American wine idol

My golly. So I started the Diploma program for the Wines and Spirits Educational Trust (WSETs) and the first (of six over two years) segments is…Viticulture and Vinification. And our class on vinification was guest-talk by…Brandon Sparks-Gilles of Dragonette! And I LOVE Dragonette. So life is mighty cool when you suddenly start being taught by the people you look up to.

Sorry I’m probably so not funny right now. I’m just reeling from “what is this wicked awesome wine life I’m living” joy. Oh and I’ve been acting a bunch more so my brain is addled.

So! Today’s wine. From my fave winery aka the winery owned by my home slice Brandon. The 2015 Dragonette John Sebastiano Vineyard Grenache. I promise to never say home slice again unless it’s my own recipe in house made pizza.

Such a sophisticated Grenache. For those needing review Grenache is a big ol’ player in the southern Rhône and it’s the G in GSM (Syrah and Mourvèdre are the other two letters). Even though I know Dragonette wines have oh so much finesse, for a Grenache from California I sorta was expecting a BIG wine. It’s so much better.

Grenache is known for being ridiculously high alcohol but this one’s vineyard is one of the coolest Rhône-varietal sites in this state. And seeing as such this wine (no surprise like its totes Dragonette duh) has oh so much elegance. And a “mere” 13.5% abv.

Smells like a Cali Pinot. Looks a tad ruddy. Light tannins. Tastes of underripe cherries black grapes and maybe…arugula? Something totally refreshing. I love a chilled red and oddly I think this does well as one.

Dragonette you are my darling. Cheers to you being in my life be it in my glass or teaching me. Wine love. So good.

I promise to be funny again someday but for now gonna finish this elegant glassful of fun.

Season deux!

Thank you for helping me pick a new podcast logo! We are up and running again! Granted, we are moving to a twice a month schedule for the moment because life is crazy and so are we but not too crazy.

Check out season two episode one here!

Ps it’s with Farley Elliott editor of Eater LA.

Pps we recorded before Jonathan Gold passed away. Our homage to his genius you’ll hear stands.

Love you too

A tribute to Jonathan

In the past five years, writing about food and wine had played an ever-escalating role in my life. These days more wine than food but I enjoy both for the same reason I love being an actor. Both food and comedy offer a respite from the world, and form new ways to connect with other humans.

Drama, comedy and flavors toe the line between the intellect and animal sensibility in a way I cannot define but wish to express and share. Hence my need to to make you giggle or cry, or to ply your tastebuds with whatever groundbreaking thing to consume I’ve happened upon.

Jonathan Gold died today. He was the food writer whom we (especially angelenos) looked up to. If you haven’t seen the documentary City of Gold you must. Jonathan Gold took a meal and made it history, an art lesson, and slice of life all in one that somehow made us all feel closer to our city and closer to each other.

He will be missed. I only hope to that I can continue to learn from his writing and spirit.

I don’t know what I’m saying with this post except that he made an impression on me and many, and we should all raise a glass, be it wine or water to a man who touched so many.

Stop! New things!

Okay I know. Cocktails aren’t a totally new thing but they are a break in the wine content.

It’s bloody 107 degrees in Los Angeles as I write and a frosty cocktail is called for. A cute frosty cocktail. Garnished with a bottle of amaro.

I don’t normally drink tequila but when I do I get fancy. Reposado? Not too shabby.

I regret nothing.

I give you:

Ice-Berg

From Brad Thomas Parson’s “Amaro”

1 oz reposado tequila

1 bottle underberg

1 oz orgeat

3/4 fresh lemon juice

Blend with about a cup of ice. Rejoice.

New times for the pod!

My darling podcast, formerly known as The Whine Situation is becoming The Wine Situation in season 2, which should start airing in a week or two! But in the meantime you should subscribe and catch up on season one! Exclamation point!

We changed because decided we had enough whining. The world is dark enough. So we are switching up the focus. We will be having more food and wine guests, but promise to keep our sense of humor!

In the meantime open to opinions on the candidates for our new logo. Because changing the name was an exhausting enough decision for us to make! What do you think?