Congratulations to Matt Frazier, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors!
About Matt:
Wine took on a special meaning for me when I was laid off from a longterm job. With a sudden clean slate, I dove into wine (not literally, but nearly) and soon realized there would always be something new to enjoy, appreciate, and learn. As a lifelong musician, I also discovered many connections between music and wine. Both are easy to enjoy, of course, but like great art, wine can also seem intimidating or overwhelming. So I’m now on a mission to make wine (and art) more accessible.
My first round of wine education was a sales and marketing certificate from the Northwest Wine Academy. I then completed WSET2 and WSET3 before the FWS program. I teach occasional classes through an informal culinary school in Seattle and find that I’m constantly referencing wine styles back to France. The FWS content provided me a chance to increase my perspective on and confidence about the world’s most important wine producing country. I’m not sure what further wine studies may be in my future, but I’m sure the FWS experience will always provide that important reference.
As a small winery owner, I spend as much time as possible interacting with customers directly and helping them explore their own wine curiosity and preferences. I expect the FWS program material will help me also make historical and cultural connections for my customers in these interactions.
