Interview: “The Frank”
Some know him for opening one of Beijing’s first non-hotel bars – the creatively named Frank’s Place (1990). Some know him for his later establishment …
Media: “Shanxi takes on wine world”
Thanks to GS for forwarding a South China Morning Post article about China’s Grace Vineyard – Shanxi takes on wine world – by Mark Graham (registration …
Big draw at Big 9
The first two times I went to Big 9, it was emptier than a bottle of Veuve Cliquot at my friend E-Salt’s house after New …
Salzburg Showdown: Kracher Vs. Schandl
Oliver Sedlinger, Stefan Fleischer, his friend Vera and I tried some Austrian wines a few weeks ago. (Disclosure: Oliver’s friend makes the Schandl wines tried …
Fine monkey wine
You can teach monkeys many things, but I doubt that making booze is among them. It’s something they need to discover on their own. (By …
On the Loosen
I went to Summergate‘s wine tasting at the Hilton last week and it was a big mistake. I tried four wines from Dr. Loosen – …
Frankly tasting: Five new world sparklers
Frank Siegel poured five “new world” sparkling wines at his last Friday night tasting and I popped in to give them a try. While 15 people signed up …
Barossa Ben, Melbourne’d Meat and Kangaroo Cuts
Poor Perri Kane – an unlucky day for the Australian brand manager at Palette as she found herself sitting across from me at her company’s media tasting for winemaker Ben …
Grace under pressure: Q&A with winery CEO Judy Leissner
Yesterday, I emailed Grace Vineyard President Judy Leissner with five quick queries and the answers were back faster than it takes for a bottle of …
Say Grace: The search for seven good Chinese wines, part 1
Note: I will post the notes from the second blind tasting shortly. I’ve received numerous emails from people who are either: 1) curious about Chinese …