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Articles and Wine Reviews by Fred Swan

FredSwan.wine

About

 

Hi! I’m Fred Swan. I created NorCal Wine in 2008 to share information about the wines and wineries of Northern California, my home base. Since then, I and my readership have branched out considerably. This site still maintains a heavy California focus, but covers other regions and topics as well.

How I got into the wine biz

Call it an evolution. Call it a casual interest which became an obsession. I call it good fortune.

I didn’t grow up surrounded by wine or even seeing it at the dinner table regularly. I became interested when, well after college, I was working in Silicon Valley and found myself with both spare time and spare cash. I started going to local wine regions, especially Sonoma County and Napa Valley.

In the beginning, my taste was for the bold and fruity. The more oak and chocolate the better. That soon changed.

When I get interested in something, I tend to get pretty serious. So I read stacks of books and magazines. I spent increasing amounts of time in vineyards—not just locally but in Australia, France and wherever my regular business took me. I became an advisor to friends and co-workers on where to go, what to buy and which wine to pair with their meal.

Over time, as I tasted more and more wine, my palate became increasingly acute and discerning. I started to look for complexity and nuance. My natural preferences for elegance and quiet conversation came to the fore, leading me to seek that in wine. (Fortunately I’m still able to enjoy both the bold and the beautiful.)

Eventually, I found my daily work less compelling than the world of wine. Enticed by deliciousness, entertained by wine and food events, and charmed by the folks of the wine business who, for the most part, are in it for passion rather than outsized profit, I surrendered.

I quit the day job, accelerated my studies, and started writing, then teaching.

What I do aside from this site

I am a wine educator, freelance wine writer, event creator, retail wine steward, and sommelier.

For more than a decade, I have taught courses such as French Wine Scholar, Certified Specialist of Wine, and WSET Levels 2 and 3, courses focused on California, the Pacific Northwest, and many other regions. Currently, I’m an Associate Instructor for Cabrillo College and Associate Professor for San Joaquin Delta College. I also create customized classes and events for all levels of wine lovers, from beginners to winery staff and sommeliers. These activities can be conducted in person or virtually. Learn more about my virtual events on wine and spirits.

My freelance wine and spirits writing appears in a variety of places, both print and online. Lately, much of it has been in-depth, regional content for CapstoneCalifornia, the educational site of California Wine Institute. (Go to the site, then click on “Regions” to see what’s available.)

Fred Swan — credentials

In addition to extensive direct experience, oodles of international wine travel, tens of thousands of wines tasted, etc., I have studied wine formally and hold a number credentials. (And I’m working on more! There’s always something else to learn.)

Among my current credentials are Diploma in Wine & Spirits (WSET), Certified Specialist of Wine, French Wine Scholar, Italian Wine Professional, California Wine Appellation Specialist, Level 3 Sake (WSET), Sud France Wine Master, Certified WSET Level 3 Educator and Certified Napa Valley Wine Educator, and Certified Sommelier. I created a Northwest Wine Appellation Specialist course. I also have formal training as a chef.

I have been a fellowship recipient of the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers multiple times. I’m also an inductee of the Eschansonnerie des Papes, the honorary society of Chateauneuf du Pape.

Fred Swan — services (Hire me!)

Some of the services I offer in addition to teaching include:

I hope you enjoy this site and I look forward to hearing from you!