Moscato d’Asti and the Orange Bowl: Victory in the Glass and on the Field

While attending the 2011 Orange Bowl, Mark looks to Moscato d’Asti for a taste of victory and what he calls the “official dessert wine of those who don’t like dessert wine”.  Lightly sweet, gently bubbly, and low in alcohol, Moscato d’ Asti sets the right mood to watch Coach Jim Harbaugh, QB Andrew Luck, and the rest of the Stanford Cardinal triumph over Virginia Tech to cap a stunning 12-1 season.  Check out the video here.

moscato
Stanford’s phenomenal QB Andrew Luck

 

Brawn and Fun Combined in One: Petite Sirah

“Brawn and fun combined in one,” is how Mark Oldman describes both his orange muscle car (“El Tigre”) and the high-horsepower wine Petite Sirah, both bucking with intensity and Californian in origin.  Mark explains why Petite Sirah is perfect for winter months or whenever you “want a lot from your wine,” even if it’s a little John Mellencamp-style pain with your pleasure.  Take the video for a test drive here.

brawn

 

How to Avoid the Tibetan Mastiffs of Chardonnay

Mark Oldman visits “weird and wonderful” Portland, Oregon to discuss why Chardonnay need not always be the vinous equivalent of a Voodoo donut or a Tibetan Mastiff.  He recommends low/no oak Chardonnay, a crisp, vivacious style that is not saddled by oaky strangulations.  Watch here.

portland

 

Champagne tips: Forget the Flute, Swirl Bravely

With the holiday season upon us, Mark Oldman sits down for some Champagne tips with Dom Pérignon chief winemaker Richard Geoffrey to undercover two ways of drinking bravely with bubbly. According to Geoffrey, it is perfectly acceptable to drink Champagne and other sparklers from a regular wine glass (i.e., not always a flute-shaped glass) and to swirl it (gently) as you would non-bubbly wine to better appreciate its aromas.

champagne tips
The magical, roving Ruinart cart at Art Basel Miami 2010
Mark introduces the segment from Art Basel Miami 2010, where Champagne Ruinart had rolling Champagne carts circulating throughout the aisles of the show — an ingenious take on room service for the art set.
Click here to watch the video.