In our latest blind tasting episode, host and Master Sommelier Christopher Tanghe speaks with Marissa Kipp and MS Tyler Alden. They discuss their blind tasting journeys, the challenges they've faced while honing their tasting abilities, and the role of alcohol in blind tasting.
Marissa Kipp is a sommelier at the retail shop Cru & Domaine in Portland, Oregon. She also works as a consultant, with a focus on hospitality and beverage education. Marissa is an Advanced Sommelier and holds the WSET Diploma. Tyler Alden is the director of food and beverage at Barking Frog and Willows Lodge in Woodinville, Washington. He has worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years and became a Master Sommelier in 2022. He is also a Certified Cicerone.
After their tasting conversations, Marissa and Tyler taste the same red wine. Listen closely and guess along with them! We reveal the wine at the end of the episode.
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Marissa is a sommelier at Cru & Domaine Fine Wine Merchants in Portland, Oregon. She worked in wineries, restaurants, and distribution before diving into retail in her current role. Marissa also consults with restaurant groups. She is an Advanced Sommelier, currently pursuing the Master Sommelier accreditation, and holds the WSET Diploma.
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Tyler serves as director of food and beverage at Barking Frog and Willows Lodge in Woodinville, Washington, where he has worked since 2019. A native of Seattle, he has spent over 20 years in the hospitality industry, working as a sommelier, wine director, and educator. Tyler passed the Master Sommelier exam in 2022. He is also a Certified Cicerone.
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Thank you for these - it's really lovely to hear the tastings and philosophy around tastings, as well as the struggles of the tasters and their delights. It's great to hear the dance around stated alcohol and what is in the glass. Alcohol is difficult to calibrate without being able to firmly corroborate with tech info (although I do appreciate that Soter is most likely giving good info on their wines!)
I'm looking forward to trying the Everclear calibration. Now, I want to try a Soter Pinot. Cheers!