Introducing The Wine Atelier & Wine Picks for Thanksgiving!!

I'd like to thank everyone for your patience while The Glamorous Gourmet undergoes some exciting changes and improvements. It's hard to believe the blog I began a few years ago to support the Junior League of Boca Raton's James Beard award winning cookbook, Savor the Moment has grown into a full-fledged website which will be fully functional very soon. Aside from the new site, the biggest change is the addition of The Wine Atelier & Club, our latest vinous endeavor.

The Wine Atelier & Club is an online wine boutique, club and educational treasure trove born of a desire to provide you with access to the latest wine discoveries and trends from around the globe. The Wine Atelier also represents a shift in the way wine is typically sold. The word atelier means "studio" and, unlike with many other retailers, here, you’ll never encounter the daunting “wall of wine” navigable only by relying on critic's scores, a prayer and bit of good luck. Our passion is to help you “empower your palate” through education (the fun kind, I promise!) and sampling a variety of wines and styles from around the world. We find that when our clients learn not only what they like but why they like it, they can navigate the world of wine with confidence, understanding and enjoyment. We are here to provide you with unique, personalized assistance in selecting wines at virtually every price point. Please consider us your friend along this journey of vinous exploration!

Wines for Thanksgiving!

For this most American of holidays, why not serve home-grown American wines? Here are five selections that represent great values while also following a few of my favorite pairing principles that can help you avoid an acute case of Wine Pairing Paralysis (click here for more info). These selections have you covered - no need to tangle with the "wall of wine"! 

If you like bubbles...

Domaine Carneros Brut Vintage 2008
This lovely sparkler comes from the California incarnation of Taittinger Champagne and represents an excellent value given its stellar pedigree! Winemaker Eileen Crane (aka America's Doyenne of Sparkling Wine) is the most experienced Sparkling Winemaker in the United States. Crane was hand-selected by Claude Taittinger to not only develop Domaine Carneros's wines but also oversee the design and construction of the winery. 
The 2008 cuvee is a delightful blend of 57% Pinot Noir and 43% Chardonnay. Approximately 9% of the cuvee underwent malolactic fermentation prior to blending. This sparkler has been aged for three years prior to release and is delicious now yet will also age beautifully in your cellar for a decade or more.
Wine Spectator - 90 points
Price: $29 

If you like Chardonnay or Viognier...

2010 Truchard Vineyards Roussanne, Carneros 
Truchard Vineyards began as a 20-acre parcel of land established in 1974 when Dr. Tony and Jo Ann Truchard came to the Carneros region of the Napa Valley. Over the past 31 years the Truchard Estate Vineyard has grown to 400 acres and in addition to making their own estate wines, the Truchards now sell grapes to more than 20 premier Napa Valley wineries.
Roussanne is a white grape grown originally in the Rhône wine region of France, yet has shown great potential in New World regions such as California, Washington, and Australia. This wine has a kiss of oak and also underwent a partial malolactic fermentation resulting in lovely floral aromas of honeysuckle and fresh apricot highlighted with brioche and vanilla. The palate has a creamy texture with flavors of nectarine and Meyer lemon. Firm acidity provides a lengthy finish of citrus, mineral, and spice.
Price: $18  

If you like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc...

2011 Lincourt Steel Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills

Bill Foley founded Lincourt in 1996 in the Sta. Rita Hills region of Santa Barbara County. Today the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, established in 2001, is one of California’s well-respected, cool-climate, viticultural regions. This area is exposed to fog and coastal breezes from the nearby Pacific Ocean that create an ideal climate for growing cool-climate grapes such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Unlike big, oaky Chardonnays, this wine is fermented entirely in stainless steel and is a blend of 98% Chardonnay and 2% Gruner Veltliner. It features lovely aromas of kiwi and citrus zest and the palate is crisp and minerally with notes of lemons and green apples. This wine is very versatile and makes a fabulous aperitif or pairing for a variety of cuisines.
Price: $17   

If you like Pinot Noir or lighter reds...

2009 Shooting Star Blue Franc, Washington State

Owner and winemaker, Jed Steele has been involved in California's wine industry for 43 years. After starting some of California's best known wineries including Edmeades and Kendall-Jackson, he created Steele Wines which reflects his never ending fascination with many different varietals and vineyard locations. His approach allows him to maintain the practice of true craftmanship in the production of their small lot bottlings.

Blaufrankisch (aka Lemberger) is a late-ripening red grape variety known for its ability to produce red wines with approachable tannins and spicy character. This wine is clean and crisp with aromas and flavors of black fruits and berries that complement notes of pepper, cherry and cinnamon. The Shooting Star Blue Franc also has soft tannins, medium body, great color and pairs well with a variety of cuisine. It has a beautiful label too!
Price: $14   

If you like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon...

2011 Cline Cashmere 

What's not to love about cashmere this time of year? Fred Cline founded Cline Cellars near Oakley, CA in 1982 and was responsible for preserving and restoring many ancient vine sites to their rightful condition as premier California wine lands. After relocating his winery to the Carneros region of Sonoma in 1991, a region planted largely to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot, Cline pioneered the planting of Rhône varietals including Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne.

The 2011 Cline Cashmere is a delightful and approachable blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Syrah. This wine offers aromas and flavors of bright cherry, raspberry, chocolate and toast with hints of cracked black pepper and plum. It is a versatile reds that pairs well with a variety of cuisines.

Wine Spectator - 88 points
Price: $16  

The Wine Atelier also offers a full range of Sommelier services including Wine Cellar Management and Consulting; Wine Tastings, Parties and Seminars for both private and corporate events; Wedding  Consultations; and Food and Wine Pairings.

While The Glamorous Gourmet & Wine Atelier website is under construction, to purchase these or any other wines for your holiday dinners, parties or gifts please call 561-317-6663 or e-mail stephanie@theglamorousgourmet.com. Mention this post and receive 10% off your purchase of a case of any of the wines mentioned in this post.

Cheers,

 

Postcards from Paris: Part Deux!

Les Ambassadeurs at Hôtel de Crillon

We began our second day in Paris with breakfast at the hotel in the legendary Les Ambassadeurs dining room. The sumptuous space, formerly the Count of Crillon's ballroom, is replete with gorgeous Baccarat crystal chandeliers, ornate frescoes and polished marble that beautifully embody the Rococo aesthetic. Built in 1758, Les Ambassadeurs has operated as a restaurant within the Hôtel de Crillon since the 19th century. It reached the height of its popularity as a restaurant and night club in the 1870's when it was frequented by the aristocracy and some of the best known figures of the art world. As a result, it has been portrayed in works of art by Edgar Degas and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and was also featured in Ernest Hemingway's memoir "A Moveable Feast." In 2011, the restaurant was re-awarded a Michelin star after losing its two star status in 2010 following the departure of Chef Jean-Francois Piege. The very talented Chef Christopher Hache and his team are dedicated to restoring Les Ambassadeurs to its former culinary glory. I have to say they're doing a pretty fabulous job!

L'eglise de la Madeleine

After breakfast we wandered around the city and came across L'eglise de la Madeleine (Church of the Madeleine), a Roman Catholic Church with a long and complicated history. Razed to the ground at three different points during its construction, it was finally built in the Neo-Classical style envisioned by Napoleon who was inspired by the Maison Carée at Nimes, one of the best-preserved Roman temples. Despite Napoleon's plan to have the structure serve as a memorial to the French Army, King Louis XVIII ultimately decided it would serve as a church dedicated to Mary Magdalene which was finally consecrated in 1842.

Beautiful Produce at Hediard & Fresh Red Currants

Further down the street on Place de la Madeleine was Hédiard, a fabulous gourmet grocery store featuring beautiful displays of produce, teas, spices and other gourmet specialties. This Parisian gastronomic institution was founded in 1850 by Ferdinand Hédiard and was born out of his love for exotic produce such as lychee, guava and bananas - the likes of which Paris had never seen! This location is Hediard's flagship store and it was from this very place that Hédiard first sold his fabulous produce to the finest restaurants in Paris as well as his loyal customers. He is even credited with providing celebrated artist Eugene Delacroix, a longtime fan, with his first pineapple. The day we were there was actually the first time I had ever seen fresh red currants which looked like beautiful, shiny, ruby red jewels - thanks, Ferdinand!

Chanel Boutique at 31 Rue Cambon

Of course, a trip to Paris just wouldn't be complete without a trip to the mecca of fashion: Chanel! While there are quite a few Chanel stores in Paris, the one located at 31 Rue Cambon holds special meaning because it is also the address of Coco Chanel's apartment which is located directly above the boutique. Mademoiselle Chanel didn't actually live in the apartment (in fact, it doesn't even have a bedroom) choosing instead to live at the nearby Ritz Hotel. Every morning before she crossed Place Vendôme on her way to the Rue Cambon boutique she would call to inform them of her imminent arrival so the staircase of her apartment (pictured above) could be misted with Chanel No. 5 to herald her arrival. I've been trying to get Steve to do that ever since we've been back but so far no luck. What a way to start the day!

John Travolta & Kelly Preston at Chanel, Avenue Montaigne

The biggest Chanel buzz during our stay in Paris was the brand new 6,500 square foot Chanel boutique at 51 Avenue Montaigne. This store makes a total of three Chanel boutiques on this revered street alone! The new store was inspired by Coco Chanel's apartment and echoed similar elements including textured screens, sumptuous fabrics and a gorgeous stairway with gilded railings and a cascade of pearls dripping from the ceiling onto the white marble floor below. When we arrived there was a crowd of paparazzi out front (no not for us!) who were hoping to catch a glimpse of some other shoppers getting their "Chanel on" that day: John Travolta and Kelly Preston. A flurry of activity surrounded their private fitting room while Chanel associates buzzed in and out with armfuls of stunning merchandise. When the couple left, Kelly was wearing a few beautiful new Chanel necklaces and clutching multiple black bags of fabulousness. If John's trying to make up for something I'd say he's definitely headed in the right direction!

After our Tour de Chanel we visited the Musee de L'Orangerie located in the western end of the Tuileries Gardens. This museum is home to a treasure trove of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by artists including Picasso, Matisse, Cezanne, Modigliani and many more. The museum also represents another Midnight in Paris filming location. If you're familiar with the movie, this is where Gil and Inez accompany Paul and Carol for the private showing of Monet's "Water Lilies." Paul, being the pedantic, pseudo-intellectual, Monet expert that he is, proceeds to school the group on the historical significance of Monet's work.

Auguste Rodin's "Le Baiser"

Eight panels of Monet's "Water Lilies", or "Nymphéas" as they are known in France, do reside at L'Orangerie. In 1922 Monet agreed to donate the pieces to the French government with the understanding they would be displayed in specially designed rooms at the museum. However, due to his reluctance to part with them, it wasn't until after his death in 1926 that they were finally installed and displayed for the public. A major renovation took place from 2000-2006 that enabled these historic works to be viewed as Monet had originally intended: under direct diffused natural light. While I was too busy enjoying to take photos of them (sorry!) I did take one of Auguste Rodin's beautiful bronze sculpture "Le Baiser" located on the terrace of the museum. 

After a busy day exploring Paris we had an early dinner and called it a night before an early train to Champagne the following morning...

Cheers,

Postcards from Paris: Part Une!

Paris's Hôtel de Crillon

Before embarking on a two week exploration of some of France's renowned wine regions, Steve and I spent a few fabulous days in Paris. From food to wine and art to fashion this city definitely has it all! So what to do in this veritable cultural wonderland with only a few short days and so many options? Here's a few of our postcards from Paris.

This visit we stayed at the historic Hôtel de Crillon, one of Paris's six Palace Hotels, located on Place de la Concorde. Constructed in 1758 this hotel is located right in the center of Paris and is a great location from which to explore this fabulous city. After arriving from the airport on a Sunday morning, we took a moment to enjoy the gorgeously appointed lobby, a quick glass of Champagne and some delicious pastries then headed straight for the Boulevard Raspail Market located in Paris's 6th arrondissement. The market is open three days a week and on Sunday becomes one of the city's marché biologiques, or organic markets, which extends from the Rue de Cherche-Midi to Rue de Rennes. The market featured beautiful stalls of fresh produce, delicious meats, fragrant cheeses and brilliantly colored flowers - it was a feast for the senses!

Beautiful Produce at the Boulevard Raspail Street Market

After the market we meandered through Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the charming neighborhood that lines the Left Bank of the Seine and is home to many storied cafés and brasseries such as Cafe de Flore (a personal favorite!), Les Deux Magots and Brasserie Lipp. You'll also find an array of specialty food stores including Poilâne, arguably the best bread in Paris, as well as Pierre Hermé, home to mouth-wateringly beautiful confections including a delightful mille feuille and a rainbow of macarons and decadent chocolates.

When planning the itinerary for this trip, I was very inspired by the delightful movie Midnight in Paris, written and directed by Woody Allen and starring Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams. If you haven't seen it and you are a Francophile or lover of Art History, Literature or Music, it is an absolute MUST! I just loved the scene at Polidor where Owen Wilson's character first meets Ernest Hemingway. It is located on Rue Monsieur-le-Prince and actually looks alot like it does in the movie, very Old World quaint. 

We continued to wander and appreciated having some beautiful weather in which to do our exploring. In fact, it wasn't much cooler than it was back in Florida, but luckily after a few days the temperatures dropped to a more comfortable level. After strolling around most of the afternoon it was time for a mid afternoon nap to try and counter the jet lag. 

One of my favorite things about the beautiful Hôtel de Crillon were the gorgeous bouquets of pink roses everywhere. The lobby smelled positively divine! 

Later that evening we decided to do a little more exploring and luckily, we didn't have to go far to find another great location from Midnight in Paris. As it turns out, Maxim's was right around the corner from our hotel. Maxim's is an historic Paris eatery established in 1893 and known for its Art Nouveau decor. It had quite the storied reputation due to its world class cuisine and famous clientele. It attracted a slew of celebrities over the years including Jean Cocteau, Aristotle Onassis, Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson as well as Brigitte Bardot, who caused a scandal in the 1970's when she entered the restaurant in her bare feet. In Midnight in Paris, Marion Cotillard's character Adriana is smitten with the idea of La Belle Epoque Paris. Maxim's is one of the places she desperately wants to visit in order to escape the mundane 1920's.

Directly in front of our hotel was the Place de la Concorde one of the largest squares in Paris. Conveniently situated between the Tuileries and the Champs Elysseés to the west, the square is home to the majestic Luxor Obelisk which was originally located at the entrance to the Luxor Temple in Egypt. The structure was gifted to the French in the 19th century and in 1836 King Louis Philippe had it placed where the guillotine once stood during the Revolution. It is flanked by two beautiful, ornate fountains, the Fontaines de la Concorde. The square also provides a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower at night.

To be continued...

Cheers,

"El Camino del Vino" Recap & The Wines of Walla Walla, Washington!

Charlie Arturaola, Moi & Pandora Anwyl

Bonjour, my fabulous foodie friends! Following a whirlwind trip to a few of France's renowned wine regions I have been very remiss at keeping up with my posting. In my defense, sampling all that great wine and food was incredibly time consuming. Seriously, the trip was quite an adventure but before I jump into all the dish I wanted to report on the extraordinary South Florida Premier of El Camino del Vino at the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale last month and also tell you about our event coming up this week.

As you may already know from my previous post, the film was a fictionalized documentary featuring world renowned Sommelier Charlie Arturaola and his delightful wife Pandora Anwyl. In addition to having many years of experience in the wine industry, these two special people also have deep roots in the South Florida community and have influenced many oenophiles during their respective careers. The premier at the Museum was very special because in attendance were many of their friends and colleagues who had not yet seen the film that had debuted at some of the most prestigious film festivals around the world yet had not made it to Florida. Needless to say, the film met with rave reviews from our guests, and Pandora and Charlie were kind enough to share many of the behind the scenes stories as well as their future plans (a second film perhaps?) during the Q&A following the screening. 

The festive crowd enjoyed an assortment of excellent Argentine wines provided by Republic National Distributing Company, our wine sponsor for the evening, and delicious cuisine from Miami's Gaucho Ranch, a purveyor of authentic grass-fed Argentine beef. All in all it was a wonderful evening and a true pleasure to work with Charlie and Pandora as well as Tom Davia at Shoreline Entertainment to bring this wonderful film to South Florida. For a look at some of the fun, please check out the slideshow!

Our next installment of "The Art of Wine & Food" at the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale will take place this Thursday, September 27th. I am happy to report we will be featuring a special guest, Howard Freedland of Bulletproof Wine and Spirits who will be presenting the wines of Seven Hills Winery from Walla Walla, Washington. The impressive wines from this pioneering Washington state winery are quickly catching the eye of critics and we are fortunate to be sampling some exclusive offerings during our tasting. For more information or to purchase your tickets to the event, please click here. Thanks again to all who supported last month's event and I hope to see you on Thursday!

Cheers,

The Wines of Hyde de Villaine: A Slice of Burgundy in the Heart of Napa!

de Villaine, Hyde & Vivier

During our trip to California last month, we had the pleasure of discovering a very special yet easily overlooked gem nestled among a landscape of grand entrances and impressive architecture in the Napa Valley.

Hyde de Villaine, or HdV, is an unassuming winery with a very impressive pedigree. It is first and foremost a family affair, representing a collaboration between Hyde Vineyards of Napa Valley and Aubert and Pamela de Villaine of Burgundy. The connection? Aubert de Villaine's wife, Pamela happens to be Larry Hyde's first cousin.

Larry Hyde was born into one of California's oldest farming families and brought his love of wine and soil to the Napa Valley over thirty years ago. In 1979 he made the decision to purchase the land in Carneros that would later become Hyde Vineyards, and his career has been devoted to the expression of Carneros terroir. Aubert de Villaine is one of Burgundy's most well-known and respected individuals. He is proprietor of one of the world's most legendary wine estates, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, also referred to as DRC, which produces some of the world's most renowned wines, which also happen to be some of the most expensive. In addition to DRC and HdV, he also owns and operates A & P de Villaine with his wife Pamela in Bouzeron. To their partnership in the Napa Valley, de Villaine brings the foundation upon which HdV bases its theory and practices.

Stéphane Vivier & Moi

During our visit to the winery we had the pleasure of meeting Stéphane Vivier, winemaker for HdV since 2002. The charming and affable Vivier was born and raised in France and has studied winemaking and viticulture in Burgundy a number of other countries around the world including Switzerland, New Zealand and California. His goal as winemaker is to channel the nuance and elegance of Burgundy through the prism of exceptional California fruit and Carneros terroir. HdV was established in 2000 and definitely falls into the category of a boutique winery. The winery's total yearly production is just 3,000 cases with all of the fruit being sourced from Hyde Vineyards. Vivier shared much about the history of the winery and guided us through a delightful tasting of the HdV wines. 

The Lineup!

There is a rich historic legacy behind the wines of HdV. Featured prominently on the bottles is a coat of arms representing the de la Guerra family, one of the oldest documented families in California. Pamela de Villaine and the Hydes are descendants of this family and the presence of the coat of arms is meant to symbolize the sense of tradition, family and winemaking history embodied in this endeavor.

Our tasting of the HdV wines began with the 2010 De La Guerra Chardonnay ($45). On the nose were inviting aromas of citrus and minerals followed by a fresh and focused palate featuring subtle nuances of oak that beautifully highlighted the wine's floral and citrus notes. Made from from 15-17 year old vines this wine was aged in  a combination of neutral oak, concrete egg and stainless steel for eight months. Vivier eschews the use of batonnage or lees stirring and has refrained from using it since 2005. His reason? To truly capture the Carneros terroir in the glass, not the winemaking. He likens battonage to makeup used to conceal flaws and stressed the importance of doing the work in the vineyard in order to avoid compensating through various winemaking techniques. This wine demonstrated a delightful integration of Burgundian elegance and California opulence.

Next was the 2009 HdV Chardonnay ($60) crafted from 20-30 year old vines. A study in restrained elegance, this wine had subtle notes of citrus, stone fruit and spice with a lovely mineral character. It was aged for 15 months, 12 months in oak (20% new) as well as stainless steel. Vivier stressed the importance of stainless steel in the production of his Chardonnays explaining how it, "brings focus to the wines." The '09 Chardonnay is also unfiltered and unfined further demonstrating his "hands-off" approach to winemaking that truly lets the exceptional Hyde vineyard terroir shine through. Like the '10 De La Guerra, this wine was beautifully balanced although with more complexity.

Our first red wine of the tasting was the 2007 HdV "Californio" Hyde Vineyard Syrah ($50) whose name refers to the early California settlers or "Californios" who brought Old World sophistication to the Western shores of the US. This lovely Rhone-inspired selection was crafted from 12-15 year old vines and was rife with notes of black currant, roasted herbs and black pepper as well as a lovely minerality. As with each wine before it, it was well-balanced and very approachable although it could benefit from some bottle age as well. When asked what dish he would recommend pairing with this wine, Vivier had two different yet delicious suggestions: Ahi Tuna with soy sauce and sesame oil, or the French classic Blanquette de Veau.

Our final wine of the tasting was the 2007 HdV Belle Cousine ($60) which translates to "beautiful cousin," so named for Pamela de Villaine, Larry Hyde's first cousin. A Bordeaux-inspired blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon this wine exhibited enticing notes of black currant, sweet cedar and spice along with firm, chewy tannins. Much like the Syrah the '07 Belle Cousine was approachable yet would also benefit from some additional time in the bottle. As with all the other wine we sampled, the Belle Cousine was deliciously food friendly and had me instantly craving roasted lamb.

If you are a fan of Burgundy or enjoy a more restrained, elegant style of wine, the wines of Hyde de Villaine are a definite must! A big thank you to Stéphane for taking the time to meet with us and if you happen to be out in the Napa Valley be sure to add a stop to HdV to your itinerary.

Cheers,

"How to Be a Gracious Houseguest" by Loretta Neff of The Elegant Way School of Protocol!

Today I'd like to introduce you to a very special lady who has agreed to do a guest post for The Glamorous Gourmet. Loretta Neff is the President and Chief Etiquette Officer of The Elegant Way School of Protocol - she also happens to be a really fabulous person as well! Loretta is one of those people who is innately blessed with impeccable taste and style and is a bona fide authority on all things elegant. 

I've asked her to write about a relevant topic for many South Florida residents: the virtues of being a gracious houseguest. Whether we have friends and family visiting us during the fabulous Florida season or it's us doing the visiting during the blazing hot Summer months, it's always good to be armed with etiquette - especially if you want to be invited back! 

So without further ado, here is Loretta's advice for being the best houseguest you can be. For more information on all things relating to manners and etiquette please check out Loretta's website at www.theelegantway.com.

"Everyone Loves a Gracious Houseguest"

Courtesy of The Shoreby Club

During the summer, the big question everyone asks is, “Have any special plans?” Most people answer with a resounding, “Yes!” and then they begin to tell you all about them.

Special plans can run the gamut… from house parties, sports outings, family vacations, romantic getaways to metropolitan cities, exotic ports, old-world countries, and underdeveloped regions.

For some, the itinerary may be as simple as spending quality time with family and friends.  And for others, the itinerary may be as elaborate as boarding planes, crossing major oceans, and traveling through multiple time zones to seek adventure, marvel at a piece of history, or immerse themselves into another culture.

Whatever your pleasure, should any of your plans involve the good fortune of being a houseguest, you may wish to refresh your memory with the tips that follow to ensure a harmonious stay…and perhaps another invitation in the future.

How to Be a Gracious Houseguest

Depending on the closeness of your relationship, staying as a houseguest requires some communication and understanding beforehand to make a visit congenial. As a rule, a three-day stay is best or one runs the risk of overstaying one's welcome. As a guest you should be thoughtful and self-sufficient. You should clean up after yourself in the kitchen, bath, and sleeping areas (this includes removing any hair or residue in the sinks or around the drains, hanging any wet towels, and inquiring where to place your soiled bed linens.)

If you’re an early riser and your host is not, be sure to discuss preferences for making coffee or tea, and learn where things are kept. Most often your host will tell you where food and beverage items are so that you can help yourself.  If your host doesn’t, then you should ask permission ahead of time.

If you are given the use of a car, be sure to have it cleaned and refueled upon return. Most importantly, honor your departure date.

Courtesy of Vosges Haut-Chocolat

Upon your departure leave a bedside note and small gift, or send them once you’ve returned home. The advantage to the latter choice is that you’ve had a chance to observe the decor and learn about their objects of affection, so a gift idea is made easier. For longer stays, you should expect to contribute to household duties and grocery items, and purchase a significant gift.

Gifts may include one or more of the following:  Soaps, Candles, Wines, Champagnes, Chocolates, Coffee, Tea, Jams, Monogrammed Guest Towels, Table Books, or Gift Certificates.

As a Houseguest, Definitely Don’t…

• Ask to bring your pet. 
• Accept an invitation from someone else during your visit without first checking with your host. 
•  Use your host’s phone, computer, or any other equipment without asking. 
• Use more than your share of hot water. 
• Snoop

Courtesy of: Emily Post’s Etiquette 18th Edition Manners for a New World

The South Florida Premier of "El Camino del Vino" featuring World-renowned Sommelier Charlie Arturaola!

Charlie Arturaola

We recently celebrated the second anniversary of "The Art of Wine and Food" series at the Museum of Art Ft. Lauderdale and I'm happy to announce we have another very exciting event planned for next week!

On Thursday, August 23rd we will feature the South Florida Premier of "El Camino del Vino" a film directed by Nicolás Carreras and starring world-renowned Sommelier and South Florida resident Charlie Arturaola. The movie is a fictionalized documentary based on Arturaola's life and filmed in Mendoza, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay. The film, whose title translates to "The Ways of Wine," tells the story of Arturaola, a real-life Uruguayan sommelier and one of the top sommeliers in the US, who loses his palate while presenting Mendoza's Masters of Food & Wine Awards. The film strikes a great balance between the comic and the serious as it depicts Arturaola's journey of self-discovery on his quest to regain his palate. The film has been very well-received, garnering the prestigious FIPRESCI (Federacion Internacional de la Prensa Cinematografica) at the Mar del Plata Film Festival in 2010. In 2011, the film screened in the prestigious Kino Kulinarische program at Berlinale, at the newly established Transatlanyk Film Fest, as well as at Enologica 32 in Montefalco. The US premiere was at the Napa Valley Film Festival and the film is scheduled to screen in London and the Melbourne Film Festival in August.

In addition to his extensive world travels, Arturaola also has long standing ties to South Florida. Prior to founding his own global wine consulting company Grappolo Blu, he held positions as Wine Director at the Boca Raton Resort & Club and taught wine at both Lynn University and Johnson and Wales University in Miami. In addition to being named "One of the Nation's Top Ten Palates" by the American Sommelier Association, Charlie's impressive list of credentials includes positions as a featured sommelier and educator at many of the country’s greatest wine festivals, including Aspen, CO; Naples, FL (as a founding sommelier); Napa, CA; and Jackson Hole, WY. Charlie was also recently honored with the 2012 International Wine and Spirits Competition Communicator of the Year Award, sponsored by Vinitaly. The award recognizes an individual whose communication skills in the last 12 months have made an exceptional contribution towards promoting and increasing public awareness and interest in wines and spirits. To read more about Charlie, please visit his website at www.charlieswines.com. 

At the premier of "El Camino del Vino" on the 23rd, guests will enjoy a screening of the film followed by a reception featuring a selection of Argentine wines, authentic Argentine cuisine from Gaucho Ranch in Miami, as well as a Q & A with the Arturaola himself. Cost for the evening is $50 per person and reservations are required. To RSVP please call 954-262-0249 or e-mail gvilone@moafl.org. For a sneak peek of "El Camino del Vino" please check out the trailer below. We hope to see you there!

Cheers,