How my journey began.
Like most great stories, it started with a glass of wine.
My name is Akeyla Porcher and I am a Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 certified with merit wine professional, also known as a wine nerd!
My wine journey started a few years ago in 2015. While at an ODU professional work event, I decided to utilize the open bar. There was wine available, but I didn’t care for it at the time. I never understood how to read the bottles or which wines were sweet versus bitter. It was so daunting to try and figure it out, so I ordered a tequila sunrise. I was the only person drinking tequila at this professional event, eek. I started drinking and studying wine that day.
I ordered wine flights every opportunity I had and would chat with bartenders and sommeliers about wine every chance I got, and my palate began to become more and more fine tuned. I loved every minute learning about wine, but only thought about working in wine for fun. But then COVID happened, I went a little stir crazy and got a second job at a wine bar in 2020 (Crazy, I know!). It was the best decision ever.
Recently, I began to speak to my family about wine and my passion for it and I learned that my great-great grandparents, who were sharecroppers in southern Virginia, grew their own grapes on their land. I then learned that they made the communion wine for their church congregation. Wine runs in my blood! I am simply exactly where I am meant to be, which is sharing wine with you.
Cheers friends!
Core Values of Picky Wine Palate
1.
The best wine is the one you enjoy drinking. No one knows your palate better than you! So drink what you like! This is a judgment free zone.
2.
Wine was meant to be shared with others around a table filled with good food, good conversation and amazing people.
3.
Everyone is welcomed. No matter how little or how much you know about wine. There is always more to learn.
4.
Life is too short, drink wine. Try lots of wine, and don’t limit yourself to one type. Try something new whenever you can.
Why only “wine down Wednesday”? Let’s start asking, “Wine not everyday?”
Let’s talk.
Got questions? Want to plan something special? Let’s chat for free about your ideas for a private group event. There is no pressure or obligation to book after we chat.