


Message in the Bottle: A Guide to Tasting Wine
Unlock the secrets of professional wine tasting with Master Sommelier Tim Gaiser, an industry expert with over three decades of experience with teaching thousands of students at every level. Whether you’re a student preparing for a certification exam, an industry veteran looking to improve your tasting, or a consumer just getting into wine, Message in the Bottle: A Guide to Tasting Wine is an invaluable resource.
Tim Gaiser, Master Sommelier
Tim Gaiser is an internationally renowned wine expert and lecturer. He is one of less than 300 individuals worldwide to ever attain the elite Master Sommelier title. He is the former Director of Education and Education chair for the Court of Master
Sommeliers, Americas, and an instructor for the Napa Valley Wine Academy.
Over his 30-plus year career, Tim has taught thousands of students in wines and spirits classes at every level as well as developing wine education programs for restaurants, winery schools and wine distributors. He has experience in all phases of the wine industry: online, wholesale, retail, winery, and restaurants.
Tim has written for a number of publications including Fine Cooking Magazine and the Somm Journal and also writes for numerous wine and spirits clients. He has served as the author and lead judge for the Best Young Sommelier Competition and the Top Somm Competition.
Prior to developing his wine expertise, Tim received an M.A. in Classical Music. He played classical trumpet as a freelance professional and as an extra with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. He currently lives with his family in New Mexico.
Strong Water: Tales of a Master Sommelier’s Life in Food, Wine, and Restaurants
With wit and wisdom, Gaiser demystifies the world of fine wine while celebrating the joys of sharing a great meal. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or simply enjoy a good story, “Strong Water” provides a delightful blend o f humor, expertise, and passion for the finer things in life.

Blog
Pale Fire Part II – Riesling
My previous post from April 23rd was the first of two about a recent trip to Austria. In it, I focused on Grüner Veltliner and favorite wines tasted...
Butterscotch on a picnic table
The other night with dinner we enjoyed the first bottle out of my cellar in over seven years. Allow me to explain—and full disclosure here. When we...
Pale Fire: Part I
I remember when I first got into wine eons ago. I had just moved to San Francisco, so was only an hour and change from Napa and Sonoma. No surprise...