Sparkling Wines
CELEBRATE SUMMER WITH MADAME LILY BOLLINGER
Rose is chic and easy when it comes to sunny summer entertaining, but to take it up a notch, add Champagne. After all, the ultra chic Madame Lily Bollinger famously said, “I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with […]
THE FATHER OF PROSECCO
Glass of Bubbly Issue 12 May June 2016 by Catherine Fallis Antonio Carpenè is often referred to as the father of Prosecco, founding Carpenè Malvolti, the first modern winery in the Veneto and the winery that created the style and character that is Prosecco today. He also founded the Istituto Conegliano, now the largest […]
INMAN FAMILY WINES GO NATURAL
Often referred to as “the barometer of Russian River Valley” as she is one of the earliest to harvest her grapes, owner and winemaker Kathleen Inman is quietly making natural wines that feel alive on the palate. This self-proclaimed “grape groper” picks by taste and feel, not by brix, the accumulation of sugar in […]
IF ONLY ADDS MASTER SOMMELIER CATHERINE FALLIS AS LUMINARY
IfOnly, a San Francisco start up founded by Trevor Traina, is a marketplace for incredible experiences. From unique everyday offerings with local experts to once-in-a-lifetime connections with lauded luminaries, IfOnly provides access to a curated selection of extraordinary experiences that benefit worthy causes around the world. Members enjoy amazing experiences that help them do […]
SANTA MARIA’S RIVERBENCH FINDS ITS RHYTHM
Riverbench Wines Sing to Me by Fred Swan People often ask me what kind of wine I like. I taste so many different ones, very good ones, that I can’t narrow answer with a particular variety, region or style. In the end, the wines I gravitate toward and really want to drink are those that […]
MASTER SOMMELIER CATHERINE FALLIS LAUNCHES WINE REVIEW
Prime Women, March 19, 2016 Food & Wine by Tricia Conover The First Women-Led Wine Rating Panel Aims to Take the Guesswork out of Wine Purchasing (KA-thuh-rin FAH-lis) Catherine Fallis, MS, the 5th woman in the world to be named a Master Sommelier, has launched a new women-led wine-rating panel. In a Q&A last […]
ROSE CHAMPAGNE FOR VALENTINE’S DAY
“With Valentine’s Day just a few days away, more and more U.S. consumers are turning their attention to the pink bubbles of Rosé Champagne,” as reported by the Champagne Bureau, USA. “Over the past decade, the shipments of rosé from the Champagne region of France have enjoyed significant growth in the U.S.—just last year 2.8 […]
LES CRAYERES SOMM INVENTS GAME CHANGING CHAMPAGNE GLASS
March/April 2016 Glass of Bubbly Issue 11 by Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis What better place on earth than Relais et Chateau Les Crayeres in Reims, Champagne, to birth the Champagne glass of the 21st century? Chef Sommelier Philippe Jamesse, disappointed with how the traditional Champagne flutes masked much of the distinctive aromas and […]
SALON CHAMPAGNE – EXPENSIVE & ELUSIVE
Last weekend after serving white, red, and sparkling wines along with classic martinis at my friend’s Mad Men-themed cocktail party and the house was mostly back in order, we sat down with leftover catered platters and a bottle of Champagne I had gifted her earlier this year. After I poured it into her Waterford Champagne flute, […]
BREAK OUT THE BUBBLIES
It’s time to break out the bubblies. Here are some of my favorites from $15 to $79 to ring in the new year in style. CALIFORNIA Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley California USA PG 90 $23.99 Elegant, understated and dry with a fine mousse (tiny bubbles) and notes of lemon tea, granny smith apple, asian pear, […]
BETWEEN THE COVERS – MUST HAVE BOOKS ON CHAMPAGNE
A Scent of Champagne, by Richard Juhlin, is by far the greatest reference book on the topic. Juhlin is the world’s foremost Champagne expert and has compiled close to 10,000 tasting notes, 8,000 of which are included in this seventh of his works. (Skyhorse Publishing, Hardcover, 396 pages, 2013, US $75). He is gifted with […]
RING AROUND THE ROSE
Summer goes so quickly. Why not extend the feeling with a little pink fizz to keep the mood sunny? It is highly appropriate for Fall too, as it is one of the richest styles of bubbly and pairs well with meat dishes such as Lamb or Pork. Here are some top picks from our expert […]
PROSECCO THE PLACE
Ca di Rajo Export Manager Luca Ortoncelli and I dined at San Francisco’s Sociale this afternoon. He is in the USA to meet with his importers, journalists, bloggers and friends, like actress Debi Mazar. You see, before he worked in the wine industry, he made films. Hoping to keep his toes in cinema, he has visited Hollywood movie lots […]
CHAMPAGNE & SPARKLING WINE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2015
The wine gurus have crowned Fior d’Arancio Maeli DOCG by Elisa Dilavanzo, the only Italian wine producer honoured with the gold medal in the London event. The opinion leaders of the sector Tom Stevenson, Essi Avellan MW and Dr Tony Jordan have, for the first time, awarded the gold medal to the Yellow Muscat sparkling […]
