Tim Gaiser MS

08/19/2026

🍷 What does having a good palate for wine mean? Is there such a thing as a bad palate?

Find out in today's wine blog post.

What does having a good palate for wine mean? Is there such a thing as a bad palate? Unless someone can’t physiologically smell or taste anything, everyone has a palate.

08/17/2026

🍷 “Wine is the great connector—it connects us to people and places like a few other things.”
A quote from “Strong Water: Tales of a Master Sommelier’s Life in Food, Wine, and Restaurants"

https://timgaiser.com/strong-water/

08/14/2026

I would argue that beyond a certain point, some of the benefits of becoming a professional taster have little to do with wine. Instead, they have to do with changing how we perceive the world. Some changes are subtle, others can be profound.

If you're ready to embark on this journey, take Message in the Bottle with you.

Learn more in my book, Message in the Bottle: A Guide to Tasting Wine timgaiser.com/amazon

08/12/2026

“I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.” ~Obi-Wan Kenobi

“I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.”

08/07/2026

“The shared pleasure of a bottle of wine is one of life's great gifts.”

A quote from “Strong Water: Tales of a Master Sommelier’s Life in Food, Wine, and Restaurants.”

🔗 timgaiser.com/strong-water/

08/05/2026

Why does my wine taste better on vacation?

It’s a question I sometimes get asked at consumer tastings. Someone tells me about a wine they had while on vacation in an exotic location like Provence. How it was the best thing ever. So good that they bought a case and then schlepped it back with great expense. Only to open a bottle at home and find the wine not nearly as good as when they drank it in situ.

There is a reason for this. Read about it in today's post.

Often people tells me about a wine they had while on vacation, only to open the same bottle at home and find it's not nearly as good as they remember.

08/03/2026

Wine is Not That Complicated...

Know your wines in less than 500 words with my free guide 🍷

CLICK THE LINK TO DOWNLOAD timgaiser.com/wineguide

08/03/2026

... the most bizarre combination of horrific aromas I’ve ever experienced.

https://timgaiser.com/wine-blog/my-first-durian-experience/

How would a master sommelier describe the taste of durian, a fruit so pungent, it’s banned on public transportation throughout Southeast Asia?

07/31/2026

Somewhere in Santiago, Chile, a forgotten poncho now lies in darkness, collecting dust and becoming more corked every day. But at least it’s not in my garage. And that’s a very good thing.

Let me tell you of my wine-tasting adventure in Chile, where the I won a unique prize: a real-life poncho made from the wool of native sheep.

07/29/2026

There are any number of tragic tales about couples not meant to be. But there are also infinitely more stories, most unheralded, about couples who somehow found each other and then went on to live a wonderful life together.

Which brings us to July 26th, and the fact that it was Carla’s and my 46th anniversary.

History is filled with star-crossed lovers.