Behind the Line
Topic: Background
It's All in the Past: Drinking Memories
When you first started drinking, did it take you a while to warm up to wine and/or beer?
- Charlie Berg
- Sommelier
- Michael Mina Bourbon Steak DC
- Washington, DC
My first real drinking memory was with Sean Brock and Adam Musick, funneling Killians Red behind Sean's house on Bradley Street, in Abingdon Virginia. After that time in life I didn't drink really ...
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First hangovers are as pivotal in life as our first lost tooth. How did you get your first hangover? How did you deal with it?
- Scott Tyree
- Sommelier
- Cape Elizabeth, Maine
It was 32 years ago. To this day, I prefer not to discuss it, thank you.
At first, stemware can seem an overwhelming task. How did you learn about stocking proper stemware for wine, cocktails and beer?
- Charlie Berg
- Sommelier
- Michael Mina Bourbon Steak DC
- Washington, DC
Study, and on the job training. I think people over-complicate stemware. Do I think the Riedel Sommelier stems make a difference when tasting great red Burgs? Yes. And huge, Bordeaux glasses are fa...
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When you were newly legal (hopefully), when and where did you have your first drink? What was it?
- Charlie Berg
- Sommelier
- Michael Mina Bourbon Steak DC
- Washington, DC
Jager Bombs at Alta Cucina's bar, it was fun, I think.
It seems most people start drinking with beer... when did you start dabbling in cocktails?
- Adam Seger
- Mixologist
- Hum Spirits Co.
- Chicago, IL
My dad was a bartender in college. Growing up, I always thought that was cool. I learned to bar tend at Cornell by ‘Bud’ at The Statler Hotel, the teaching hotel of Cornell Hotel School. He taught ...
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Whether your liquor of choice was tequila or whiskey or something else, shots are a popular entry point for newbie drinkers. What were your favorite shots in your younger years?
- Scott Tyree
- Sommelier
- Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Jack Daniels
Did you go through a Gallo jug phase before appreciating wine?
- Charlie Berg
- Sommelier
- Michael Mina Bourbon Steak DC
- Washington, DC
Never Gallo, never jugs, but plenty of grocery store vino.
Sure, wine coolers may be taboo to you now, but back in your early drinking days, it's a smooth transition to the world of booze. Did you go through a wine cooler phase?
- Scott Tyree
- Sommelier
- Cape Elizabeth, Maine
No.
What is your fondest wine-related memory?
- Scott Tyree
- Sommelier
- Cape Elizabeth, Maine
I feel very fortunate to say that there are way too many to choose from.