Wine Outlook

While Jancis Robinson holds the place closest to my heart, Andrea Immer is another legendary woman in wine. Her Great Wine Made Simple is one of those wine books gets on lists and shelves, most likely because it helps make the mystique less mysterious.

However, I’d like to recommend Andrea Immer’s Wine Buying Guide for Everyone.

Not only is it compact enough to fit in a purse or even a back pocket, but you will want to put it in one of those places. You’re going to want to take it with you, whether you’re going out to eat or to the store to pick out a bottle for dinner or a gift.

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If you live in California, you are probably familiar with Beverages and More, or Bevmo as it’s more commonly called. This is especially true when, like me, you are on a budget. Not only does Bevmo have a wide selection, but there’s almost always a sale going on (get the second bottle for 5 cents, for example).

Another reason to appreciate Bevmo is the friendly staff. Most are very enthusiastic. When I was pouring one evening, I believe in Santa Clara, one of the workers proudly told me he had built the tasting bar himself out of wooden wine boxes.

But I have to say the most fervent display of enthusiasm has to come from John Ignowski. He takes care of things over in Mountain View. Not only is he knowledgeable, but his excitement is contagious. When I was pouring at a Santa Cruz Mountains tasting, he was telling everyone how thrilled he was to get in the Martella ‘Hammer’ Syrah, made by Fogarty’s winemaker. When I met John again at a trade tasting, I was reminded how nice he was.

So, if you have questions or need a good deal on wine, head to Bevmo. If you’re lucky, you might be able to taste some wines for a mere quarter.

I’ll be pouring at the one in Mountain View Nov.17 & Dec.15 and in Sunnyvale Nov. 10 & Dec.22 (all from 4 to 7). Come on by and see me!

Bevmo website

Bevmo, Beverages and More

If you haven’t heard of Jancis Robinson, you’ve been missing quite a treat. She is my favorite wine authority—for her wit, wisdom, style, as well as her spitting ability. As a Master of Wine and editor of the Oxford Companion to Wine, she definitely established herself as an expert. However, it’s her personality that makes her so endearing.

While some wine specialists put on airs and attempt to intimidate others, Jancis makes wine approachable. She never proposes that she knows everything about the subject but is always willing to share what she does.

Whether you’re just starting out on the wine track or a seasoned veteran, you can learn from Jancis Robinson’s Wine Tasting Workbook and use that knowledge to impress your friends at tastings. On the other hand, if you don’t feel like reading an entire book on wine, check out Jancis Robinson’s Wine Course from BBC, available through Netflix. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her traipse through different wine countries, especially when getting a French winemaker riled about Australian Chardonnay.

I think I need to revisit the DVD myself…just put it at the top of my queue.

Here is her website: http://www.jancisrobinson.com/

Jancis Robinson, wine expert, Oxford Companion to Wine

Just wanted to start with some credentials and an explanation as to why I am so into wine….

Back home, I got into it working at a restaurant that won the Wine Spectator award year after year. (If you happen to pass through Jackson, MS, scoot over to Highland Village and eat at Bravo—I highly recommend the smoked salmon pizza with a glass of sparkling or penne with beef tenderloin paired with a nice Pinot Noir). With a great wine list and generous discount, I’d go there often and have a bottle with friends. It became a game to see what kind of dent I could make. A fairly large one, I found.

Several years and wine books later, I decided I wanted a job in the business. With my introductory sommelier test behind me and a few articles for Jackson publications, I charmed my way into the Thomas Fogarty tasting room. There I pour wine, sell it, sometimes help bottle it, pick the grapes, write the tasting menu, edit and write for the newsletter, and pretty much everything that is needed. No job too big or small.

And just the other day I realized that a large portion of my income is spent on wine. I have amassed quite a collection, considering my budget. For a girl who used to spend more on shoes and clothes, my wardrobe has definitely suffered consequently. Yet every time I bring another bottle (or four) home, I tell myself—it’s all in the name of research. Right?

Bravo, Thomas Fogarty