January 10, 2014 (Editor’s Note: A new weekly musing on the world of wine and spirits and how they influence life.) WEST OCEAN CITY – Oh baby, it’s cold outside and time to snuggle up with a movie, a bottle of wine and hopefully your main squeeze. If you have Netflix or an iTunes account, be sure to check out one of my recent independent favorites, Somm, short for sommelier, the man or woman who recommends the most appropriate wines to pair with food at restaurants. This movie follows four guys as they make a final push in the weeks leading up to their master-level sommelier exam, which includes anything and everything there is to be known worldwide about wine, spirits and cigars. It’s so arcane, so minutely detailed and just plain insanely difficult that SARA HAMBURY only 3 percent of candidates pass it. Among the many tasks the Master of Sommelier examination asks of its applicants is to be able to blind taste a glass of wine, know what type of grape or grapes went into it, what country those grapes were grown, what region the wine comes from and the correct vintage. Years ago I had the privilege of traveling with seven other Americans on a tour through Australia, compliments of the Australian Wine Bureau. One of my traveling mates was Shayn Bjornholm, a handsome young sommelier from Seattle. To my surprise, that smarty pants has made his way up the ranks to being a Master Sommelier and is featured in this documentary. In the movie, Somm, we watch the four wine geeks cram for their tests wearing flannel shirts and week-old stubble, celebrate with fist pumps and bear hugs, and describe a particular glass as having “tannins that ripped my face off.” The movie chronicles the immense dedication needed to pass the exam, but has a light side as well. Here, are 10 favorite wine descriptors used in the movie to talk about a wine’s aroma that always make me laugh. Viognier: “Hot dogs”; Riesling: “New pool toy”; Chenin Blanc: “Wet wool”; Russian River Valley Pinot Noir: “Cherry cola”; Rioja Reserva: “Suntan oil”; Bordeaux: “Granny purse”; Syrah: “Bacon fat”; Beaujolais: “Bubble gum”; Sauvignon Blanc: “Cat pee”; and Australian Riesling: “Freshly opened can of tennis balls” No interest in wine or independent filmmaking? See it anyway. Because what this film is really about is what it takes to be great at anything. A great quote from the movie brings it all home, “Wine on its own is not a complicated thing. We’re talking about fermented grape juice. Right?” – Sara Hambury Special To The Dispatch (The writer is the co-owner of the West-O Bottle Shop.) Raise Your Glass! OCEAN CITY – For the average equity investor, 2013 was certainly a year to celebrate. As financial markets and the global economy continue to normalize, we outline some key investor resolutions for 2014. Resolution #1: Pay attention to the economy and the Federal Re-serve. The macroeconomic backdrop has been a critical determinant of asset performance in recent years. We think that will continue to be the case in the year ahead. Resolution #2: Check on corporate America’s earnings. A key feature of this year’s equity market gains has been multiple expansion – an increase in the price/earnings ratio. We are optimistic that improving economic growth should support stronger earnings growth with U.S. and global GDP accelerating in the year ahead. Resolution #3: Temper enthusi- 2014 Financial Resolutions To Consider The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 33 MONEY SENSE asm for equities. Few investors noted, we believe investors should expected stocks to perform as first and foremost invest according to strongly as they did in 2013. At the their goals and regularly measure beginning of the year even the most progress toward them. U.S. equities bullish sell-side strategists have had a great run, with the were only looking for gains of S&P 500 rising more than 150 around 13 percent. But after a percent from the lows of 2009. 30 percent + rally, the S&P 500 As the global economy and index is no longer undervalued asset markets begin to normalbut rather is closer to fair value, ize in 2014, we recommend cliin our opinion. That’s not to say ents consider rebalancing their we are not constructive on U.S. portfolios, if need be, and bring equities. them more in line with their BRIAN Our expectations are more strategic asset allocations. SELZER in line with long-term equity A proper rebalancing plan is returns. At present, BofAML Global one way to reduce the likelihood that Research forecasts the S&P 500 to such deviations from goals-based alfinish 2014 at 2000, or just 9.0 per- locations could become unintended cent higher than its current level, risks. Happy investing in 2014. generating less than half the returns – Brian Selzer for 2013.This brings us to the final Special To The Dispatch resolution. (A Merrill Lynch Wealth ManResolution #4: Invest according to agement Advisor who can be reached goals. As past CIO publications have at 410-213-8520.)