The Divisadero corridor, a pulsing San Francisco neighborhood north of the Panhandle is for those in-the-know a culinary and entertainment hot spot anchored by the eponymously named Nopa, one of the best-loved and most-consistently creative dining spots in the city. Heading up Nopa’s precision-crafted and highly-expressive wine program is Chris Deegan. I recently spoke with him about his […]
Nopa – Decidedly Diviz!
July 27, 2012 by 2 Comments
The Divisadero corridor, a pulsing San Francisco neighborhood north of the Panhandle is for those in-the-know a culinary and entertainment hot spot anchored by the eponymously named Nopa, one of the best-loved and most-consistently creative dining spots in the city. Heading up Nopa’s precision-crafted and highly-expressive wine program is Chris Deegan. I recently spoke with him about […]
SlaveToTheGrape In Motion
July 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment
June, the first act of a familiar estival trilogy, at times seems solely to exist as a place holder – one designed to energize an eager audience patiently anticipating the excitement and invigorating heat of yet another summer. Minds begin to fill with fanciful thoughts of leisure in exotic places – of white, sandy beaches, mountain […]
In Vino – Acquerello…Redux!
June 4, 2012 by 3 Comments
Gianpaolo Paterlini is wine director of Acquerello, one of the finest Italian restaurants in America. I recently had a chance to discuss what makes he and his wine program tick. (This is the second of a two-part feature) STTG: How do you structure your list and your by the glass program? GP: …So we are […]
In Vino – Acquerello!
May 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Gianpaolo Paterlini is wine director of Acquerello, one of the finest Italian restaurants in America. I recently had a chance to discuss what makes he and his wine program tick. (This is the first of a two-part feature) SlaveToTheGrape: What was the first hint that you were developing a fascination with wine? Gianpaolo Paterlini: With […]
Phylloxera – The Louse that Crashed the Party!
May 2, 2012 by 2 Comments
The December 4th, 1863 issue of the British publication, Journal of the Society of Arts, reported that while the quality of the wines from the European continent were of a lesser stature than those of the impressive 1862 vintage, there were nonetheless, as with the reds of Burgundy, a handful of districts that produced wines […]
The verse of the vine
May 2, 2012 by 1 Comment
The bishop, the heathen, the soldier, the muse, All legions, collectives, great nations in turn, Through treachery, treaty, industry, ruse, Have nurtured the vine from the earth to the urn; Through wars of attrition, by sweeping decree, Through alliance, betrayal, entreaties, crusade, Republics’ and empires’ hegemony, Gave wings to the vine and a burgeoning trade; […]
The Golden Rules!
April 12, 2012 by 4 Comments
In 1152, in a pivotal moment of European history, Duchess Eléanor of Aquitaine wedded Henry Plantagenet, Count of Anjou who would later become Henry II, Duke of Normandy and king of England. In a testament to the often convoluted, monarchical alliances of Europe, Henry was at once the sovereign of England and vassal to the […]
Roussillon – How Sweet It Is!
March 29, 2012 by 3 Comments
“Wine is a book that speaks to the history of a region – to its past and present as well as to its ties to the joys and sorrows of the people with which its shares a common heritage. You have to get to know it. But in order to do so you must listen […]
Stags Leap District Shows its Colors
March 7, 2012 by 3 Comments
The year is 1852. Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire has just become the 14th president of the United States. California is a newly minted addition of the American Union, its Sierra foothills teeming with wild-eyed fortune seekers clawing at a purported cache of inexhaustible gold bullion. In the northern valleys of Napa and Sonoma, waves […]
Slave To The Grape 