WineMentor

Wine & Spirits Sales Training must get better! This Thursday, Dec 11, I’ll share a practical framework that goes beyond certification titles and shows reps how to apply knowledge to find opportunity, overcome objections, justify cost, define quality, and clarify style. Sales training needs to be modular and adaptable for distributor, retail, and restaurant sales.

New Sales Playbook for Distributors and Brand Reps in 2026 - USA Wine Ratings The wine market is shifting faster than most commercial teams can keep up with. Distributor and brand reps now face a landscape defined by tighter margins, fragmented buyers, changing consumption behavior, and retailers who expect sharper, data-driven conversations.

This insightful conversation explored how hospitality and education form the cornerstone of successful sales strategies. 's deep curiosity led to great questions that reflected my own passion for the subject. **dShowbySidPatel Beverage Trade Network

Hospitality & Education Matthew Citriglia's Formula for Sales Success In this episode of the Wine Whiskey W**d Show, Sid Patel speaks with Matthew Citriglia, Director of Education at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, to discuss...

I had a nice conversation with from Beverage Trade Network about the evolving role of wine and spirits education in hospitality. We touched on a variety of topics via the lens of education and hospitality. Please enjoy!

Southern Glazer's Wine Education: Insights from Matthew Citriglia Explore the evolving role of wine education service and hospitality with insights from industry expert Matthew Citriglia at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

The latest NA/LA alcohol has been interesting to follow. Instead of being imposed, it is a lifestyle choice. As long as it remains a choice, this category should grow significantly. Many thanks to the The Tasting Panel Magazine for publishing the piece and hope it provides some valuable insight.

Gambero Rosso International This article is ill-informed, elitist, and belittling those who enjoy flutes. I don’t care how a person drinks their sparkling wine; a beer stein (Steven G. Poe) or solo cup is fine with me.

How about some useful information to help consumers choose what is best for their taste? Very simply, the flutes narrow aperture intensifies the bubbles at the nose, which can be too much for some consumers. HOWEVER, the narrow aperture means less liquid touches the lips, so there is greater explosion of bubbles in the midpalate. This provides greater mouthfeel and extends the finish. Flutes are best for textural drinkers.

The wider aperture of a white wine glass reduces the intensity of the bubbles to the nose, but also allow more wine to touch the lips. This causes a greater explosion of bubbles up front, which provide more up-front aromatics but leaves the midpalate flatter and finish less intense. White glasses are best for aromatic drinkers and to reduce bubble intensity.

Are some flutes too narrow – yes! And some white wine glasses are too wide! This uninformed opinion is destructive to hospitality and demonstrates a very closed mind to individual personal taste

Enough with the flute! Let's free ourselves from this useless and damaging glass. Let's go back to the goblet The flute has the rare gift of standardizing all wines. Let's make a great gift for 2024, ban them from places of consumption, and return to the goblet!

I spent over a year cooperating with the Court of Master Sommeliers BOD and the independent investigative process to clear my name of sexual harassment charges. They concluded that the “allegations were not substantiated,” yet to this day CMS refuses to correct the public record and I am still being cancelled. At the moment, my only recourse to correct the record get the truth out is via substack. Please read and share: https://matthewcitriglia.substack.com

Social media has degenerated into a mob of schoolyard bullies. What little good that exists is drowned out by a toxic cesspool of hate and intolerance specifically designed to divide, trigger, and addict. Real life and meaningful social interactions are in jeopardy. Intent behind words are being stripped away and twisted to frame illogical arguments that libel and defame good people and good organizations. History will show SM as the root cause of societal regression giving rise to the mob-rules, tribal-collectivism and intolerance plaguing society. Hopefully SM will find a way to humanize the platform that foster compassion and love for those who disagree. Until then, I will sign off with one last post of yoga’s 5 yamas. Maybe it will inspire a few to breath and leave some positive energy. Ahimsa – Compassion and Love for the person you disagree with.

1st attempt at curry! Better than expected and even better with the ‘03 Weil Grafenberg Spat! Curry and Riesling is clichè for a reason!

The wine world loses an icon. Probably the most humble and unassuming gentleman I have ever met. He was the embodiment of hospitality and will be missed by many. Rest in Peace Gerard Basset Obe Gerard Basset OBE

The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas expresses its deepest sympathy after hearing of the passing of Court of Master Sommeliers, EU former President, Gerard Basset MS, MW, OBE. His professionalism, humility, and dedication to this industry will surely be missed.