Every time I venture into Oregon Wine Country, I always get lost. Regardless if I’m going somewhere I’ve been before (rare) or headed to a destination unknown (likely), I somehow lose my way, passing my planned turns, embarking down random dirt paths, discombobulated over north or south, east or west. The butterflies usually begin a few minutes before my departure, and they cease to rest, particularly if I’m required to arrive in a timely manner, until I am present and accounted for.
I can’t tell you what it is. I become …

During a fantastic luncheon at Portland’s Park Kitchen in September, I had a chance to check out the new Cellar Key technology making its way to your nearest wine bottle – and was very impressed.
Cellar Key offers the opportunity to expand your wine experience. With its 2D Quick Response (QR) barcode technology, you can learn about the wine you’re buying, right there in the store or restaurant. Just by snapping a picture with your smartphone, you can access information on the vineyard where the wine was produced, including vintage notes, …

From exclusive wines to faux furs, ice bars to headless Russian leaders, Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay offers a host of memorable destinations for discerning imbibers. On a recent visit, I spent an evening at the gorgeous Las Vegas south strip location, enjoying food, drink, and fabulous friends.
We started with wine and dinner at Charlie Palmer’s Aureole. The West Coast sister of Palmer’s lush New York restaurant is great for parties large or small and offers a gorgeous custom glass wine cellar, with harness-clad attendants lovingly dubbed ‘Wine Angels’. Sommelier William …

According to a recent report from food service research firm Technomic, alcohol sales are taking a hit during this economic recovery period. The firm reports that sales of beer, wine and liquor have all declined over the last quarter, with an estimation that alcohol sales will end the year down 4.9%. The firm projects that total industry alcohol sales will fall another 2.5% in the coming year.
In an effort to combat and adjust as sales decline, some restaurants and bars are developing additional …

Tickets for the Annual Family Winemakers of California Tasting are now on sale! In it’s 19th year, the San Francisco wine tasting event takes place at the Fort Mason Center this August 23/24. Featuring close to 400 local vineyards and wineries, the event offers guests the opportunity to taste classic California wines, as well as new, smaller vineyards in the area. Many of the attending wineries are high-end, small production wineries from a variety of regions around California, including Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Mendocino, and the Sierra Foothills, with nearly …

Congrats to HALL Wines for becoming California’s first Gold LEED® certified winery! The Napa Valley St. Helena vineyard and winery is the first wine facility in the state to receive a Gold certification rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.
“The certification of HALL Wines not only marks a momentous occasion for the wine industry of California, but demonstrates how all industries can choose to be solvers of our collective environmental challenges,” said …

Is the coffee business tanking? Whispers began earlier this month that Starbucks would be testing out ‘European-style’ coffeehouses on this side of the pond in an effort to combat their falling profits. Confirmed by USA Today late last week, the Northwest company will open a new test location in the Seattle area offering coffee, tea, and alcohol. The “15th Ave. Coffee and Tea inspired by Starbucks,” set to open next week, will include a small beer and wine selection ranging from $4-$7 for interested customers.
“We’ll be equally as proud of …

As I noted a few weeks back over at Accidental Hedonist, the discussion of ethics continues amongst food bloggers, food reviewers, and food writers everywhere.
Yesterday’s Washington Post featured an article on ethics regarding well-known wine critic, Robert M. Parker Jr. Parker, a leader in wine reviewing, has come under fire over activities by one of his reviewers, Jay Miller. As noted by the Post, Miller enjoyed a trip to Australia last fall that was well-funded by Wine Australia, presumably in efforts to gain positive reviews for the company’s products. It …

Posted by R.K. Gella
To characterize the mood as sober would be slightly inappropriate, yet the peculiar listlessness during the second leg of the Terroirs et Signatures de Bourgogne trade tasting seemed only partially due to the late April showers and the evident jet lag that plagued several of the winemakers.
The new year hasn’t afforded much optimism for the wine industry – aligning in trend with other luxury markets, art, retail and real estate – while predicting a longer timeline for rectification. Late last month importers and investors where in …

Posted by Jennifer Heigl
Local Oregon winery Chateau St. Michelle announced the release of their digital sommelier software this week. The programs, designed for wine connoisseurs at every level from novice to expert, offer suggestions for wine and food pairings as well as a database feature that allows users to keep track of their wine cellar stock. The program is also accessible via your mobile phone.
‘Chateau Ste. Michelle has been extremely committed to enhancing our customers’ enjoyment and discovery of wine through our extensive touring and tasting program here at our …

Posted by R.K. Gella
It was in December when Chef Seamus Mullen and Sommelier Roger Kugler (of Suba Restaurant and Boqueria) edged out the adroit competition (wd-50 and Michy’s were among the top seeds) at the Copa Jerez food pairing semi-finals.  Last week the duo was in Jerez, Spain, representing the US in this international competition that featured talents from Belgium, Germany, Spain and England.
But unlike the ubiquitous food and wine pairing competitions, the secret ingredient at this gala was Vino de Jerez, otherwise known as sherry, the under prescribed and …

Inauguration seems to be the word on everyone’s lips this week. With Obama’s inauguration coming up on Tuesday, foodies across the land are offering their thoughts on presidential food and wine.
Bill Daley of the Chicago Tribune chimes in with wine suggestions for the president-elect. Noting the increase in sales of a South African sparkling wine after the Obamas reportedly imbibed on election night, it seems the public is very interested in possible White House selections. Here here for the support of sustainably produced wines!
The Los Angeles Times had a great …

Posted by R.K. Gella
Say Champagne, think celebration.  The two have become quite synonymous since Dom Perignon accidentally stumbled upon the recipe in the Abbey cellars during the 17th century (and to think the French monk initially sought to rid his wine of effervescence in which he considered a flaw.)
Four centuries later the world still prizes the tickle of bubbly.  And as the anticipation for grandest party of the year peaks, the revelers stock up on the tipple of choice for the occasion… sparkling wine.
Wait.  Sparkling wine?  Don’t you mean…
The reason …

Posted by R.K. Gella
Wading in fantastic burgundy tinted spas under colossal bottles of Beaujolais, the celebration was in style of which only Japanese wine buffs could pull off, as they inaugurated the coming of Beaujolais Nouveau.
A young and vibrant wine, it’s France’s early gift to the world and the first wine released from this year’s harvest.
While the rest of the world plays catch up with Japan – who had the advantage of beginning the new day – it wouldn’t be curious to find wine drinkers purple toothed by lunchtime.
In their …

Posted by R.K. Gella
An uncommonly warm Friday afternoon only piqued temptation as the thirsty filed into an imbiber’s paradise on Pier 54 where the NYC Wine and Food Festival’s Beverage Media Trade Tasting was taking place.  The salsa tunes and warm weather only bolstered the flavors of the first tent, headed by Food Network star and celebrity chef Wilo Benet, whose succulent lechon sandwiches were quickly catching praise.  A sandwich and three rum punches later, one was prepped to enter the main tent that sprawled the entire pier and contained …