When I mention visiting New Orleans to people, many respond that they haven’t been back since Hurricane Katrina. Well, it’s been ten years and the city is back – and probably surpassing its earlier vibrancy. The city still has a trashy, sticky all-night party street called Bourbon (yuck!) but unless you are heading to the…
Business and pleasure are set to collide this summer as a British based destination management company launches its bespoke vineyard networking tours. Held in the world famous wine producing regions of France and Italy, the innovative concept from French Art de Vivre is a revolution for the tourism industry. Manaf Marouane, CEO at French Art…
A film by David Kennard 82 minutes, documentary, color, 2014. In English & French w/ English subtitles (optional English SDH). From the start – a hot air balloon ride to celebrate a winemaker’s birthday – you see people smiling while working together to get a balloon upright and ready for a journey. This film, encapsulating…
Floriane Eznack, the poised young (30ish) female cellar master and head winemaker at Champagne Jacquart since 2011– not many women have made this jump in Champagne or much of the whole of France – met our group of #LAWineWriters in the beautiful outdoor setting of the Luxe Hotel’s “On Sunset Restaurant” in Brentwood a couple…
A YEAR IN CHAMPAGNE A film by David Kennard82 minutes, documentary, color, 2014 In English & French w/ English subtitles (optional English SDH)DVD Extras: Four Shorts (Harvest; Vineyard Cabin; Blending at Gosset; Opening a Bottle) • The Champagne Bureau’s “From Terroir to Wine” • About the Winemakers • About the FilmmakersThe exploding cork. Endless tiny…
I just had a very nice tasting with a female vintner new to me – and I bet new to most for making wine here and in Bordeaux? Really? Read on as all will be revealed after the tasting. Tasting RareCat 2014 Grenache Rose “Brigitte”, California (East Napa Valley, sourced near Davis) $24 With a…
I met Count Audoin de Dampierre at a small tasting that Guy LeLarge held at The Oaks Grille in TPC Valencia a few years back. I was quite taken with the man and the Champagne. I’ve since enjoyed his Champagne, in fact it’s my favorite, at Valencia Wine Company’s annual Holiday Tasting, at Valencia Wine…
Famed bartender Salvatore Calabrese continues to make liquid history as he created the world’s oldest martini at his Las Vegas bar, Bound by Salvatore at The Cromwell LAS VEGAS – Renowned bartender Salvatore Calabrese has served royalty and celebrities, crafted iconic cocktails and has created the world’s most expensive cocktail, and now he’s made liquid…
In looking at new ways to help wine 101ers learn about wine I remembered that in the weeks I was studying for my WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) test I asked the other students to my home for some group study meetings. During one of those sessions one woman had found a really cool…
Belated condolences to the Dusi family on the passing of Dante Dusi late last year. A Paso Robles pioneer, his legacy to the wine world is being carried on by granddaughter Janell with her J Dusi Wines. Morgan Twain-Peterson of Bedrock Wine Company recently posted on Facebook that the Historic Vineyard Society will be releasing…