@JimBube

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Welcome to #SommChat everyone! Tell your friends to join us to learn about #wine from Master Sommelier Jim Bube @JimBube!

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: We’d like to introduce you to Master #Somm Jim Bube @JimBube to talk about #wine! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: We're about ready to dive in w/questions, so shout out to Jim to say hello & so he knows you're here! #WineWednesday #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Don't forget that EVERY tweet during this chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order for everyone to see it!

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: As we ask Jim Bube @JimBube our Qs, you can ask your Qs as well! He'll do his best to answer all Qs in the order they come #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: W so many participants lots of gr8 Q's R asked! Even if u dont ask 1--give a S/O 2 @KeeperColl & @JimBube 2 let us know u R here! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Let's start talking #wine with Master #Somm Jim Bube @JimBube #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JimBube how did you first become interested in learning about #wine? #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: The novelty of rocking Carlo Rossi jugs at college house parties is how this whole habit started #SommChat

Douglas Trapasso @demilove: Hey! I know this guy! - #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: What's up, Doug! #SommChat

Douglas Trapasso @demilove: I have stored that Riesling you represent for FOUR WHOLE DAYS! (Guessing it still might not be ready) #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @demilove how do you know @JimBube #SommChat

Douglas Trapasso @demilove: We’re both chicago based have met at many tastings #SommChat

Peter Phlaehn @MSPwineguy: Checking in to make sure @JimBube doesn’t duck the hard questions. 😜 #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: #SommChat is hardball!

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm can u share ur progression in the #wine industry and what would say was UR best stepping stone to success @JimBube

Jim Bube @JimBube: Bars and restaurants @fogorestaurants Holla! We were rocking 1,000 cover nights selling a lot of wine in the heyday of pharmaceutical expense accounts, jumped then to wholesale for twelve years then newly in importing. Genuine curiosity, tho #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JimBube tell us about your journey to becoming a Master #Somm - what interested you in going down the @MasterSommUS path? #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: Candidly I'd heard it was very difficult and always love a challenge. I absolutely adore giving quality service to a guest either in a restaurant or on the wholesale level. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm how long did it take you to get MS and will it change your career path in the #wine world @JimBube

Jim Bube @JimBube: Was 6 years all in. I've recently started a new job with @DrinkWildman and have no plans to move. Looking forward to learning the import game. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm any insights you can give me in theory, tasting, or service to enhance chances 4 Advanced #Sommelier testing @JimBube

Jim Bube @JimBube: Put in the reps for tasting and focus on the wines you DON'T like. Also don't treat the service exam as a theory exam, it took me 3 years to realize that you're being assessed on your interpersonal comm and mechanics #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm can U tell us major diffs bw wholesale & import side and any skill sets U think R better 4 1 over the other @JimBube

Jim Bube @JimBube: I'm very new to importing but it requires much more office work and planning, it's steering a larger ship.Wholesale is maybe more immediately satisfying because you get the rush of the sale in person more often. Both need strong communication skills #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm thinking abt starting the study process @JimBube do you have any advice for someone wanting to become a Master #Somm?

Jim Bube @JimBube: Realize what is is not important in what you're studying. For example soil types in Sancerre are important however less so in Amarone. Also be honest with yourself if you know you're ignoring something you personally don't find interesting but you'll need to know #SommChat

Peter Phlaehn @MSPWineGuy: Key point here. Understanding a region includes triaging priority details vs trivia. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm what do U think makes imports fr Frederick Wildman different from other importers @JimBube

Jim Bube @JimBube: @DrinkWildman is one of the oldest importers in the United States and have some very great, very long relationships in #Burgundy and Italy. The portfolio and people are excellent. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JimBube Tell us abt what you do as Central Regional Mgr for Frederick Wildman Co? #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: I work with our distributor partners to make sure the wines are priced correctly and promotions in place to make sure we're keeping the product moving for our family estates overseas #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JimBube pls share what you did as Director of Education for Heritage wine cellars? #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: I did semi-weekly educational seminars on wine regions / production techniques, really anything I thought was interesting for our staff @HeritageWineIL Also held tastings with rare wines from the owner's cellar when he let me ;) #SommChat

Douglas Trapasso @demilove: @KeeperColl - what are some jobs avail at a @DrinkWildman for those of us who love/know wine but don’t have restaurant floor experience? #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: Typically importers hire from the wholesale tier and look for very strong interpersonal relationships and organizational skills over floor experience #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Thanks @TEXSOM for the #SommChat S/O today on #WineWednesday @JimBube is rocking it

Douglas Trapasso @demilove: @KeeperColl - do you speak multiple languages I imagine that would be a major advantage as an importer - #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: Hablo un poquito de Espanol, but it's pretty weak #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm what states do U cover as Central Reg. Mgr for @DrinkWildman & what diffs do U see in mkts in #wine interests @JimBube

Jim Bube @JimBube: It's probably too early for me to speak intelligently on this as I'm coming up on 2 months or so on the job but I was surprised to learn that St.Louis is a huge Burgundy market! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat peep @JimBube how much travelling do you do for your job, and is most of ur #travel in US or Internationall? #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: Used to travel much lots internationally in wholesale, now on the import-side it's more within the US but I'm hoping to change that! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm what do U do when U represent a #wine U don’t like but must sell @JimBube Do U do education in UR @DrinkWildman job?

Jim Bube @JimBube: It's important to find the right home for the right wine. I'm not the target market for most of the wine sold in the US and that's ok. As a salesperson, I'm not a gatekeeper I do education for our supplier partners in my states #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JimBube what are some of your favorite #wines right now? #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: I love the wines of Chablis reeeal hard also @teddyoenos portfolio out of Greece is one of the reasons I'm in the biz, very special stuff. Also #Riesling obvi #Basicsomm #SommChat

Ted Diamantis @teddyoenos: It takes an open mind a great palate to be inspired! Thanks @JimBube for letting the light in and inspiring others! #greekwines

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm any good BTG recs from the @DrinkWildman u see as good PQR @JimBube would like both suggestions 4 classic & obscure

Jim Bube @JimBube: Egon Muller makes some killer, affordable Riesling from Slovakia Chateau Bela that's fascinating and sells for a song. Faiveley Bourgogne Rouge and Blanc punch well above their pricepoints La Scolca Gavi and Hugel Riesling as well #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: We will B on lookout 4 Egon Muller #Slovakia #wine Hey @austinwinemerch can you get Chateau Bela in #austin through @DrinkWildman #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JimBube have you seen any strong trends in the #US #wine market recently? #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: #Roseallday of course! It's on every girls @Tinder profile and is wild because no one cares what grapes they're made from as long as it's pink unlike red or white wine #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm how many distributors do U work with & how do U manage them all - do U set up appts R do they request ur Time @JimBube

Jim Bube @JimBube: Presently 8. It's a give and take, we have our planning meetings for 2018 coming up in the coming weeks. They'll reach out to me if I'm needed for a trade tasting or event as well #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm N new #wine Position N resto, what should 1 do if U want a wine & Distr. won't call back? call importer R no? @JimBube

Jim Bube @JimBube: Woof, that always boggled my mind when I was briefly buying. I'd say yes, hit up the importer and they'll shake the tree for you #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JimBube do you remember the first wine you ever had and what was it and how UR palette has changed since then? #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: First "wine" ever was probably Boone's Farm. First good bottle was Columbia Crest or Gallo of Sonoma Cabernet. As most industry folks, I tended to gravitate towards more subtle wines #SommChat

Jill Zimorski @jillzimorski: So much for that recently espoused idea (article) that people can't/don't progress from lower quality/commercial wine --> fine wine consumption! Play on player! Clap clap!! #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: Damn straight @jillzimorski #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm how have ppl in UR work and Personal world reacted since you became @MasterSommUS @JimBube what did U drink 2 celebrate

Jim Bube @JimBube: People have been unbelievably congratulatory which sometimes makes me uncomfortable because I'm not super into being in the spotlight but everyone's been v cool. Drank some 2002 @Pol_Roger Blanc de Blancs! #SommChat

John Lenart @jmlenart: Let me know if you need to be taken down a notch or two @JimBube I'm happy to help :-) #Sommchat Seriously wear it with pride, you earned it.

Blake Leja @blejawine: @KeeperColl for Jim Bube, MS what are your thoughts on the Sommelier community in the mid-west as whole? Growing faster than anticipated? #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: For sure @blejawine our tasting group is bursting at the seams and we don't let in anyone who's at all weak. It's very exciting to see. I'm looking forward to seeing the Advanced passes today @MasterSommUS in STL #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Great to see you here today on #SommChat @blejawine with @JimBube

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat peep @JimBube new in #wine world as consumer how do you identify a good bottle of wine? Best way to learn?

Jim Bube @JimBube: The age old question! I always recommend you develop a relationship with a good retailer who will take the time to get to know what you like. Wine is so personal and retailers taste probably more than anyone in the biz. Personal reccos are the way to go #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @JimBube how old were U when U realized you wanted to work in the #wine industry? If not doing #wine what would be UR dream job? #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: I realized it was going to be a career when my color-blind ass tried to do freelance graphic design while working in restaurants. Pro-tip, you need to tell purple from blue to be a graphic designer. I sort of backed into it. I'd probably be a philosophy professor #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm can U give any suggestions on how to work w/ resto owner on progressive pricing to help improve #wine sales @JimBube

Jim Bube @JimBube: You need to explain that you don't put percentages in the bank, you put $ in the bank. If your expensive inventory is stagnating that's money wasted. Unless you're trying to build a trophy program, sell that Harlan allocation! Ppl who buy these wines know what they cost #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm any suggestions on #wine list creation - i.e. seen lists that ppl like better bc of Organization than others @JimBube

Jim Bube @JimBube: I personally like lists organized by region/variety, not by price or "intensity," what have you but certain concepts/clientele may dictate otherwise #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Time to wrap up! Hope you enjoyed this hour of #wine talk w/ Master #Somm Jim Bube @JimBube #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: It was great to have @JimBube join us today for #SommChat. We hope everyone learned as much as we did!

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Please join us in thanking Jim Bube @JimBube for his time #SommChat

Jim Bube @JimBube: Lovely hour spent taking my mind off my annoying illness. Huge thanks @KeeperColl and the community, y'all the cat's pajamas #SommChat