So much fun for me to get to pour at this year’s Slow Wine Guide U.S. tour yesterday in NYC!

I worked on the guide for three years as part of editor-in-chief Giancarlo Gariglio’s project to expand the guide to include coverage of U.S. wine. It was a great experience and he and I became close friends along the way. It was wonderful to see so many of my colleagues and I’m looking forward to presenting my Abruzzo seminar tomorrow in Austin and then next Monday in Denver.

There’s also an Abruzzo trade/media dinner that I’ll be presenting in Denver. There are still a few spots available. Hit me up if you’d like to attend.

The Italian wine world may be in crisis. But you wouldn’t have known that gauging the size and enthusiasm of the crowd yesterday!

It was also lovely to catch up with NYC wine friends I missed when I was in town a few weeks prior.

New York City has changed a lot over the last few years. And the restaurant and wine scene there has been impacted by industry trends (higher costs, waning interest, staffing shortages, etc.).

But for those who long for the “pre-Giuliani” City with a capital C, I highly recommend Keen’s steakhouse in midtown. It still retains that “old New York” feel and the food and wine list are top. I actually had a proper dinner with a bandmate there a few weeks ago. And yesterday, I stopped in the bar for a dry-aged steak sandwich before I got on the train to the airport. Delicious.

Being on the road with Slow Wine reminds me of touring with the band back in the day. Wish me luck and wish me speed as I light out for Austin this afternoon. We’ll be doing a ‘cue and honky tonk crawl tonight. Hit me up.

Houston folks:

I’ll be leading a complimentary tasting of two wines and a vermouth from the new Nizza DOCG at Vinsanto on Wednesday, March 27.

The winery I’ll be pouring and talking about is my client Amistà. But I’ll also be talking in general about Nizza and why it’s an appellation that you’re going to be hearing more about in coming years. 

Riccardo has graciously made 12 spots available for this complimentary tasting. And the classic Nizza by Amistà will be available for purchase that evening with a discount. 

And following our 45-minute tasting, we’ll all just hang out and open some bottles together. I know Riccardo is excited to host you. 

Amistà Nizza Tasting
Wednesday, March 27
Vinsanto (Memorial Green)
7:00 p.m.
complimentary

Please send me an email or DM me to reserve your spot.

I know it’s going to be a super fun evening and I look forward to reconnecting with you! Thanks, as always, for the support. Hope to see you then.