You drink really well in Napa, obviously. But the food is a close second. Before I went, I asked a bunch of people where to eat and got some awesome recommendations, so I thought I’d share the things I loved the most so you’ll know where to head if you go. The Thomas: beet gnudi … Continue reading
If I’m getting serious about my wine tasting, I usually don’t like to eat while drinking. But once I’m done with taking notes, I love a good food and wine pairing that brings out different things in the wine. In Napa and Sonoma, we had a few brilliant couplings. Take note for your next party… … Continue reading
The whole week in Napa and Sonoma was awesome, but here were a few moments that were extra awesome. 1 drinking Cab Franc next to the vineyard where it came from We drink a lot of wine. But really it all comes down to one thing: a grape. People talk a lot about how that … Continue reading
Visited lots of wineries last week. One that stood out was Cliff Lede (pronounced “lay-dee”). Had already tasted and loved the wine, but the place is cool too for a bunch of reasons. the double hearts When you walk through the entry room, you enter this great garden with these double hearts by Jim Dine. … Continue reading
Most Sonoma Pinot’s I have at this point are so full of cherry I almost don’t like them. Not the Kutch ones. It’s much more elegant and layered, great acid to balance. When people say it’s a California Pinot done in the Burgundian style, they should use this as a touchstone. Jamie Kutch, the guy … Continue reading
Best wine today? It was out of a barrel. Phillipe Melka, sick sick sick winemaker and my new favorite person, gave me a taste of his still-aging Sauvignon Blanc. I didn’t even have to taste it though – the insane tangerine honeysuckle scent could’ve been more than enough. I told him he should make perfume … Continue reading
A day late but… Le Reve: learn and love. Domaine Carneros makes some amazing sparkling wine, and this one’s the best. It’s a Blanc de Blancs (all Chardonnay) and so elegant and delicious!!! We tasted a bunch of their others – all good as usual, though my new fave is the Blanc de Noirs which … Continue reading
Just had fantastic tour and tasting with Jessica Palmaz. Cool to see the family operations with our family. Amazing gravity-driven facilities in the mountain, cross between Austin Powers and Willy Wonka. Annnnd the wine did not suck…. At all. Also love that they made a non-alcoholic Muscat for the four-year-old nephew! Totally what we would … Continue reading
This is how we kicked off the morning. My dad with his eyes closed, me with a shadow on my teeth, and the awesomest huge bottle of bub at Domaine Carneros. Welcome to grapefriend land… The guys go, “Oh, this is your Michael Strahan picture.” I’ll sacrifice my beauty shot to be compared to a … Continue reading
Poetry. Normally you’d hear a wine name like this and either groan or think it’s cheesy. Not once you drink this one. Cliff Lede’s Poetry is made from the best grapes they have, and we were lucky enough to taste some today. As everyone tasted it around the table, you could see each set of … Continue reading
