WINE

This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register (February 19, 2016). Last week, hundreds of Italian wineries, importers, buyers and journalists descended upon New York for the Italian Trade Commission’s Vino 2016. As two days of seminars and tastings took place, I was expressly interested in a seminar about grignolino. Grignolino, you ask? That is, once you can pronounce it...gri-gno-li-no. I had first learned about this lovely little grape when I was getting my Italian Wine Specialist Certification with the North American Sommelier Association. An indigenous grape from the Piedmont region in Northern Italy, grignolino became a DOC in 1974 and was historically an important grape. But, as people wanted bigger wines, this light-colored wine lost attention. So the idea of a seminar dedicated entirely to his grape was all the more intriguing. It is rare enough to find one grignolino, let alone to have 11 to taste in one seating. Grignolino Wine Bottles (2) Grignolino Wine Bottles (1) Apparently I was not alone. The seminar was led by Ian D’Agata, Vinitaly International Academy’s scientific director. As he began the seminar, he looked out at the room of only 20 people. There were empty seats in the room but that is not what he saw. The fact that 20 people were interested in this very under-rated wine was what D’Agata saw was a milestone for this little grape. We all laughed.
02 March, 2016
This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register (February 11, 2016) Winemaker Charles Smith looks like a rock star, and in many ways he is one. In less than 15 years, he has made quite a name for himself in wine. He was named “Winemaker of the Year” by Food & Wine magazine in 2009 and “Winemaker of the Year” by Seattle Magazine in 2010. Charles Smith With his head full of long wavy hair, he looks like he should be standing on stage in front of millions of fans. Well, he wasn’t standing in front of millions, but rather approximately 40 people, who eagerly showed up for a “pop-up” event at chef Roy Choi’s Commissary at The Line Hotel in Los Angeles. Charles Smith paired five of his wines with five courses of Mediterranean food prepared by guest chef Zoi Antonitsas of Seattle. This was a rather rare outing as Smith is not a big fan of traditional wine dinners and rather prefers more interactive, casual events. “Creating memorable and fun experiences is one of my favorite things to do, and working with Roy Choi to create the first wine-centric pop-up at Commissary was a no-brainer,” Smith said. “Roy and I take a similar approach when it comes to food and wine — celebrate, enjoy, and make things approachable. This event showcased delicious wine and fun food in a lively, uncomplicated way.”
24 February, 2016

This post originally appeared in Wine Tourist Magazine A weekend in Santa Barbara wine country is great getaway. However, if you are spending time in the...

17 February, 2016

This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register (January 29, 2016) As snow blankets the East Coast, I have been reminiscing about my trip this...

10 February, 2016
This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register (January 22, 2016) Growing up in Napa Valley surrounded by grapevines, Will Phelps did not envision his future working in the family wine business. At an intimate library dinner at the Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes, Phelps, who charmed the audience with his good looks and friendly manner, said, “I was the most rebellious. I wanted nothing to do with this predestined life when I was a child.” Will Phelps Despite his childhood objection, Phelps is carrying on the family tradition as the third generation at the winery. For the past three and a half years, Phelps, grandson of winery founder Joe Phelps and son of winery president Bill Phelps, has been a sales representative for his family’s winery. But he was not handed the position just because he wanted it. Once he decided he wanted to work at the winery, he had to spend his time earning the position.
03 February, 2016
Remember playing spin the bottle as a child and wondering who the bottle would land on? Perhaps it was the person you had a crush on. Perhaps it was not. As grown-ups now, I like the idea of Spin the Bottle Wine Studio in Toluca Lake. You may never know what bottles will be open on the day that you go, but at least you can pick the bottle of wine you want try. Or let them pick the bottle for you! Spin The Bottle Wine Studio Spin The Bottle Wine Studio is owned by Doug LaGambina (partner/investor of Hollywood’s Wood & Vine) with partner Scott Kay (principal at Vine Street Partners and partner at Wood & Vine). It is a wine bar and retail shop that features a cultivated list of imported and domestic small production wines.
29 January, 2016

This post originally appeared in Wine Tourist Magazine Greece is made up of numerous small islands, the most famous of which are Santorini, Crete and Mykonos....

23 January, 2016
This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register (January 15, 2016) Grenache is widely planted around the world. It is the second most widely planted grape in France, making up 60 percent of the acreage in the Rhone Valley and 70 percent of the acreage in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Planted in approximately 500,000 acres worldwide, grenache can be found in Spain, Italy and Australia, as well as in California. But in California, acreage has declined over the last 20 years from approximately 12,000 acres to approximately 6,500 acres today. Despite this reduction in acreage, grenache production and consumption is on the rise, according to a recent seminar with the Rhone Rangers. Grenache on the Rise American wine critic and author of the forthcoming American Rhone Wine Movement, Patrick Comiskey moderated a panel of winemakers from throughout California as a tasting and discussion was underway about the rise of grenache in California. “Despite being grown here more or less continuously for over 150 years, grenache’s range of flavors, its regional expression and its level of profundity are still a long way from being realized,” Comiskey said. “It may have more potential than any other Rhone variety currently grown in the U.S., so it’s time to have a look at the state of the grape.”
20 January, 2016

This post originally appeared in Wine Tourist Magazine Santorini is a popular tourist destination. Thousands upon thousands of people flock to the island every year to...

16 January, 2016
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