Pairing Chocolate and Wine

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to show off and pair wine with chocolates for your sweetheart!

Back in December, I contributed to another blog; an article on pairing chocolate and wine.  During the holiday season, people ate a lot of chocolates and drank a lot of wine.  Naturally, it was a good time to post an article on pairing chocolate and wine. I held off on posting it on my blog, because I think that Valentine’s Day is a much better time to post this article.

Guys, read it carefully this is your chance to

WOW your significant other. Read Full

Aliane Wines

French Wines from Independent Vintners for the Independent Thinker

 Aliane Wines is a small San Diego importer and distributor owned by two

Anita Busquets and Aline Thiebault

hard-working ladies, Aline Thiebault  and Anita Busquets.  Their focus is in bringing small producers from France who are committed to sustainable agriculture yet making old world wines for the new world palate.  They have built personal relationships with growers and wine makers and started importing wines into the States.  Aline, daughter of a cooper in Burgundy, always dreamed of being an “ambassador of Burgundy”.  She has built many strong relationships with growers and wine makers in Burgundy.  (In this business, strong relationships are what matters whether you are a wine grower, wine maker, distributor or buyer).  Anita has an amazing palate with a strong business sense.  After graduating from Cornell and receiving her MBA from Simmons Graduate School of Management, she went on to receive her level 3 Sommelier diploma from the International Guild of Sommeliers. Read Full

SYRAH EVENT

At Island Prime & C-Level I have created a wine club Prime Cru in which members get a chance to take part in special events.  I conduct tastings, wine dinners, seminars and wine sales.  It’s easy to register for the club and it is completely free.

FEBRUARY 4th 12-2pm, I WILL BE HOLDING A SEMINAR AND TASTING ON SYRAH

Wine Education III – My Frustrations in Teaching

I like to talk about wine education and how it relates to my work.  I strive in trying to keep my staff well-informed.  Sometimes I succeed and other times I don’t.  Understanding each employees needs and interests is the most difficult part.  If everyone was open to wine education , my job would be a breeze. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Read Full

The People Behind Your Dining Experience

Meet Tiffany Gillespie and Josh Grimes, two of the people behind your dining experience.

Who are the people behind your dining experience?  How often do you get to know your server?  Everyone has their own idea of what the dining experience should and shouldn’t be.  There are those diners who want a talkative and vivacious server and others that prefer a more aloof server.  Some people consider medium rare as red center with a little blood while an others pink in the center.  Some guests look at the menu by reading the right side first, the prices.  Others read the descriptions and order according to what sounds good.  Some people come to the restaurant to find something wrong and others expect to be blown away.  It takes a special individual to meet the expectations of the general public.

The restaurant business is not for everybody.  It takes a special person to have the humility to serve others with a smile no matter how good or badly he/she is treated.  A restaurant worker needs to be able to multitask and make quick decisions on the spot.  A restaurant worker has a diverse personality and has the ability to change their personality according the moment.  They need to work under pressure and keep up an appearance of control.  Restaurant employees  have so much more going on than just their work.  Many have chosen this career path because it allows them the flexibility to pursue other interests. Read Full