TAKE 5:Jean Wandimi

Jean Wandimi is a wine enthusiast and a food, wine, drink and travel writer. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • I love wine, and taking some formal training like they give at the WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) is something that I am looking to do sometime. 
  • I have been trying out different wines that I have not tried out before. There are so many wines coming into the market, and if I don’t like a bottle, I simply know that it is a learning curve and tasting and trying is part of the job.
  • The blog has opened doors for me in terms of creating content. I love telling stories through writing and I have just started making videos too. I love how this industry keeps evolving over time and challenges one to create more.

Jean Wandimi is a wine enthusiast and a food, wine, drink and travel writer, (check out www.thewineandfoodreview.com) She is also a columnist with Drum Magazine East Africa and the African Correspondent at Wine Tourist Magazine International.

She creates content (videos and articles) that teach people about food and wine, alongside running her YouTube channel. She is also a digital marketing consultant and co-founder of a digital agency called attisfire.com.  

1. Would you consider undergoing the sommelier training?

Yes, I would. I have taken some short courses but I am looking at taking something more substantial. I love wine, and taking some formal training like they give at the WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) is something that I am looking to do sometime. 

2. Many people know you for your wine writing, but you also write about food and travel. What are some of your favourite destinations?

I loved Stellenbosch, (South Africa) so much because it is the epicentre of wine production and the wine, food, weather and people are great. I often reminisce about waking up in vineyards and sipping wine while looking at the picturesque views. I would love to visit so many African countries.

3. And of course, the question all wine enthusiasts are asked: how can you tell what a good wine is?

A good wine is one that has balance of flavours. It is easy to think that a good wine is that which appeals to the senses, but if this were true, every sweet wine would be good wine. When a wine is balanced, none of the qualities, such as flavour, acidity or tannicity overshadow the others. My take is that if the wine has a longer finish (the longer the wine lingers on the tongue), the better it is. However, it all boils down to personal preference when choosing which wine to buy. 

4. Do you find it hard to go into a restaurant and not immediately start rating everything? Do you ever call out managers?

Yes, sometimes I have, but I have been trying out different wines that I have not tried out before. There are so many wines coming into the market, and if I don’t like a bottle, I simply know that it is a learning curve and tasting and trying is part of the job. The only reason I would call someone out is if they served me corked wine.

Thankfully, that has never happened. 

5. What is your plan for your blog, and for yourself, in the next five years?

The blog has opened doors for me in terms of creating content. I love telling stories through writing and I have just started making videos too. I love how this industry keeps evolving over time and challenges one to create more. I just hope that the blog will continue growing to something epic. My dream is to live life on my terms, have amazing experiences and to be happy (as vague and unspecific as that may sound). I also have a digital marketing agency that is growing daily, so I am happy about that too. 

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Hotspot: CosCom Workshop

What is cosplay, you ask? A portmanteau for the words costume and play, which is what happens in this form of performance art where a participant dons a costume to pay homage to, or express themselves as a specific character.

Movie Jabber, which you know as a cinema and pop culture entertainment mass media company, is organising its next big event: a Cosplay Community Workshop at Michael Joseph Centre on February 4, (tomorrow) which is going to be a forum for cosplayers, by cosplayers, to share various skills in all things cos – prop-making, crafting, photography, the whole shebang. And if you have ever thought of picking up cosplay as a hobby, this is your chance to do it – really talk to the people who already are doing it to start your journey. Come and become (which is the hashtag) your favourite character from our universe, and those beyond ours, by registering on their Facebook page. And guess what? They’re having a special guest livestream during the event – Panterona Cosplay, the London Film and Comic Con Cosplay Championships Winner (2015).

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Blog of the week: Mark Majesty

The first thing that you’ll notice after reading a few posts is that he is Christian. And that he is hilarious. This blog covers everything that comes off the top of the author’s mind – from being on Tinder, to writer’s block (as you can imagine, there was nothing in that post) to fatherhood to wild fire (can’t wait for the next season!). Go check this out if you want a thoughtful laugh.

Dear future wife,

This isn’t one of those romantic letters people write. Me I (when we meet, my grammar will improve) just hope that you are insanely hot on the outside (but not in a feverish kind of way) and beautiful on the inside.

I hope that the Lord has granted you wisdom because you will need that to deal with my stubborn self.

I also hope that you go to church because sometimes I don’t feel like going and I will need someone to nudge me (the wisdom thing will apply here).