Placomusophilia sounds like something that requires a course of antibiotics to clear up.  It’s actually a hobby — collecting the colorful, unique metal caps found on the tops of Champagne and other sparkling wine corks.  But the word, placomusophilia, makes...

Guess what I’m not doing today?  Studying. I sat for my WSET3 Advanced Exam last night.  A three-hour exam, consisting of two wines in blind tasting, 50 multiple choice questions, and four 4-part essay questions.  I haven’t written that...

After 36 relentless hours of snow and w-i-n-d, the Blizzard of 2016 is over. Jonas is gone. We have an easy 2-1/2 feet of snow on the ground, and drifts of over 4 feet (when you talk...

A continuing series on wine labels, and the wines that wear them, under the macro lens. I love to take photos of pieces of things with my macro lens — pieces of wine labels seemed like a natural extension of that inclination....

A continuing macro-photography series on wine labels, and the wines that wear them. I love to take photos of pieces of things with my macro lens — pieces of wine labels seemed like a natural extension of that inclination.  It’s a lot...

I love things made out of recycled wine bottles, corks, barrels, etc.  And we drink a ton of wine here at Haus Armchair Sommelier, so I have recycled wine materials coming out of my elbows. But I’m a terrible crafter....

A few days ago, I received a belated Christmas gift from a good friend (we find the holidays are more magical if you stretch them into February). Check out these lovely glasses made out of recycled/repurposed wine bottles.  These are right...

Christmas is a lot of work.  Anyone who’s ever been in charge of Christmas knows that.And for the past couple of days, I’ve been hustling and bustling all over the place here at Casa de Armchair Sommelier. Once upon a...

I’m not a crafter.  I don’t have the patience for it.  And I usually end up gluing my fingers together or inhaling glitter.  But every once in a while, I find inspiration . . . and (shocker),...

126 wine labels and a gallon of Modge Podge later . . . Ta-Da!! I saw this idea on Pinterest a few months ago.  I’m not usually a crafter, but sometimes I pretend.  This was one of...