A wine vocabulary helps you communicate aspects that you enjoy in wine and maybe some you don’t. Most modern winespeak is easy, such as the term ‘rich’, meaning a wine that’s rich in flavor and ...
Way last century, the hip sommelier closed their out-going voicemail with “Leave your message at the tone. And in case of emergency, serve dry Rosè.” Back then, Rosè meant White Zinfandel, sugary ...
The wacky things people do to make wine never cease to amaze me. We pour herbs into it (for Vermouth). We bake it (Madeira). We encourage mold to grow on the grapes (Sauternes) and on the wine ...
Guests know they’re in for a good time when they arrive to The Chopping Block for a wine class and see an array of glasses – whites, reds, flutes, sometimes even copitas and coupes – glittering and ...
I never knew I liked rice. Then I discovered authentic Indian cuisine with its basmati and jasmine rice, quite a contrast to the glop served up in 1950’s America when I was raised. Next, I discovered ...
People ask me all the time: What can I do with a wine that’s going bad? And I say, Freeze it. Or: The wine my family prefers is too dry, and I say, Add fruit juice to yours. When warm wine is served ...
My birthday was last month, which means I got a lot of Facebook notifications from people I rarely speak to wishing me a “Happy Birthday.” Some of them went so far as to say, “Happy Birthday, ...
Wine pro’s were caught short by American’s Rose rage but regarding the recent popularity of red blends, sommeliers and merchants are saying, “What took you so long?” Not long ago, as a retailer, I ...
Thanks to The Chopping Block's guests and team members for welcoming me as one of your new Sommeliers! Folks ask me all the time, “What does a Sommelier do: sit around and taste delicious wine all ...
