By Sasha Smith, New York City Correspondent

Good news – I passed the Unit 3 exam! Friends have asked if I’m excited, but mostly I’m relieved. (Also slightly shocked that I passed the tasting portion.) Now I need to go through the same drill for spirits and sparkling and fortified wines and write four research papers. Piece of cake.

Many thanks to Lenn for giving me the real estate on his blog – and thanks to all of you who wrote in with words of encouragement and support.

Whoever thinks the blogosphere is full of only snark and vitriol has clearly never visited this blog. I hope to meet some of you kind folks in person at the LENNDEVOURS Wine Bar event on October 19. Just don’t expect me to say anything remotely smart about wine, as I think I’ve forgotten it all.