THE Breakfast of Champions

n Fernet Branca once saved my life and rescued me from certain humiliation. Yes, it’s true. Many years ago I was about to stand in as best man at a close friend’s wedding. With less than twenty minutes before the ceremony I was totally incapacitated by the worst...

Pairing of the Day, Wine Advice 101, and More …

n What kind of wine goes with roasted crickets?Dinner Saturday night after the MS Board meeting in LA was at a fantastic Oaxacan restaurant called Guelaguetza (guelaguetzarestaurante.com).  The food was outstanding–simply delicious. Someone at the table went for...

Wine Advice 101

n One of the classes I teach throughout the course of the year is given at the Rudd Center at the CIA in St. Helena (the other CIA, that is). It’s called “Mastering Wine II.” The class is a continuation of, you guessed it, Mastering Wine I which was designed and...

Le Ballet Tragique du Vin

n Walt Disney Productions “When the wagon of love breaks down under the baggage of life.”Wine service is not rocket science. It’s definitely not neuro-surgery. In fact, the process of opening a bottle, be it still or sparkling, is really straightforward. There’s only...