Lilacs are in bloom. Need I say more? We are in that special window of time in Minnesota where the blossoms are drawing the bees, and wandering through the neighborhood the explosion of floral aromas makes me giddy. I’ve found myself looking over State Park maps, plotting camping trips. Cleaning up the canoe and camping […]
Every quarter Cotroneo’s Wine and Spirits in White Bear Lake is kind enough to let me take over a section of the store. This set up is called, creatively, “Jason’s Picks” (I came up with that one) and consists of ten wines that I select around a particular theme. We kick off the quarter with […]
I need to let you know about one of the great wine bargains in the city which will be happening through the month of April 2018. Let me break this down to the place, the situation, the new sommelier, the new chef, and the amazing current deals on wine. The Place: NineTwentyFive Restaurant at Hotel […]
Bargain eats for wine lovers can be tough to find, especially in the high tax district of downtown Minneapolis. More often than not a quick bite and a glass turns into sticker shock once it adds up. I remember clearly stepping into a beloved local institution of a restaurant off Marquette Avenue, determined to have […]
For me, this is what the wine industry is all about. Mid Summer, 1995: The Mall of America had been open for three years, and the hottest restaurant in the Mall was California Cafe. I was there waiting tables, scrapping together every bit of money I could while attending the University of Minnesota. I didn’t […]
We live in an amazing state when it comes to wine, and I have a prediction that will help prove this declaration. I’ll bet you’ve never before seen the Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône, pictured here. It recently landed in Minnesota for the first time. It has some presence on the east coast, but none in our […]
Welcome new readers who found me through the Terroirist’s daily email! I focus on events, tastings, and goings-on in the Twin Cities area, but if you want to read more of my “for the rest of the world” stuff check out the Vino Manifesto and my work at The Wine Company’s blog. **** What is the […]
