In the early 1990's, Steve Mancuso helped a few friends discover the enjoyment of wine by making recommendations of flavor profiles and suggesting food pairings.
The friends soon came to rely on Steve's recommendations for their wine purchase decisions and the word spread quickly. Within months, Steve's repuation for recommending wine and an exceptional ability to pair wine with food became increasingly popular among more friends, and friends of friends!
In response to the popularity, Steve began to document his wine and food suggestions in the form of a newsletter and used email as a vehicle for distribution. Steve's writing style was fun and unpretentious, but displayed value and conviction. His advice suggested that wine compromises were unnecessary and that good wine was affordable...you just have to find it! Since Steve was up to the task of "finding it," he set out on his mission and
hence, The Wine Snob was born!
As The Wine Snob popularity grew, the expectations grew and inspired Steve to become more knowledgeable. He scheduled frequent trips to wine regions including California, France, South Africa and various areas around the U.S. Wine country travels provided education, experience and a network of wine industry professionals including winery owners, winemakers, writers, culinary experts, etc. Complimenting the travel, The Wine Snob made an extensive effort to study and taste wines from all over the world including New Zealand, Spain, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Lebanon, Israel and Germany.
Today, The Wine Snob tastes several thousand wines each year through travels to wine regions and wine industry tasting events including invitations to international tasting competitions as a wine judge.
About The Wine Snob
OVERVIEW
The Wine Snob newsletter reaches thousands of readers and continues to grow. Queries from around the world include advice on every topic related to wine and has evolved The Wine Snob into a valued opinion on numerous topics including restaurants, wine accessories, construction of wine cellars and more. His uncompromising attitude, combined with an eye toward "value," has earned The Wine Snob a noteworthy reputation. In fact, many people view Steve's recommendations as a "Stamp of Approval" for Quality and Value for not only wine and food, but also for a broad spectrum of products and services. In some cases, folks have suggested that Steve should add to his titles, "Value Snob!"
CREDIBILITY
The Wine Snob's credibility is built upon diverse skills, intensity and passion for perfection.He travels andtastes wines extensively tomantain profiency and awareness. His practical approach of experimenting with food andwine (in his own
kitchen), provide him an unfair and unique advantage as he validates his food and winepairing recommendations.
Also, his no-nonsense evaluation is based solely on wine flavor and quality, using a simple rating scale ranging from Good to Yummy (and on seldom occassion, Wicked Yummy). The Wine Snob makesno rating adjustment for price or other external factor o rinfluence. Quite simply, price has no influence! Of course with a focus on value, The Wine Snob will always make note if a wine is a great value or if overly pricey!
WINE SNOB SERVICES
While The Wine Snob reader community spans international borders, the locals folks in the Tri-State area (NY,NJ, PA) also know The Wine Snob for his public and private Wine events. These events include public andprivate dinners, blind tastings and fundraising. The Wine Snob events are delivered in a format that areunique and out-of-the-box providing wine education that is fun, engaging and without intimidation.
THE WINE SNOB NETWORK
Over the years, The Wine Snob has developed relationships with restaurants, retailers, distributors, importers, corporations, foundations, associations and consumers, to provide a variety of wine experiences and educational services focused on wine enjoyment and knowledge. The Wine Snob has relationships with many wine and food entities where Value and Quality are foremost. While the list is always growing, "Snob-worthy" friends include, The Perryville Inn, Little Brothers Beverage, Metropolitan Seafood, Cape Classics, and Pasternak Importers, all who provide expectional service and high quality. These folks often extend promotions to The Wine Snob community (for more information please visit the "Network" page from the navigation bar).
THE WINE SNOB RATING SCALE
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As stated, The Wine Snob evaluation and rating scale is a no-nonsense evaluation based solely on wine flavor and quality. The scale ranges from Good to Yummy (see below) with no adjustments for price or other external factors/influences. Price doesn't make a wine taste different; however, values or lack thereof is called out as appropriate.
Good
Very Good
Almost Yummy
Yummy
Wicked Yummy
NOTE: Only wines that achieve a rating of "Good" or better are included in newsletters. It was learned early on that there is no benefit in sharing derogatory wine reviews nor is it an effiicient use of time. An exception to the rule is side-by-side blind tasting results, where all included wines are ranked/rated in the order determined by The Wine Snob tasting panel.