Vinifera Vines Presents: Sommelier Sensei
A Mange-Inspired Guide to Basic Wine Education
Hello, wine-curious friends! 🍷
If you’ve ever stood in the wine aisle, squinting at labels like they’re written in ancient runes, wondering if you’re about to buy something magical or a very expensive mistake—you’re in the right place.
I’m launching Sommelier Sensei, a lighthearted yet actually-informative guide to buying, tasting, and pairing wine. It’s for anyone who enjoys wine but doesn’t want to spend hours memorizing soil, climate, and aspect types or digging deep on obscure varieties.
What’s This About?
At its core, Sommelier Sensei is a fun, manga-inspired wine guide that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Think of it as your wine-loving friend who gives you practical tips while making you laugh. It features:
✅ A no-BS approach to wine—Forget the exclusivity sometimes associated with wine enjoyment. I’ll help you pick great bottles without making you feel like you need a degree in viticulture.
✅ Comic-style humor—Because let’s be honest, wine talk can get a little too serious. The Sommelier Sensei characters (including the wise but sassy Sensei himself) will keep things fun.
✅ Useful guides for real-life wine situations—How to survive a restaurant wine list, what to grab when your in-laws are coming over, and why expensive doesn’t always mean better.
Who Am I?
I’m not a sommelier. I’m just someone who got obsessed with wine, studied it a lot (WSET 2 with distinction! WSET 3… let’s just say I gave it a valiant effort), and now spend way too much time selecting bottles for my ever-expanding wine fridge. I’ve traveled to vineyards across Africa, North America, and Europe (with a heavy French influence), and I want to make wine approachable for more people—without the pretentiousness. I am also not a sensei — although I was a high school teacher for two years… in Japan… so… maybe?
What’s Next?
I’m publishing the first two chapters here on Vinifera Vines, completely free! You’ll meet Sommelier Sensei himself and get an easy-to-follow intro to wine, whether you’re a total beginner or just looking to brush up.
👉 Check out the first chapter here: Chapter 1. Getting to Know the Characters
If you enjoy it, stick around! There’s much more to come—including a Kickstarter to bring this book to life with professional illustrations (because, let’s be real, my AI-generated panels are doing their best, but they deserve an upgrade).
Pour yourself a glass, hit that subscribe button, and let’s make wine fun together. Cheers! 🍷