Kate Moss Glass | Oldman’s Wine for Your Bunker #17 | Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2007
Posted on by Mark Oldman

The Kate Moss glass is a rare and special vessel, and Mark uses it to celebrate progress on flattening the curve. What does one sip from a supermodel’s left breast? Italy’s best sparkling wine:  Ferrari Trento “Giulio Ferrari” Riserva del Fondatore 2007 (Trento DOC, Italy, $120).

Kate Moss Coupe  

https://youtu.be/phafasnv9W4

The Return of Wine & Prime with Amazon Video!
Posted on by Mark Oldman

The only thing better than watching the most binge-worthy series is knowing which wine to pair with them. Thus we have the return of Wine & Prime, which was so successful last year that I have partnered again with the Amazon and the LA Times to bring you this unique wine tasting event.

Join me on April 25 as I pair the most binge-worthy Amazon Prime Video Series with the ideal wines.  The Wine & Prime event is at 7pm at the palatial, historical Hollywood Athletic Club. I clue you into what you need to know about each wine and why it is such a good match with each Amazon Video series. Find out the which wine is the perfect pairing with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Homecoming, Good Omens, Hanna, Jack Ryan, The Romanoffs, and more.

After my Wine & Prime lesson, you will  have the opportunity to taste the wines I recommend while wandering through an astonishing assortment of interactive activations, each of which will take you deeper into an Amazon Original Series and provide insight into why it is so binge-worthy.

The Wine & Prime event is free and uniquely fun, but RSVP now as space is limited and first come first serve, for a one of a kind wine tasting & experience✨. To RSVP please visit this page.

Williams-Sonoma Test Kitchen is the Perfect Place to Teach Champagne Sabering
Posted on by Mark Oldman

For a Facebook Live event with Williams-Sonoma last week, Mark Oldman teaches Amanda Haas, Williams-Sonoma’s Director of Culinary, how to saber a bottle of champagne like a total pro. Located at the Williams-Sonoma test kitchen in Northern California, the beautiful space offered the perfect setting for a little saber-training session.  You’ve got to see the video to believe it – Amanda is a natural!

Missed the Live video? You can still get your wine questions answered by leaving a comment!

Williams-Sonoma sabering wine mark oldman

Prosecco and Champagne’s Other Bubbly Stunt Double
Posted on by Mark Oldman

Cava is Champagne's Alter-EgoJust as Hollywood stars have doubles, so does Champagne. And one of the best bubbly stunt doubles is Spanish Cava.

The less expensive Spanish sparkler is a delicious alternative to France’s hero. Look for the coal-black bottle at your liquor store or supermarket, with labels expounding names like the ubiquitous Freixenet (Fresh-shun-NETT) Cordon Negro Cava, Cristalino Brut, Paul Cheneau, Brut Blanc de Blancs, Sumarocca Brut Reserva, Segura Viudas Aria Brut.

Cava, the Spanish name for sparkling wine, delivers bubbles at less than half the price of French Champagne. Though it’s made in the traditional bottle-fermentation method like Champagne (and finer American sparklers), it spends less time aging on its lees (i.e., dead yeast cells) than Champagne, which gives it less of a yeasty, baked-bread bouquet and more minerals, earth, and mushrooms. The use of lesser-known Spanish grapes helps keep prices down, but not quality.

Cava is a truly unique experience, just as stylish and celebratory as Champagne and Prosecco. Think of it as the mysterious cousin from out of town–the femme fatale of sparklers.  Many are under $10. For an affordable gift with serious bling-bling, track down Segura Viudas Reserva Heredad ($20), a hand-blown bottle tricked out with a silvery metal crest and coaster. Salud!

For a full list of alternatives to Champagne, check out my latest book,How to Drink Like a Billionaire (Regan Arts), and remember to drink bravely, drink richly, and #DrinkLikeABillionaire.

You’ve Been Opening Champagne the Wrong Way…Forever
Posted on by Mark Oldman

adobe-spark-3What is it about opening a bottle of bubbly that channels the savage beast? Some see a mini howitzer in every Champagne bottle, forever aiming the cork at the nearest chandelier. Others want to shake and spray their bottles without any thought to wasting this golden elixir. It’s time to mute the mayhem and open bubbly with the safety and style that this supernal beverage deserves. Follow my six steps to siphoning that cork from the bottle without losing one fermented drop.

  1. CHILL – Coldness minimizes the pressure in the bottle so make sure it’s super cold.
  2. PROTECT – Always point the bottle in a safe direction and keep a thumb over it during the entire opening process.
  3. STRIP – Peel the foil and unwrap the wire cage covering the cork, sliding it off with your thumb still at the ready.
  4. COVER – Slip a towel or cloth napkin over the bottle’s neck. This will help you grip the cork and catch it in the event of a premature eruption.
  5. TURN – Holding the bottle at a slight angle, grip the cork firmly through the towel. Then, with your other hand, turn the base of the bottle slowly in one direction.
  6. PUFF – Your cork will “puff” open, preventing spillage and any midnight trips to the emergency room.

Now that you’re equipped with a foolproof method for popping a celebratory bottle, check out my latest book and find alternatives to Champagne for your next occasion in How to Drink Like a Billionaire (Regan Arts).