Sommelier Jerry Lee: Robert Weil Reisling Spatlese
July 8, 2010 by Derek Swanson
This week’s pick comes from Jerry Lee, wine director and sommelier at The Stonehouse restaurant at the San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, CA. I asked Jerry to recommend a bottle to pair with a first course (smoked duck and avocado spring roll with boursin cheeze and asian coleslaw) and a second course (Arctic Char with [...]
Salmon and Pinot Noir
July 4, 2010 by Dick Rosano
Fish usually calls for white wine, as we’ve heard over the years. But not all fish are alike. The oily fishes (sounds better than “fatty fishes,” doesn’t it?) are best paired with a bigger wine, one with more texture and body. Salmon is a perfect case in point. Whether grilled, baked, or marinated and sautéed, [...]
Sommelier Mario Ortiz: En Route Pinot Noir
July 2, 2010 by Derek Swanson
This week’s pick comes from Mario Ortiz, sommelier and wine director at The Firehouse in Sacramento, California. Since their menu was available online, I chose an entrée and asked Mario to pair a wine with it. My choice was the Lamb Loin Chop with herbs, serrano ham, pecorino polenta, in a minted lamb jus. Mario [...]
Mr. Stox’s Sommelier Ron Marshall: 2008 ZD Pinot Noir
May 27, 2010 by Derek Swanson
This week’s pick was offered by Sommelier Ron Marshall of Mr. Stox Restaurant in Anaheim California, who recommended the 2008 Carneros Pinot Noir from ZD Wines. ”The 2008 vintage marked the 40th Anniversary of ZD Wines, and this wine is the 40th consecutive vintage of Pinot Noir produced. Crafted from a blend of the highly [...]
Artesa’s Craftsman Approach to Winemaking
April 13, 2010 by Angela Logomasini
This past weekend I hosted an Easter feast for my friends here in D.C. and to my delight my guests brought a Pinot Noir from one of my all-time-favorite wineries to enjoy with our pork tenderloin: Artesa Winery (pronounced “ahr TESS uh). It was a perfect match. Like me, they had the delight of visiting [...]
