I had the opportunity to speak with Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV via Skype last week and I wanted to share the video of the interview. I apologize in advance for some of the sound quality – this was my first Skype video on my new computer and so I am still playing with all of the sound settings…Enjoy!
While I was in Bordeaux, I had the opportunity to do a short interview with my friend, Juliet Bruce-Jones who is also a fellow Master of Wine. Juliet is originally from England, but a few years ago she and her family moved to the South of France. After spending some time in the Languedoc recently, I have to admit, I am a bit jealous. That part of France is exceptionally beautiful and there is tons to see, do, eat and drink. I decided to ask Juliet to share a little bit with you about the Languedoc and what she does there. Should you ever decide to plan a trip to that part …
I have had the good fortune recently to join up with some other wine professionals in the Raleigh-Durham area for a monthly tasting group. One of my fellow tasters is Max Kast, the sommelier at Fearrington House, an inn and restaurant located in Pittsboro, North Carolina. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend checking out Fearrington House – it is an amazing place and they have an incredible wine list. Max was nice enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions. I think you will enjoy reading what he has to say. Cheers!
Recently, I had the opportunity to ask 10 questions of winemaker Laurent Miquel, who is based in the Saint Chinian appellation in the South of France where his family has been making wine since 1789. While Laurent comes from a long tradition of winemakers, I think he is an outstanding example of how a new generation of winemakers is affecting the wine industry in France. His Viognier and Syrah are part of my Top Picks list and as you can see from his website (www.laurent-miquel.com), he makes a number of other wines that you would do well to search out.
1. What is your earliest memory of the wine-making process?
My grandfather was a winemaker in Alsace and there have been winemakers in my family as far back as anyone can remember. They were still making Riesling and Gewurztraminer in manual basket presses when I was a little boy. I began picking grapes at 5-6 years old.
2. Tell us your favorite thing about being a sommelier.
I enjoy everything about being a sommelier. The best part of this job is surely the contact with people. I like helping a guest find the perfect wine to enhance their experience.
Recently I had the pleasure of spending some time with Wine Internet Superstar Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV. I have to admit, I really had no idea how the interview was going to go – but when it was all said and done, this interview definitely ranks at the top of my list. I hope you enjoy listening to our chat and be sure to check out what happens at the end of the interview when I challenge Gary to a cork drop game!
To watch the interview, click here or press the play button on the video at the top right corner
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Nancy Rugus, who is the Director of the Americas for Compagnie Medocaine Des Grands Crus, a Bordeaux negociant. She was kind enough to answer a few questions for me about a subject near and dear to her heart – French Wine!
1. How did you get started in the wine business?
I fell in love with food and wine. I was teaching in the NYC public schools and took a leave of absence to start selling wine in NYC for a wine division at one of the larger distributors. I had no …
I first met DC Flynt back in 2001 when I entered the Master of Wine program. You’d be hard-pressed to find a nicer or warmer wine expert! DC has a background in restaurants, but now works as an importer and distributor. DC has always been passionate about French wine, especially wines from Burgundy. I especially love his answer to question number 10 – it is truly indicative of the down-to-earth wine-lover that he is!
1. How did you get started in the wine business?
In 1966 at 14 I started working in a restaurant as a busboy, and shortly became a waiter. Selling wine to our patrons was …
People always want to know how I got started in the wine business. I always enjoy telling the story of how I used to sit in the back of the classroom at the International Wine Center, nervous as anything that I would get called upon to read my tasting notes. A complete novice, I barely knew my Chardonnay from my Cabernet Sauvignon and I probably would not have gotten very far with my tasting notes were it not for the fact that two sommeliers who were sitting next to me decided to take me under their wings. Luckily for me, one of those guys was Bernie Sun, one of …
Will, Brooklyn, NY
