Hi, my name is Ralph Reynolds. I have been working in the hospitality industry for two decades, studied a few things along the way, helped make a child and became the husband to an awesome wife.
I have started this blog to share some of my experiences and assist in explaining the very convoluted, contradictory and sometimes downright confusing world of wine. The aim is to make it easier for those unfamiliar, or familiar, to enjoy and understand wine.
As well as sharing my knowledge through my blog, I am a registered Tourist Guide in the Western Cape and I want to show the Winelands to all those who want to see it. A picture might be worth a thousand words but feeling the wind on your face and the sun at your back will be worth infinitely more. And who is to say you can’t do it all?
Winelubber. A play on the word “landlubber.” Where a winelubber would be a person unfamiliar with the world of wine.
I am still a winelubber and always will be. I am still learning something new everyday.
I have completed a diploma in wine through the Cape Wine Academy, WSET level 3 in wines, South African Sommeliers Association certificate as well as the Intro course through the Court of Master Sommeliers, USA. I am also a registered tourist guide. I can rewire a plug, change a light bulb, change a dirty diaper and open a jar of pickles if I need to.
I am currently working as a sommelier in one of the top restaurants in South Africa, which boasts one of the best wine programmes in the country.
I have had the good fortune to have traveled to France on two separate occasions, as a member of the blind wine tasting team representing South Africa. These trips afforded me the privilege to meet many wine lovers from all corners of this world and see some of the most famed vineyard sights.
I hope that my comments and insights can help make the world of wine a little easier to understand.