In blog 274, I delved into Level two sommelier course.. Now, let’s talk about the journey to get https://vino-rater.com is live.

Ah, the journey with Vino-Rater has been quite the ride! From snagging that perfect URL to dusting off my WordPress skills, it’s been a whirlwind of excitement. Sure, I’ve toyed around with Instagram, TikTok, You Tube, Threads Facebook and the likes, figuring out what clicks with folks, even diving into video content. And let’s not forget the quizzes – a fun way to engage with the wine community.

Securing the URL:

Securing that URL was like striking gold – Vino-Rater just had that ring to it, you know? And crafting the site? Well, that’s been a labor of love. From breaking down varietals to exploring regions and nailing down food pairings, it’s been a journey of discovery. And those You Tube videos? A work in progress, but hey, I’ve got two loyal subscribers – shoutout to the wife and daughter!

Scoring System

I decided to use a version of the famous 100 point system for my reviews that is common in the wine world. To rate them properly you look at a few key components and points you will award for each:

• Color score (1-15)
• Aroma score (1-25)
• Palate score (1-25)
• Overall quality (1-35)

From there you must have a scale. I used the basic 100-point scale and changed a few things that are import to me in rating a wine.

100 points you are in love with

95-99 is world class.

90-94 is outstanding.

85-89 is excellent but it’s missing something that would make it outstanding.

80-84 is missing a few of those.

Anything less I try not to drink, life is too short. The challenge is to find cheaper wines that you can rate higher, such is my goal.

Back on Track

Sure, there were moments of frustration – like figuring out that leaderboard – but hey, who said it’d be easy? And as for the website’s aesthetics, well, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Life threw a few curveballs my way, but I’ve bounced back stronger. Family travels, Friends coming over and all, but now?

Now, I’m back on track. My aim? To blitz through those Sommelier school courses, soak up every detail, and maybe sprinkle some newfound knowledge into the quizzes. My Sommelier Pin is so close I can taste it. See, Swirl, Sniff, Sip and savor.

For now, I’m reveling in the joy of this journey, finally putting myself first and doing what truly makes me happy – sharing my passion for wine with the world. Cheers to that!