All posts tagged: Crisp Wine

Grüner Veltliner – The Perfect Food Wine

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A couple of years ago, I sat at a large table.  The Owner and Proprietor of the winery was at the head, his darling wife next to him, a few of my coworkers and our Winemaker filled the rest of the table.  We were engaged in a “blending session,” where we were tasting all of the new vintages of our wines, creating blends of the wines and sampling juice that was for sale on the bulk market to add to our collection. The blending session is always one of my favorite things to do.  It’s the time of year wineries get to be creative and strategic.  Not only do they construct what ultimately goes in the bottle, but they plan out the year ahead.  For the juice they purchase, they build a wish list of wines they would like to have in their portfolio.  Then on the day of the blending session, they get to try them.  It’s like Christmas day for adults! At this particular blending session, one unexpected varietal was poured for us …

Italian Wines, or More Specifically, Gavi

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I had the most wonderful meal at a new Italian restaurant.  Finally!  There is a world-class Italian restaurant in this town.  I was really beginning to think I was going to have to make do with the Olive Garden. By chance, I got to sit down and have a conversation with the Italian-born owner, Dario, prior to my meal there. He was ebullient and engaging.  He asked me my history and was happy to talk to another person who had lived in Los Angeles.  He did his education at UCLA. Then he asked me about my “passion for Italian wines.”  I paused.  I’ve been working in the California wine industry for long enough that I’ve almost ignored the rest of the world.  How unfortunate!  I smiled and explained how laser focused I’ve been in the last few years.  That said, I have always adored Italian wine, especially Prosecco, Dolcetto, and all things Sangiovese. He asked me what I thought of his wine list.  I commented on the Super Tuscan and an Amarone on his list.  …