Pairing Wine With My Life's Adventure

he was great

2009-06-26T03:23:00.000-04:00

mj was a great performer and brought me much happiness.

Flickr

2009-06-11T01:46:00.001-04:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Le Bernardin wins for wine service. Wynn was there too...

2009-05-04T19:52:00.008-04:00

Tonight in New York at the James Beard Foundation awards, Aldo Sohm (wine director) accepts the award for Le Bernardin for Best Wine Service. Daniel won for best service, Jean-Georges for best restaurant, and Dan Barber won for best chef. All in New York.

Steve Wynn was spotted at Le Bernardin last week too. Seems like things are looking up here in the East in terms of the economy... it's a win Wynn. For me, I want Vegas to go back to the way it was in the old days... I'm originally from LV and hate to see all the stories of its demise. While Las Vegas is hurting, things are brighter in New York, especially (with me) at LB.

Tasting menu at Dumont tonight in Williamsburg was awesome. Barcade in B-burg is worth it as well, they have a great draft selection (cheap) and fun, old video games like my fav Galaga. Tasting group yesterday was great, but the Malbecs didn't show that well. We had Argentina and Cahors. The new Inoteca is a good late night place for a snack after work. Ask for Kalani and have the calamari salad, the cocktails are only $10.

women in wine

2009-05-02T11:30:00.002-04:00

Here is a link to a new wine radio show my friend Erin is doing from Brooklyn:

http://www.heritageradionetwork.com/programs/10-At-the-Root-of-It

I get the question/comment so many times at work (I work on the floor at Le Bernardin in New York as a sommelier) that people rarely see women as sommeliers. I guess there is a concentration of women working in the field here in NYC, and maybe larger markets like LA, because I know and see many of them. Where are you and do you see many women in wine? One of Erin's programs is an interview with Amy Aiken who is a wine maker in Napa.

Here is another link from Erin and her recent wine trip to Germany:

http://esseconsulting.wordpress.com/wines-of-germany-trip-2009/

By the way, I made contact with Women for WineSense while I lived in Napa, and never got a call back. What do they do and what are they all about.

Bring on the heat

2009-04-02T02:05:00.004-04:00

So why facebook and not myspace? I'm not going to twitter. I liked prime meats in Brooklyn, though this steak is from Rothmann's in midtown. What to do with all the corks?

"plummy with strong thrusting overtones"

2008-12-31T17:36:00.004-05:00

As this year ends I look back and remember I had some of the best things ever, but in the end I have to say this year was not the greatest. I'm happy it's over. You can compare 2008 to a wine that has too much oak, high alcohol and a very short finish with no satisfaction. I feel very good about 2009.

hope for the holiday

2008-11-27T13:24:00.005-05:00

I have so much to be thankful for, so thank you. Thanks to all my family and friends (and doctors who I consider to be my friends). I pray for all of the people who are hungry, cold and lonely. Don't worry about the stupid small stuff, just be nice and let's try to help each other. If we are lucky we will have all of our fingers and toes, and a bottle of wine to share with someone. I'M LUCKY.

Amen!

2008-11-04T23:10:00.000-05:00

Champagne for everyone, even for the red states.

VOTE

2008-11-04T08:41:00.004-05:00

I'm going to vote today. I want change and Obama, and I want champagne. If McCain wins it's bitter wine for all of us, then it's white zin or some trite wine that leaves us with nothing like Palin. God bless the world.

I am feeling better.

2008-11-01T13:12:00.006-04:00

I got a new pin from the WSET (Wine & Spirits Education Trust) for the advance certification course. I selected to do the home study and went in for the test at the end of September. If you keep studying in this direction you can make your way to Master of Wine.

What wine to drink in this economy? Other peoples'.

My wine. This is 2005 Groth Reserve Cabernet. I helped make it and it was just released. I cannot afford it though...

I cut my pinkie off

2008-10-27T21:04:00.008-04:00

Not sure what to pair with that, so I paired a foot surgery with it.

I had surgery last Wednesday and the Wednesday before that, and things are looking good except I'm going to be off the floor at work for six weeks at least. I just finished moving into my new place and I was up on a ladder organizing stuff and the ladder tipped over. That's how my pinkie accident happened, so since I have this time to recover I decided to take care of my foot surgery that was planned for January.

Things are good and I'm bored. This is the busy season at work and I'm missing out.

Someone asked me the lesson learned from this whole thing and I can say the positive thing is that I truly like what I do for a living, the passion is real. All I thought about when I saw my little sausage finger sitting in the palm of my hand is how the heck am I going to open a bottle of wine. Bad thing is is that I'm not tasting any wine right now... maybe it's Gods way of giving me a time out. A mini rehab if you will. TV sucks.

yep that's me

2008-10-24T15:21:00.002-04:00

I'm recovering in my new apartment.

Burgundy

2008-06-04T13:27:00.004-04:00

Ok, so I had to post this picture because the New York Times just printed the same shot in last Wednesday's food and wine section. It's a couple of years old, but I had the same idea... I really need to go back, but travel to France with this freakin' dollar is mad. Plans for travel are on hold, maybe I can go in January. Is it really bad to travel to EU in January? Please give me some feedback. Thanks

Big Bottle

2008-06-04T13:25:00.005-04:00

This is a Salmanazar that holds 9 liters, or 12 bottles of wine. It was a delicious 1989 Pommery to celebrate Aldo's homecoming after his big win in Rome. I just googled Salmanazar and maybe he was one of the three wise men. Let me tell you I think it's wise to travel with a case in one bottle versus 12, don't you? I also looked up bottle sizes and found a nifty way to remember the large formats: My Judy Makes Super Burp Noises. Magnum, Jeroboam, Methuselah, Salmanazar, Balthazar, Nebuchadnezzar.

My friend Judy really does burp loud.

Best in the world!

2008-05-26T08:38:00.007-04:00

Aldo Sohm won in Rome and is the best sommelier in the world! Very excited for him and so curious to hear all the details from the competition that took place this past weekend.

During this all-American Memorial-day weekend I went to the Yankee's game and had a great time, but realized some major flaws with the best (they say) team in baseball (I still love my SF Giants). The Dodger dog, by Farmer John, is the best hot dog in baseball. I know this might be blasphemous with Nathan's and all, but all I could think about while I was having my dog at the game is the memory of my Farmer John in LA. I spent a lot of time hating the Dodgers too, so you know I'm serious. Oakland A's win for the best all-around food concessions, and the Giants win for best wine selection. Coors field has the coldest beer. Wrigley had a great wiener, but the bun fell apart. Yankees didn't even have sauerkraut, maybe somewhere else in the park, but I was in a good seat (with padding) with a server and no sauerkraut was offered.

Now the wine at the house that Ruth built was the worst part of the game. Oh my gosh, YellowTail? For real? Isn't this America? Isn't this an American pastime? Isn't Yankee Stadium the icon for all that? Tell me where YellowTail is from people. Why not serve some wine from say, I don't know, New York!? There is very drinkable wine from New York, as close as the Hamptons. Tocai Friulano from Channing Daughters is a fine example. Sheesh!

I hope with the new ball park going up next door that things are going to change, or Derek Jeter and I are going to have a very personal conversation.

GOOD LUCK ALDO!

2008-05-18T14:50:00.003-04:00

Ok so last night at the restaurant we were a little busy. We had a party of 4 that spent some big money on wine, like in the 5 large range, and then put strawberries in their glasses. They put strawberries in the champagne ($2,400) and in the grand cru white AND gc red! Dang, they could have saved themselves $4,900 for that buzz.

Did I tell you about my recent tale of running away from the cab driver? I was kidnapped but got away. I never knew I could run in heels like that. 40 years old hiding behind a tree. Life is not boring in NY for me now. Just got my clothes back from the laundry and they left it all in the dryer on high... I thought I was gaining weight. Everything has shrunk just in time for the warmer weather. Things just have a way of working out.

I'm working on a couple of new projects, like EatDrinkandBeMaryAnn.com and I'm also trying to put a video together for the Wine Spectator video contest. I know I've been lazy about blogging, so I'm going to work on taking it in a new direction. BTW the blog address has changed to plain old winoinnyc.com, no more blogspot in the url. Thanks to Suzi for her web expertise.

This is a pic of the work crew. Aldo's heading to Rome to compete in a world sommelier competition. Going to Piper's bday party tonight.

spending and the 'r' word

2008-03-03T18:42:00.004-05:00

So spring is very close, as you can see from this shot I took this morning looking out over Columbus Circle from the view at Cafe Gray. Blind tasting today was chenin blanc for whites and Italian reds from the northeast. A refosco was the standout red and an Anjou for the white. I went to Adour last night, Bar Boulud last week, and a few other places... I'm not acting like we are headed for recession.

lush or golddigger?

2008-01-23T11:58:00.000-05:00

I will not be afraid...

"Whatever is it, some convergence of attitude, chemical, alcohol, love, lust, it is working for you,
take full advantage, no false humility, be brave and brazen, outspoken and assured in your work." MCM, my cousin

" ...time fails. Yes, time does not touch some. Time is repelled like a fresh coat of turtle wax... " Desmond Hall, my friend

A calling from God and my liver

2008-01-09T00:06:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year and I know it's been too long since my last post. I've dusted myself off and I'm ready to do it again. I mean all of it. Since my last post in April (sheesh), I went down for a dark period and way back up and can say that I've survived a very tough year. Things are looking good.

I wanted to write about how I landed the job of a lifetime... well maybe that's a bit dramatic, but it's a freaking great job with some great people. I was going to tell you about my new bed and how I finally sold my car. I was going to tell you about all the great wine I tasted (DUH THAT'S WHAT THIS BLOG IS ABOUT) and all the celebs with bad hair that I've waited on... I was going to tell you about my niece Racheal having a baby, so my sis Marcella is a GRANDMA. I was going to tell you about the ASA blind tasting class and the Court of Master Sommelier Certification test I took. I got 2 new pins and now know how much more I need to know. I was going to tell you about my dental work and love life, and how I thought I lost my mojo... fear almost ate me alive. I was going to be really funny and sad. I was going to tell you that buying my new bed was a turning point. I was going to tell you how wine is like music is like art is like people, with layers and complexity, flavor and texture. I was going to tell you about the trip I just took to California to sell off the end of that chapter in my life. Oh well, let's see what happens this year.

I've had some bottle age and I know I'll be better in 2008.

A Burgundy for cereal lovers

2007-04-30T00:29:00.000-04:00

There are some wines that pair well with anything...

In the attempt to make my New York life permanent, I finally made a trip to the DMV to surrender my California driver's license and get a new one. The new picture is so bad I might be forced to move away in a few months. I've not sold my car and sort of decided to keep it for now. If you want to make an offer, however, I'm still open.

This week in booze, I had the chance to meet sake expert John Gauntner and hear him speak about rice, water and the regions in regard to sake production. He's awesome and so is the idea of sake terroir.

I spent 2 days learning about wines from Greece... you bet your Assyrtiko, Agiorgitko and Xinomavro. That's one white grape and two reds.

In the wee hours of the morning I heard a woodpecker outside my window and can see the signs that spring has arrived. I will pursue bird watching when I get older (I'm not older yet). A couple weeks ago I was stuck inside with 3 movies, 2 soups and non-stop rain and lightening.

Please check out my esteemed colleague, sommelier and wine writer Jim Clarke, who I'm excited to be working with more this week.

At the last minute, I got turned onto an angel that helped me get some tax money back. I've been living by the skin of my teeth, and relief should come in a few weeks by mail from the Feds and the State of NY (payback for the picture I guess), so to celebrate I bought a bottle of Hendrick's gin and several ice cube trays. Piper laughed when I referred to this purchase as a "staple."

What does it mean to dream about frogs and donuts?

Champagne. Pleased to meet Olivier Krug as he released his '96 vintage Champagne at my restaurant. So golden in color and the palette matches. Wow. Along with the Dom Perignon Oenotheque 1993, drinking it from a regular wine glass versus a flute brings so much more out of the wine. Please try side by side.

I also met Loire winemaker François Chidaine and his wife Manuela at the Polaner tasting and they accepted an invite to visit my restaurant. Lovely people and lovely wine.

The Mother Hips are coming to play in NYC this week. Love the California Soul. Shout out to Dud Chaney, I love and miss the Chaney clan. I hope your back is better and Jen's belly is healthy and happy. Congrats to Danny and Michelle on the arrival of Charlotte, she's beautiful.

Things are cool in general (with the exception of missing my financial cushion) and I'm fantasizing about stuff I've done instead of things I didn't do (as I have a nightcap and look at old pics). I must remember to brush my teeth; the wine is creating an ugly sediment. I'm well and having fun (as you can see). Mixing it up with a young one and gearing up for wine tests and a career move (TBD).

maybe you wanna buy it?

2007-03-11T23:51:00.000-04:00

While I'm trying to drink more wine from Spain and not pine for my stuff back in storage in California, I've posted my car for sale.

The Spanish red I'm drinking is Caracol Serrano Tinto Joven 2005, Jumilla blend of Monastrell, Cab, Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Rich in fruit, bright and great price from Thirst Wine in Ft. Greene, new-ish store that loves Kermit Lynch imports (Bay-Area people should look up Kermit for the wine connection).

Buy my car.

I'm feeling much better btw and looking forward to St. Patrick's day which is the 1-year anniversary of me leaving Napa (and California as a whole for that matter) onto my Sommelier journey...

sick and lucky

2007-03-06T14:41:00.000-05:00

I'm home home, sick in bed and I just got Borat in the mail from netflix, yay! Thursday night I got to taste Nicolas Joly's Savennieres 'Coulee de Serrant' 2003. Very ripe and exotic with honey and hay. I decanted it for 5 very cool guys. I wish I could have tasted it a few hours later, even the next day. It had nice structure while it was nice and ripe.

2007-02-21T01:31:00.000-05:00

gung hay fat chow and laissez bon ton roulette

damn yankees

2007-02-18T16:49:00.000-05:00

What the heck is happening in this picture?

If there was more time in the day I could tell you about all the great wine I've been drinking and all the cool stuff I've seen. If you could only see what was in my head and my liver. My sister came to visit, and so did Suzi from Fresno (she's more from the old days rather than Fresno). It's been cold. I can't speak clearly any more. I used to have balls, but I'm not sure where they went. Is it this cold weather? Thank goodness Lucinda has released a new record because she helps me realize my inner Lucinda... and Mary Ann. Taking a wine class right now and when it's my turn to speak I can't. Had a b-day since you heard from me last. I was locked out of my leaning tower of Brooklyn that day. I'm almost totally nocturnal. I just downloaded the endless highway: music of the Band, tribute album. Not sure I like deathcab for cutie... miss you guys though.

my first time

2007-01-18T15:24:00.001-05:00

it's snowing!