Articles about Champagne is the new Chardonnay

Jolie/Pitt Miraval Rose is Hot Ticket at Sigel’s in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | May 16th, 2013 2:26pm | filed under Celebrity Diners, Champagne is the new Chardonnay, Uncategorized | Be The First To Comment
The winemakers.

The winemakers.

I don’t understand the appeal of celebrity wine but I’m, once again, in the minority. A couple of days ago Jasper Russo of Sigel’s sent word that the store had a limited supply of Miraval Cotes de Provence Rose 2012 bottled by Jolie-Pitt & Perrin. He writes:

Do you love rosé wine? Do you love Brad Pitt? Do you love Angelina Jolie? Do you love ALL THREE of those things at the same time? If so, you can be among the few lucky people to purchase the first release from Ch Miraval. The wine is from the French vineyard owned by the famous couple, who partnered with Marc Perrin, of Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, to create the label. Grown at an altitude of 350 meters in clay and chalk soils, the vines are cultivated 100% organically, without the use of herbicides, pesticides or chemicals.

Somebody in the United Arab Emirates loves all three. They contacted Russo and asked him to ship his whole inventory ASAP. The cost of shipping one 44-pound case which retails for $240 would be $650. However, Russo doesn’t have access to the federal customs paperwork necessary to complete the transaction so the order was declined. Russo is down to three cases at the Greenville Avenue store only. And it’s on sale for $19.99 (reg. $24.99). 5757 Greenville Ave. 214-739-4012.

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The Refrigerator Challenge: Top Chef Season 10 Contestant John Tesar

posted by Nancy Nichols | November 6th, 2012 10:25am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Champagne is the new Chardonnay, Openings/Closings, Restaurant News, Top Chef Season 10 | 2 Comments »

Whoa! Call a body language expert! Tesar is trying to tell us something!

The premiere of Top Chef’s tenth season airs Wednesday night on Bravo at 9PM. Dallas has three (out of 21) contestants on the show: Danyele McPherson (The Grape), John Tesar (Spoon), and Joshua Valentine (FT 33).

I’ve asked all three chefs to send me photos of their refrigerators and answer a questionnaire about their food-storing habits. Yesterday, Danyele McPherson filed her report. Today, John Tesar took time from his busy 48/7-schedule to provide a brief look into his unique fridge. Tesar’s new restaurant, Spoon Bar & Kitchen is opening in a few days.

Jump for the joy of John. He must have zucchini, Champagne, and baby toys.

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Don’t Eat This Now: Drunk Bread at Max’s Wine Dive

posted by Nancy Nichols | September 19th, 2012 9:00am | filed under Champagne is the new Chardonnay, Cult Cuisine, Food Crime, Junk Food, Not-so-skinny bitches, questionable behavior, Wasted Calorie | 6 Comments »

Triple major gross misconduct penalty for this dish.

I was excited to try Max’s Wine Dine. I love Champagne and fried chicken. Been pairing them together since college. Monday night I unofficially dined at Max’s with some dear friends. Good News: The Henri Billiot Brut Rose Champagne was a lovely way to end a day. Bad News: The pan borracho (“drunk bread) is a disgusting mess of torn sourdough bread, prosciutto, and thyme soaked in a savory white wine custard and baked with Gruyere, provolone, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. It, unlike the fried chicken, is not meant to be paired with Champagne. This dish is a culinary crime and felony charges ought to be filed. Can I get a witness.

Hey, wanna play a guessing game? Go below.

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Report From TexSom 2012: Ryan Tedder of FT33 Named Texas’ Best Sommelier

posted by Nancy Nichols | August 14th, 2012 8:44am | filed under Champagne is the new Chardonnay, mob scenes, TexSom 2012, youthful spontaneous restaurants | 2 Comments »

Ryan Tedder (center with big bottle of wine) is named Texas' Best Sommlier. Group hug flanked by Drew Hendrick's (left) and James Tidwell (right). Geoff Kruth, MS from the Guild of Sommeliers andFred Dame, MS with the Guild.Not a mixologist in the room.

The Texas Sommelier Association’s 8th annual international wine conference at Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas ended last night. The closing ceremonies included the announcement that Ryan Tedder of FT33 Restaurant in Dallas is Texas’ Best Sommelier. The Texas’ Best Sommelier Competitions is run behind the scenes  during the two-day conference organized by co-founders and Master Sommeliers Drew Hendricks and James Tidwell.

While wine experts gather for seminars on wide-ranging topics on wine, twenty-two sommeliers compete in a rigorous three-part wine examination involving service, blind tasting, and theory. The winner is picked by an elite panel of Master Sommelier judges.

Last night Ryan Tedder was the winning sommelier. Tedder has sniffed and swirled at Stephan Pyles and most recently Grace in Fort Worth. Tedder has joined Matt McCallister’s merry band of forward-thinking culinary rebels gathered together to open FT33 in the Design District this fall. Tedder received a scholarship of $2,500 from the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation to be used for a Court of Master Sommeliers certification program. David Keck of Uchi Restaurant Group in Houston was the second runner up and will receive a $1,500 scholarship from the Guild, and the 3rd place winner Steve Murphey of Mid-Stage Wine & Liquor in Plano will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Additionally, the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California will be offering scholarships to all three top placers.

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Max’s Wine Dive in Dallas Hires Wine Guy Paul Pinnell

posted by Nancy Nichols | August 10th, 2012 10:21am | filed under Champagne is the new Chardonnay, grand opening, Openings/Closings, Restaurant News | 6 Comments »

Photo of Paul Pinnell from Max's Facebook page.

Houston-based Max’s Wine Dive is getting ready to open in the old Border’s building on McKinney Avenue in mid-September. The Houston-based mini-chain has restaurants in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. It sounds like a good idea for the times: good wine and low prices paired with easy-to-eat-and-pay-for food. There Their slogan is fried chicken and Champagne which works for me. Last night I was shocked to find Paul Pinnell’s mugshot on Max’s Facebook page. They’ve hired him to be their General Manager. Pinnell was last seen locking the doors to his tony spot Dali Wine Bar in One Arts Plaza. He disappeared from Dallas and moved to New Orleans where he worked at The Rib Room. I’ve sent an email to catch up with the talented and dapper wine buff who once ruled the roost at Nana. Welcome back, Paul. Now pop open the Champagne and that restaurant.

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