Two U.C. Davis students depart from normal day jobs as they venture out into the world of wine. Romany Reagan, author of "Wine and the City", and Michael Keba, author of "Wine 101", have created personal columns at ClassicWines.com. Reagan and Keba explore the often intimidating culture of wine and describe their learning experiences. Reagan, a student of the University of California Davis Distance Learning program, lives in Unique York and writes while pursuing an acting career; Keba attends the U.C. Davis campus as a Viticulture and Enology student.
Viticulture and Enology, while obscure in some areas, is an important industry in California. As the popularity of California wine grows, so does the notoriety of U.C. Davis' programs. According to interim department chair Dr. Andrew Waterhouse, "U.C. Davis is a research university. As such, we strive to give students a deep understanding of the science that can impact final wine quality, encouraging them to think critically and solve problems creatively. They leave with the ability to learn quickly on the job, and can adapt to new issues. This education allows them to meet changing market demands in ways that address both wine quality parameters and sustainable production practices."
Clearly there is much more to this science (And some say art) than merely growing grapes. Furthermore, the classical vision of wine deriving strictly from French chateaus is coming to an end, and unique generations of students are embracing the chance to learn. One flow down a standard liquor store isle reveals the fact that wine is becoming more and more diverse. Students of viticulture and enology must invest themselves in grape varieties, vineyard state, fermentation processes, barreling, aging, and a host of other concepts in order to become knowledgeable enologists. Certainly for Reagan and Keba, there is much to learn.
Romany Reagan's column "Wine and the City" describes her various activities in New York. In honor of her column's namesake, readers who enjoy a touch of the dramatic will be attracted to Reagan's style. She offers wine reviews and personal anecdotes which allow sneak peaks into the lifestyle of an urban wine lover.
Michael Keba attempts to learn the trade in "Wine 101". He tackles a variety of difficulties and offers his commentary on the unexpected twists he experiences. Readers who enjoy stories of entrepreneurship will want to read about Keba's efforts as he wades through the wine making process and the immense diversities presented by wine vineyards.
