Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Dr. Sid Solomon Discusses Steps for Becoming a Sommelier

For anyone who has ever acted on the advice of a Master Sommelier, it should be plainly evident that the amount of knowledge possessed by these wine experts is simply beyond description. With the guidance these wine aficionados are able to provide, wine enthusiasts are able to not only select a wine that pairs exceptionally well with a particular meal, but they are also able to develop a much deeper understanding of the many factors influencing the unique experience associated with a particular bottle. As Dr. Sid Solomon has pointed out, a depth of knowledge such as that possessed by a Master Sommelier requires a total devotion to education that can last for many years.

According to Dr. Solomon, there are only a total of 230 Master Sommeliers in the world, making it among the most exclusive and demanding professions. This is because the obstacles associated with earning the title of Master Sommelier are incredibly difficult to overcome, particularly the four examinations that must be successfully completed before earning the rare title associated with the most knowledgeable of wine experts worldwide. Each exam is more difficult than the one preceding it, with very few able to successfully pass all four. The first exam is the Introductory Sommelier Course & Exam, which is followed by the Certified Sommelier Exam, the Advanced Sommelier Exam and, finally, the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam.

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Friday, March 18, 2016

John Pryor Strength Training Advice: Are There Any Risks or Rewards Associated With Wine Consumption?

One of the most compelling questions regarding strength training and nutrition involves not only what should be included to generate the greatest possible fitness gains, but also what should be excluded to avoid the possibility of negating the benefits of fitness training. For John Pryor, strength training principles and nutritional guidelines are just not simple enough that they can be defined as either “good” or “bad.”

Instead, John Pryor, rugby strength and conditioning coordinator for the Japan Rugby Football Union, advocates for an approach that is individualized according to the specific needs of the athlete and is therefore able to yield the best possible result. When it comes to developing a nutrition plan to include alongside a fitness program, there is indeed some room to include a modest amount of wine consumption.

Though it may come as something of a surprise to athletes who have been told to completely eliminate all forms of alcohol while training for an athletic competition, the fact of the matter is that many of the most respected coaches in the history of sport have known that a modest amount of alcohol may actually be quite beneficial. Arthur Lydiard, for example, often advised his athletes to drink a glass of dark beer with dinner, believing this practice could help reduce muscle inflammation for a speedier recovery.

When it comes to wine in particular, red wine has long been known to be dense with the kind of antioxidants critical to any athlete in training. There have also been some recent studies indicating that a daily glass of red wine can actually increase natural testosterone production, but moderation is necessary to reap the rewards. Just as a single glass of wine can be surprisingly beneficial for an athlete, it is also true that too much of a good thing yields the opposite outcome.

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