he was great

mj was a great performer and brought me much happiness.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Le Bernardin wins for wine service. Wynn was there too...

Tonight in New York at the James Beard Foundation awards, Aldo Sohm (wine director) accepts the award for Le Bernardin for Best Wine Service. Daniel won for best service, Jean-Georges for best restaurant, and Dan Barber won for best chef. All in New York.

Steve Wynn was spotted at Le Bernardin last week too. Seems like things are looking up here in the East in terms of the economy... it's a win Wynn. For me, I want Vegas to go back to the way it was in the old days... I'm originally from LV and hate to see all the stories of its demise. While Las Vegas is hurting, things are brighter in New York, especially (with me) at LB.

Tasting menu at Dumont tonight in Williamsburg was awesome. Barcade in B-burg is worth it as well, they have a great draft selection (cheap) and fun, old video games like my fav Galaga. Tasting group yesterday was great, but the Malbecs didn't show that well. We had Argentina and Cahors. The new Inoteca is a good late night place for a snack after work. Ask for Kalani and have the calamari salad, the cocktails are only $10.

women in wine

Here is a link to a new wine radio show my friend Erin is doing from Brooklyn:

http://www.heritageradionetwork.com/programs/10-At-the-Root-of-It

I get the question/comment so many times at work (I work on the floor at Le Bernardin in New York as a sommelier) that people rarely see women as sommeliers. I guess there is a concentration of women working in the field here in NYC, and maybe larger markets like LA, because I know and see many of them. Where are you and do you see many women in wine? One of Erin's programs is an interview with Amy Aiken who is a wine maker in Napa.

Here is another link from Erin and her recent wine trip to Germany:

http://esseconsulting.wordpress.com/wines-of-germany-trip-2009/

By the way, I made contact with Women for WineSense while I lived in Napa, and never got a call back. What do they do and what are they all about.

Bring on the heat

So why facebook and not myspace? I'm not going to twitter. I liked prime meats in Brooklyn, though this steak is from Rothmann's in midtown. What to do with all the corks?

"plummy with strong thrusting overtones"

As this year ends I look back and remember I had some of the best things ever, but in the end I have to say this year was not the greatest. I'm happy it's over. You can compare 2008 to a wine that has too much oak, high alcohol and a very short finish with no satisfaction. I feel very good about 2009.

hope for the holiday

I have so much to be thankful for, so thank you. Thanks to all my family and friends (and doctors who I consider to be my friends). I pray for all of the people who are hungry, cold and lonely. Don't worry about the stupid small stuff, just be nice and let's try to help each other. If we are lucky we will have all of our fingers and toes, and a bottle of wine to share with someone. I'M LUCKY.