Forget Working Fast Food - U.C. Davis Students Tackle the Wine Review Business

Two U.C. Davis students depart from normal day jobs as they venture out into the world of wine. Romany Reagan, author of "Wine and the City", and Michael Keba, author of "Wine 101", have created personal columns at ClassicWines.com. Reagan and Keba explore the often intimidating culture of wine and describe their learning experiences. Reagan, a student of the University of California Davis Distance Learning program, lives in New York and writes while pursuing an acting career; Keba attends the U.C. Davis campus as a Viticulture and Enology student.

Viticulture and Enology, while obscure in some areas, is an important industry in California. As the popularity of California wine grows, so does the notoriety of U.C. Davis' programs. According to interim department chair Andrew Waterhouse, "UC Davis is a research university. As such, we strive to give students a deep understanding of the science that can impact final wine quality, encouraging them to think critically and solve problems creatively. They leave with the ability to learn quickly on the job, and can adapt to new issues. This education allows them to meet changing market demands in ways that address both wine quality parameters and sustainable production practices."

The classical vision of wine deriving strictly from French chateaus is coming to an end, and new generations of students are embracing the chance to learn. One walk down a standard liquor store isle reveals the fact that wine is becoming more and more diverse. Certainly for Reagan and Keba, there is much to learn.

Romany Reagan's posts are diverse as she describes her encounters in New York City. She offers wine reviews and personal anecdotes. http://www.classicwines.com/articles.php?cat=22

Michael Keba attempts to navigate the world of wine making. He tackles a variety of difficulties and offers his commentary on the unexpected twists he experiences. http://www.classicwines.com/articles.php?cat=29

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ClassicWines.com is an online resource for wine reviews, wine prices, and wine ratings. Visit the site at http://www.classicwines.com.