Dining / Wine
Grape Caper
Exploring one local winemaker’s obsession with local grapes.
Winemaker Ian Brand’s favorite task is to drive down dirt roads and knock on doors whenever he spots rows of unfamiliar grapevines. With permission granted he “pokes around in the soil to see what’s going ...
Into the Woods
Wandering into the storied cork trees takes a wine lover to a surprising place.
As global wine production has surged over the last two decades, there has been much ado about cork: Is it worth the slight risk of taint? Are trees getting cut down? Does the industry support ...
Full Figured
An 11th generation wineglass-maker demonstrates his craft in Carmel.
We’ve all seen the distinctive Riedel trademark in our favorite high-end restaurant, at the fancy tasting room, and, to our dismay, on cousin Julie’s bridal registry. We’ve also heard the hype that these relatively expensive ...
Giving to the Pour
A peek at how Passionfish constructs their one-of-a-kind wine list.
It just doesn’t happen. It would be like going to a San Francisco Giants game and paying 25 cents for a hot dog. Yet that’s Passionfish Restaurant, a big-league dinner house where the wine is ...
Spit Out
The sommelier certification test brutalizes a young wine pro.
Tasting wine has never been less relaxing. Before me stand two mystery wines in two tall wine glasses. One is a red, the other a white. The white displays some melon and papaya nuances. It ...
Toast with the Most
Local wine gurus discuss ideal celebratory varietals.
Is there nothing better than drinking in the varied magnificent sensory stimuli of the holiday season? Brightly colored decorations cut laser-like through clean air freshened by cooler temperatures and rainy days. Aromas of baking cookies ...
