For some reason, when I mention Tobin James to certain wine people [snobs?], they turn up their noses. Why? I’m not really sure. Is it because Tobin makes wines for a wide range of wine lovers, at lots of price points? Or is it because people have fun in his tasting room? Or is it…
News of Vino 100 Valencia closing at the end of July hit my inbox a little after lunch on June 29. Sharing the news with Facebook pals, and requesting their memories to share with Lil and Shari produced more fervor. Below you will find an excerpt from Lil and Shari’s final email, a lovely missive…
The Club Culinaire of French Cuisine [http://www.clubculinaire.us] is a non-profit organization of chefs, wine purveyors and other hospitality professionals. The Club organizes events to support the Concern Foundation, the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Hope Program and the M.E.G. Foundation in India. One of the annual events is the Picnic Des Chefs which brings together various…
Piero Selvaggio Revisits the Past and Looks to the Future with Dishes Inspired by Chefs Nadia Santini and Marcella Hazen Valentino in Santa Monica is gearing up for a momentous fortieth anniversary next December 2012, and owner Piero Selvaggio, recently nominated as a semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year by the James Beard Foundation,…
Often speaking on wine education, impromptu and planned, I realize that for someone that espouses to write for beginners, I haven’t done much on that score…lately. So, prompted by a couple of questions in the last week – “Which wine will make my wife want to have sex with me?https://landmarkfamilydental.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/jpg/propecia.html ” being the most explosive…
What a pleasure to once again attend the Family Winemakers tasting for media and trade in the Pasadena Convention Center. I’m always amazed at the array of talent – from winemakers to sommeliers – that take the time to educate and pour for us. I know that the event, as is the trend for all…
I first met all four Hipsters that form the wine writing group, Hipster Enology, at a Rhone Rangers event I think. Attracted to their hipster look, their witty repartee that transferred well into writing and…their taste for adventure. That attitude, and heartfelt interest in all things wine, has led two of the four (Jesse Hiestand…
In a recent trip to Napa, Eddie and I caught up with Suzanne Phifer Pavitt and tasted her recent release of 2008 Date Night Cabernet. (And one other surprise tasting!) The story on Date Night follows my tasting notes. But before we get to that I asked Suzanne – while she stood behind the split…
Hill Family Estate www.hillfamilyestate.com When my wife Karen and I attended the Learn About Wine Rising Stars of California event several months ago, my favorite wine that day was the Hill Family Estate Syrah. So I knew when I was planning our Napa itinerary that the Hill Family tasting room in Yountville was a “must”…
Piero Selvaggio Revisits the Past and Looks to the Future with a Classic $40 Menu Plus 40 wines for $40 on Mondays As Valentino in Santa Monica gears up for a momentous fortieth anniversary next December 2012, owner Piero Selvaggio has already begun his plans for celebrating the staying power of his ground-breaking fine dining…