As Oscar Wilde mused about the best means of dealing with temptation (he urged one to yield to it), so wine may also be approached. By surrendering to it… One (good) drop at a time. And preferably, in tandem with Paul Watkin’s full-blown, irreverent and highly insightful guidance that always honours and celebrates, yet demystifies the ancient art form. After all, “There is more philosophy in a bottle of wine than in all books,” as was noted by Louis Pasteur, and Watkin, at once educator and entertainer, veers the wine fan gently away from serious text-digging, instead sharing his knowledge by means of discussion and, of course, by tasting.

Wine educator and industry professional Paul Watkin, brings to each tasting nearly two decades of experience in the wine/hospitality trade. He has served as a fine dining room professional at renowned restaurants and hotels (such as O’Doul’s on Robson Street). He has acted as Beverage Program Manager and Wine List Consultant, as an Assistant Manager (for West Vancouver’s Dundarave Wine Cellar), and Dining Room Manager and Service Instructor at the prestigious Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. He is an active member of the Society of Wine Educators, Cellar Master for the South World Wine Society, an active wine consultant and has written extensively on the subject of wine.

Paul is a talented and passionate instructor and he is excited to be working with the The Wine Umbrella to elevate the level of Wine Knowledge in Western Canada.