I’ll be taking my Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) exam on April 27th in Napa, CA. If I pass, I’ll be able to use the post nominal “CSS” as part of my professional title, and will henceforth be introducing myself thusly in professional circles. ”It’s splendid to meet you. Allow myself to introduce…myself. I’m Dai Deh…..MBA……CSS” <note long pauses for dramatic effect>. Think Sean Connery as 007, but cooler.
The CSS exams were only scheduled to be proctored in faraway places like Austin, Providence, Miami, Charlotte, Tokyo, Kansas City and Houston. The closest places to California were Honolulu and Phoenix, but those were in September and November, respectively. But I had a couple of conversations from the folks at The Society of Wine Educators and negotiated to take the CSS exam in Napa, where they’ll be proctoring a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) exam. Persistence pays off!
