The (rare) positive dining experience
Have you ever had a meal so good that you didn't want it to end? Honestly, it's been a while because recently when I dine out, I unfortunately have experiences like Keith Lee in Atlanta.
Not this week, though. I went to the Baltimore stop of the "When We Gather" tour hosted by George Walker of Wade Cellars at Off the Rox shop in Baltimore. Everything the night was pure magic. What stood out to me was the sheer excellence executed by Black men.
I came to know George from my time living on the West Coast. He is the real deal! George has become the face of Wade Cellars and is doing phenomenal work in the industry. I'm truly proud to know him.
Off the Rox, located in the Highlandtown neighborhood in Baltimore, is owned by a lovely husband and wife duo, Ty and Jeryl Cole. Jeryl was born and raised in Baltimore, and his love and passion for the city of Baltimore and for wine are palpable. Wine Enthusiast asked me to share one of my favorite shops, I didn’t hesitate to mention this gem.
Now, let's talk about the food, y'all. I was absolutely blown away by Chef Sean Guy of Water for Chocolate. As a native Jamaican, his food is a creative take on Caribbean cuisine. I took one bite of the Jerk duck confit, and my taste buds exploded. The flavors were dynamic and gave me a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time. It paired well with the 2020 Wade & Wayfarer Pinot Noir. Another standout dish was the charred octopus with caviar paired with the classic 2021 Wade Cellars Chenin Blanc. My favorite wine of the night was the Sonoma County Syrah. It was warm and spicy, the perfect accompaniment to the chilly, albeit beautiful night in Baltimore. (Sadly, not available for sale.)
Needless to say, Water for Chocolate has been added to my list of restaurants I need to try in Baltimore
On wine etiquette:
I jokingly posted a story on IG this week of my mom drinking red wine with ice and holding the wine glass by the bowl. Growing up, my mom was never a big wine drinker, but it's been fun watching her palate expand. She recently fell in love with Barbera d’Asti, and she's a loyal member of the Cooper's Hawk wine club. But no matter what, she's going to put ice in her wine and frown at any wine that tastes too dry.
A lot of people think that wine etiquette is all BS, and I can see why one might get that vibe, especially when the person schooling you is preachy and pretentious. My goal is always to make wine approachable and to encourage you to drink what you like and how you like.
In my personal wine experience, I can be particular about how I enjoy my wine. I'm always going to remove the foil before pouring and use a wine key over the butterfly opener, lol.
Gone are the days of slapping the bag and overindulging in wine. Even if I wanted to (and sometimes do), it takes a week for me to recover. As a wine professional, but more importantly, someone who is passionate about exploring wine for personal enjoyment, wine is more about the full experience - from researching the bottle to locating it in a cool shop, down to pairing it with the perfect dish (and company).
I've had the privilege of traveling the world and seeing how much love, money, skill, and energy go into a bottle from vineyard to bottle.
When I talk about things like removing the foil, drinking wine at the perfect temperature, and being thoughtful about glassware, it's really not about etiquette just for the sake of etiquette. It's about appreciating art and giving each wine the opportunity to shine in its best light.
When I geek out about the vineyard that a wine comes from or the particulars about a certain vintage, it's about honoring Mother Nature and the hands that made it possible to produce each bottle.
Remember always to embrace your own unique wine journey and savor the experience in your own way.
Wine Business Monthly - 2023 Industry Leaders
This week, I was featured in Wine Business Monthly as a 2023 Wine Industry Leader. This came as a total surprise, but it's such an honor for my work to be recognized along with so many other amazing wine professionals. It's always a "pinch me" moment when things like this happen. Little ol' me, who took a leap of faith and transitioned to the wine industry with no experience, built a platform and community and started a business. Let this be your reminder to dream big. Check out the full issue here.
What I'm reading:
I just started reading "It's Not All Downhill From Here" by Terry McMillan. One of my core memories is going to a book signing for McMillan’s "A Day Late and a Dollar Short" in '02 with my aunt. How am I now an adult reading books by authors that my elders loved? Reading it feels like talking to your cool elders who have lived life, have stories to tell, and despite aging are still seeking thrills in life. I imagine that's how I'll be when I grow up. I hope to never lose the curiosity for the world or the desire for deep connections and community.
Sip with you soon,
Desiree
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Looks like a fabulous time! I've seen George on SOMM TV, and he seems like a great guy. I'm a fan of Wade Cellars Tre'