Somms…Can We Help You? If You Let Us!

I , like any other Sommelier or Restaurant Server get so excited when one of our customers says ” I am so happy you are here. I need your help” We love to be needed and for our expertise to be utilized, only to be disappointed that all the “Help” a customer really wanted […]

Hidden Affordable Gem In The Rhone!

A.O.C. In The Southern Rhone When most wine consumers think of the Southern Rhone of France, they think of Cotes Du Rhone, Chateauneuf Du Pape, Gigondas and Vacqueyras. How often do you think about Rasteau?? The Rasteau appellation covers mostly the commune of Rasteau, but also includes some vineyards in Cairanne and Sablet. 47 hectares […]

Red Wine With Fish? Wine Not?

There are so many Wive’s Tales I hear from consumers and too many to speak about in one 9 minute Vlog. The one I hate the most is the misconception or false belief that White Wine is for Chicken And Fish and Red Wine For Meats. First of all, drink what you like. I […]

An Oregon Pinot From G.C. With No B.S.

An Oregon Wine By An Oregon Guy John Grochau was first introduced to wine and the winemaking landscape in his early 20’s, while racing bicycles for a French team in the Loire Valley. For several years, he raced through some of France’s most revered winemaking regions including Champagne, Burgundy and the across the Loire Valley. […]

Wines For The Year Of The Pig!

Happy Belated Chinese New Year. This year is “The Year Of The Pig”! Besides Chinese food, I think the basis of almost every Asian Cuisine is Pork. Whether Dim Sum, Pho, Thai, Japanese Ramen it all comes down to the Pig. Since there can be so many different preparations, from BBQ Pork Buns, […]

Barolo, Barbaresco On A Budget!

Barolo Is Not A Grape Many wine consumers think that Barolo and Barbaresco and even Gattinara are grapes or types of wine. Wrong! In the northwestern corner of Italy in Piedmont there is a Grape Varietal called “Nebbiolo” and it is used 100% in the Villages named Barolo, Barbaresco and Gattinara. Above is an aerial […]

Don’t Sleep On The Couch V.D.Day!

It’s that time of the year, even though we should be doing this sort of thinking all year round, that if men don’t do something for Valentine’s Day, they could wind up on the couch. I think we can go 2 ways when picking up wine for Valentine’s Day to share with your significant […]

No Somm?? Then BYOB!

Don’t Put Up With Mediocrity m In the past, right after my divorce in 2008, I rented a room from a referral that was given to me by a mutual friend. Carolina was divorced and wanted to rent a room and I really needed a room and a friend. Little did I know she was […]

D.O.C.G. Prosecco Really Is Superiore!!

We know I always say that “Wine is Not For Snobs”. Prosecco is a fun sparkling wine but it is NOT a Grape. It is the region it comes from. The grape varietal’s original name is Glera. In the North Central and Northeastern Region the D.O.C. Prosecco region is located in Treviso and the […]

A Merlot That Tastes Like A Merlot!

Sud De France Sud De France basically is re-imaging of the South Of France mainly in the Languedoc-Roussillon area along the Mediterranean that many people thought of as table wine. Taking part in a race towards global excellence, the winemakers in Languedoc-Roussillon grow sparkling wines, sweet wines, red wines, white wines, and a range of […]