Michele Thomas is a writer, sommelier and the manager and buyer at a neighborhood wine shop in Brooklyn. RT and Michele are old friends from RT's wine rep days. They get together to dish about the purpose of tasting notes, the art of wine writing, and how to welcome new drinkers into the world of wine. Also: pairing Italian wine with jerk chicken, wine as a second or third act career, Cynar and tonic with a lime as the perfect "shift drink" after a day of retail hospitality. In a special segment, Michele reads an excerpt of her creative memoir essay, "Under Construction," bringing together her memories of growing up in East New York and working at the International Culinary Center. Hear Michele read the whole essay in a subscriber-only bonus episode, coming soon to www.patreon.com/mododibere.Recording this episode together helped RT and Michele remember how much they love talking about drinks and language. RT has since launched Modo di Bere Magazine with Michele as the editor! Modo di Bere Magazine is also the home of Michele's new monthly column, Bed Stuy Somm. The magazine is currently published as a newsletter. Visit  www.mododibere.com and sign up to get excellent wine and language writing curated by RT and Michele in your inbox every week.Follow Michele on Instagram @bedstuysommRead her piece in the New Yorker: The Christmas WreathWinemakers mentioned in the episode:Frecciarossa PunsetAndre Mack B Stuyvesant ChampagnePierre RichardWatch this episode on YouTube @mododiberepodcast  If you love this show and want it to continue, support Modo di Bere on Patreon.  www.patreon.com/MododiBere Modo di Bere is an educational media project by Rose Thomas Bannister. In addition to this podcast, Rose Thomas also makes: A travel show! Watch + Subscribe to Modo di Bere TV  youtube.com/@mododibereA newsletter! Grab Modo di Bere Magazine at www.mododibere.comMany friends! Meet them when you follow @mododibere on Instagram and TikTokMusic composed by Ersilia Prosperi for the band Ou: www.oumusic.bandcamp.comBuy their latest album at https://folderol.it/ou/ This episode was produced and recorded by Rose Thomas BannisterEdited by Giulia Àlvarez-KatzAudio assistance by  Steve Silverstein Ascolta il podcast in Italiano / Listen to the podcast in Italian Cerca  Modo di Bere Italiano