Resident Wine Expert

In Pursuit of Excellence
Glynis Hill – Resident Wine Expert

Vino Noire is an expression of Glynis’ passion for wine and her desire to share her experiences with those who have not yet developed an appreciation for fine wine and the lifestyle of wine aficionados. A native of Paterson, New Jersey, Glynis matriculated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and a Master of Science degree from Johns Hopkins University. She is now an Environmental Scientist with a government agency.

You might be surprised to learn that Glynis or Gee as we affectionately call her did not grow up in a household where fine wine was regularly consumed; nor is she a culinary expert. Instead, she is a scientist for whom wine is a marriage made in heaven between her technical background and the artistry of wine and culinary delights. Glynis’ curious nature leads her to commit herself to learning more about wines and how to select them. Over the years, she educated herself by reading, frequenting wine tastings, and asking questions of wine sommeliers and other informed restaurant wine directors/managers. She has travelled to some of the most prolific wine regions of the world, including Napa Valley/Sonoma, California, Oregon, South Africa, Italy, and the Languedoc Region of France

Last fall, Glynis decided to “up her game” and pursue Wine Spirits Education and Trust (WSET) certifications. WSET was founded in the United Kingdom in 1969 The Trust is a registered charity and was created to promote, provide and develop high quality education and training in wines, spirits and other alcoholic liquors for those in the wine and spirit trade or intending to join it.

In early 2012, Glynis completed WSET Level II at the Washington Wine Academy (http://www.washingtonwineacademy.org). The Level II training she received is the Academy’s most popular certification class, the WSET Intermediate class addresses viticulture, winemaking, and the regions of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South America, South Africa, and North America. It also teaches the WSET systematic approach to tasting wines. She passed with Merit!

Never one to rest on her laurels, Glynis ambitiously set out to achieve the advance level of WSET certification of May of 2012. If you have ever heard the adage “Have passport will travel,” then you can apply it to Gee. In May, she took her show on the road to pursue WSET Advanced certification at Vinecole in the South of France (http://www.vinecole.com). WSET Advanced certification provides a vocational qualification to those with some previous knowledge of wine but who need a reasonable professional level to support their vocations. It is also recommended for those people with a serious interest in wine. The course content focused on grape growing and wine making and included tastings and testing of vintages from throughout the world! She passed the blind tasting with Merit!

Glynis is will be continuing her wine education by pursing the Society of Wine Educators Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) certificate, beginning Fall 2014.

The content that you will find here on the Vino Noire site, will reflect Glynis’ desire to share her passion for wine with you and her experiences with other wine and food enthusiasts. Visit often, as there will always be new and exciting content to help you to expand your wine palette and your knowledge of wine regions, vintages, and varietals.