Wine for the holidays: needless to say, it’s a must. The question is what? Here, 12 bottles to suit a range of palates, meals and occasions from low-key, cozy meal to celebratory splurge, champagne to red wines, natural to elegant. I’ve noted some local restaurants pouring select wines if you want to taste first.
My bottle column covers trends and reviews international spirits and RTDs, with taste ratings:
The canned wine “game” keeps getting better. Not only are each of these canned wines or wine clubs of high quality to please the wine geek, they’re approachable for all. One is the best non-alcoholic wine we’ve yet tasted, another contributes to environmental change — and all are (yes!) locally based.
My dining column in Bob Cut magazine covers standout newcomers and longtimers worth supporting.
I’m covering outdoor and indoor dining, takeout and delivery restaurants, all of which I’ve vetted, visited or ordered from. Here are this month’s 10 standouts: Read more →
During pandemic, our beloved dining and drink communities continue to struggle to survive, so my dining column includes takeout/delivery and outdoor dining standouts, alongside our increasing indoor dining as we move from red to orange tiers. I have vetted, visited and/or ordered directly from each place and all working hard adhering safety guidelines: Read more →
In the Winter 2020-2021 print issue of Distiller Magazine, my article and interview of two women in distilling and winemaking —from Kentucky and Napa Valley—who are collaborating on turning around tragedy (the recent years of unprecedented NorCal fires and their damage of smoke-tainted grapes) into spirits innovation… smoked brandies in a range of styles and experimentation.
Published at Haute Living Magazine, the November-December 2019 issue includes my feature on Gibson in San Francisco’s Adam Chapman and his one-of-a-kind, pioneering drinks that combine wine and spirits in one glass, employ freezer-distilled juice or roof-dry herbs before steeping them in spirits. Online here. MY HAUTE LIVING ARTICLES— Wine Country Inns with Exceptional Dining (& Growing Their Own Produce)… Read more →
In my latest feature at Blackboard Eats, I cover 7 exceptional neighborhood markets in San Francisco — & one classic in Oakland — selling well-curated selections of gourmet foods and drink (article here):— Dolores Outpost, Mission — The Epicurean Trader, Bernal Heights & Cow Hollow — Merchant Roots, Lower Fillmore— Lucca Ravioli Co., Mission— Say Cheese, Cole Valley— Rockridge Market Hall, Oakland—… Read more →
Published by Where Traveler Magazine in their annual Where Guestbook for 2018, my article on Japanese influence — from winemakers to ramen, a ryokan-like inn to a Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant — across Sonoma and Napa counties. www.wheretraveler.com/san-francisco/eat/california-wine-country-obsessed-japan Read more →
From my weekly Time Out column, published September 5, 2017: I share four low proof bar greats around the Bay Area — Oakland to SF — that are not so much about cocktails. These four are standout bars pouring the likes of unusual, natural wines, sherry, vermouth, fortified wines, Champagne and sparkling wine. —Horsies Saloon at Royal Cuckoo Market, Mission… Read more →