You won't have to be a wine connoisseur to thoroughly enjoy this podcast with one of Indiana's most polarizing, young sommelier's. His colorful commentary on spirits, wine, and travel are enlightening.
Erase whatever picture you have in your mind of what a sommelier looks like. Arthur Black is the opposite, in his tight, black t-shirt, tattooed arms, man-bun, and Buddhist necklace. He is the Corporate Wine and Spirits Sales Manager for RNDC, a leading national wholesaler of fine wine and spirits.
In addition to his role at RNDC, Arthur is a member of the Society of Wine Educators, a Certified Specialist of Wine, a Certified Spanish Wine Educator, a Certified French Wine Educator, a Certified Sake Specialist, Certified Spirits Specialist, Advanced Sommelier, Level 1 Cicerone, Advanced Level III through the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, a wine, beer and spirits writer and has lectured and taught at copious venues and several universities. As an active educator in the American sommelier community, Arthur has competed in many sommelier competitions, winning the honorable Best Young Sommelier in America Championship.
His motto, "The customer is always right." So, if someone wants to sit down with Proseco and pair it with salt & vinegar chips then they should do so. But he is clear on his opinion about one type of person..."cork sniffers are ass holes!"
In 2015, Arthur created and is the current president of the non-profit, the Indiana Craft beverage Association, a promotional body dedicated to engaging both trade and consumers to increase quality beverage appreciation and Indiana beverage industry sustainability. Arthur is also the creator and organizer of Indiana’s first cocktail festival, Mixture – An Indianapolis Cocktail Tour, which experienced a successful first year in the summer of 2015.
Join IndyMixture on September 16-17. It is a two-day Cocktail Tour, featuring live music, food, beer, cocktails, and booze. The fun begins along Georgia Street then travels to Mass Ave, Fletcher Place, and Fountain Square for Indy’s best bartenders to tempt you with samples of their wares.