Photo Courtesy Brickhouse PR

However, on those rare occasions in which you just happen to stumble upon an amazing food and wine pairing, the results are phenomenal--like an explosion in your mouth.

Fortunately, for you winos, there are people who are here to help you learn to create those perfect pairings with intent--i.e. not with beginner's luck.

Starting tomorrow Virginia Philip Wine & Academy is offering an eight week immersion course for industry professionals and anyone who wants to learn more about wine.

See also:
- Holiday Wine Buying Tips for the Beginner (Via Master Sommelier Virginia Philip)
- Virginia Philip Talks Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival and How to Saber a Bottle of Champagne Without Hurting Yourself

Courtesy of www.3030ocean.com

Let's face it, no one's happy to see Monday roll around. Not only is it the start of another long and grueling work week, but it's also a whole five days away from the next weekend of precious rest and relaxation (or all out partying and binge drinking, if that's what you're in to).

But what if there was something new to look forward to after that long first day back at work? Well, that's where Chef Dean James and 3030 Ocean come in.

All photos by Falyn Freyman

A good pour at Chill Wine Lounge in Fort Lauderdale.

We're not exactly sure who coined the style of décor called "deco glam" or whether it should have ever been paired with the word "chill" (or invented), but we do know that Chill Wine Lounge in Fort Lauderdale has a lot more going for it than aesthetics.

Ultramodern chrome accents, over-the-top neon purple lighting, and floral motifs all give off the air of trying a little too hard, but since opening this past December, this specialty wine and craft beer bar and lounge has earned a reputation for providing a trendy and lively atmosphere along with a menu loaded with unique and moderately priced drink offerings, all conveniently located right next door to the Gateway independent movie theater.

LILA Photo

Virginia Philip knows what's up when it comes to wine.

Clean Plate Charlie isn't above formulating a holiday "wine plan" that consists solely of driving to Naples, pulling up to Trader Joe's, and loading the car with cases of Two Buck Chuck. But in case you want to class it up a bit at your holiday mixers, or when giving vino as a gift, Virginia Philip has a few easy, novice-friendly tips.

As a master sommelier and owner of Virginia Philip Wine Shop & Academy, Philip has made a living of explaining the art of wine consumption to people of all walks of life (and wine tasting experience). Her tips, after the jump.

See Also:
- Virginia Philip Talks Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival and How to Saber a Champagne Bottle Without Hurting Yourself
- Five Holiday Cocktail Recipes to Boost Your Spirit
- Steak 954 Named Wine Spectator's 100 Best Wine Restaurants

LILA Photo

Master sommelier Virginia Philip will wield the saber at the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival grand tasting.

Palm Beach entrepreneur Virginia Philip is an undisputed rockstar in the wine world. It only makes sense that she'd play a part in this weekend's Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival, where she'll lend her skills to three different festival events.

Philip was but the tenth woman in the world to earn the hard-to-come-by title of Master Sommelier. Since then, that number has doubled, but it remains painfully low.

"Ten years ago, it was more of a male dominated world, and you definitely see more women now," Philip said. She said time will tell if those female professionals will be able to "hang in there for the long haul" given that the career's demands and working hours often conflict with raising a family.

See Also:
- New Year's Eve Trick: Saber the Champagne Bottle
- Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival 2012 Starts Friday: What's on the Schedule?
- South Florida's Best Places to Sip Wine