atLarge Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Hills (Lake County), Beckstoffer Amber Knolls Vineyard, 2022
I came to wine by drinking Califronia cabernet sauvignon in 1999. It was paired with brisket, ribs, pulled pork , and barbecued chicken. I was hooked. I had never tasted anything like that pairing. The majority of my family doesn’t drink, so going from margaritas to wine was an instant love. (I still love a good margarita and an ice cold martiini).
But it’s been a long time since I actually tasted a Cabernet Sauvignon from California that moved me.
My Champagne Starter List
Last month on Threads, I made a post on how great champagne is and there are so many that are delicious and don’t have a yellow label. I didn’t expect it to go viral.
The beauty of champagne is in how many great champagnes exist at phenomenal price points. I always say, marketing is everything and I can’t compete with a polo match convincing people of the same. In that vain, I started a champagne starter list for that reason. Not a list of champagnes over $200 although these producers make them, but a list to start a journey. It’s not a list of grower champagnes or high end champagnes like Krug, Dom Perignon, Selosse, or Salon. Yes, there is a place, but this list is for those who want to try champagne without breaking the bank.
Cheers to drinking better. The list is in alphabetical order and not in order of my personal preference.
Wine is Here to Stay, for Me
From Métier, January 2025
Over the past few weeks I have been bombarded with texts, emails, DMs, and phone calls regarding the news about wine being bad for your health. I’m not here to be your doctor or your conscience. Over the past few years I have read the health reports, researched who financially backed a lot of these groups for anti-alcohol (it’s a lot), read the majority of the anit-alcohol literature, talked with colleagues, and doctors regarding wine, its future, and the career of thousands who work in my industry. I came to wine for the wine, but I’m really in this industry for the people.