From the monthly archives:

January 2008

Review: Educating Peter, by Lettie Teague

by Marisa D'Vari31 January 2008

Are you curious to learn more about wine but afraid to ask? You are not alone. A few decades ago, many Americans who didn’t know their Burgundy from their Bordeaux felt intimidated by scary, middle-aged, male sommeliers who approached tables…

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Review: Discover Chocolate (and wine)

by Marisa D'Vari31 January 2008

Valentine’s Day is nearly here! Gourmand that you are, you want to impress your sweetie with a spectacular chocolate and wine pairing. Yet the challenge is, you just don’t know your ganache from your gianduja. No worries. Chocolate expert Clay…

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Correcting Sommeliers

by Marisa D'Vari31 January 2008

… Just read this amusing story from San Diego newspaper writer Robert Whitley about a fight he had with both the sommelier and the owner of a restaurant who, in his mind, tried to pass off a 2005 Nicolas Potel…

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Bordeaux to cut Chateau names

by Marisa D'Vari31 January 2008

According to Jane Anson in Bordeaux and Decanter magazine, estates are being told to stop using several different chateau names for the same wine, bottled at the same property. Many producers use a different name for different sales channels such…

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Diageo to buy Rosenblum Cellars

by Marisa D'Vari28 January 2008

So I just read that Diageo will buy wine maker Rosenblum Cellars for 105 million and that it expects the acquisition will boost earnings in the fourth full year of ownership. What a smart move for all concerned. I’ve been…

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Why you should charge more for wine

by Marisa D'Vari14 January 2008

According to the Times of London, people get more pleasure when they pay more for wine! Here is a clip: RESTAURANTS charging inflated prices for wine could be doing their customers a favour. A study has found that people who…

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Review: Wine Aroma Kits

by Marisa D'Vari10 January 2008
Thumbnail image for Review: Wine Aroma Kits

Quick! What is one of the most sensual, aromatic products in the world, right up there with exquisite perfume and exotic flowers? Wine, of course. The ability to describe the aromas and flavors of wine in a way another person…

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Exploring Taste

by Marisa D'Vari7 January 2008

… just read this very interesting article in the Chicago Tribune which quotes many Chicago area wine directors on how they train their staff to help customers develop their palate: “Brian Duncan, wine director of Bin 36 restaurant, tells staff…

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American Sommeliers

by Marisa D'Vari5 January 2008

Slate.com just pubished an interesting article on American vs. European sommeliers. While the author mentions Andrea Immer Robinson and Richard Betts, he also speaks about the increasing multi-cultural background of today’s sommeliers … “And it is not just in the…

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