolved during Middle French kingdom to become court officials charged with transportation of supplies. So what does a modern day Sommelier actually do? Well, Wikipedia outlines as such, “A sommelier or wine steward is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, normally working in fine restaurants who specializes in all aspects of wine service as well as wine and food matching. The most important work of a sommelier is in the areas of wine procurement, wine storage, wine cellar rotation, and expert service to wine consumers.” Read More >

If you’re still looking for the Christmas present for the wine enthusiast, chances are this individual, having been bitten by the wine bug, will have a thirst for wine knowledge even greater than the product itself. Tutored wine courses are a great we to satiate this thirst, the better ones more focused on actual tasting with a dynamic tutor, such as Singapore’s Taberna Wine Academy with our very own guru palate TAN Ying Hsien – the man is a wine prophet and excellent communicator – moreover, he has a good sense of humour and his wine course are fun. See below and visit www.taberna.sg

PS, this is the Wandering Palate’s favourite wine bar in Singapore, away from all the boozing crowds on the Quay’s and pedestrian bar strips, this is a very civilised and cosy wine bar tucked away in Binjai Park (off Dunearn Road). The wine list is extraordinary – a very personal (cellar) selection with some of the world’s greatest producers, at the same time always same amazing discoveries and bargains that Ying has unearthed – One frequently hears that the Singapore wine consumer is purely obsessed with super-fine wine and yet whenever I am at Taberna, I always see the patrons enjoying modest and obscure wines from all over the world – thanks to Ying’s ever-inquisitive palate.

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