NFL Star Beats Actors & Snoop Dogg in Celebrity Wine Battle
Posted on by Mark Oldman

snoop wine

He may be one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, but Charles Woodson’s wine was playing offense in my latest celebrity wine competition, the “Celebrity War of the Red Wines”.

Woodson’s Intercept Pinot Noir had all the right moves with 32% of the total votes, while the Washington State red blend from actor Kyle MacLachlan, best known for his roles in Twin Peaks and Sex in the City, scored a strong 21% of the votes. Snoop Dogg’s 19 Crimes “Cal Red” avoided the dog house by retaining a place in the middle of the pack (16%)

With 296 households logged in via Zoom, I instructed the group on how to evaluate red wine and then presented the six contenders. Participants voted through Zoom’s online polling system, with the following results for favorite wine:

1] Intercept Pinot Noir 2017 (Charles Woodson) (32%) winner

2] Pursued by Bear “Bear Cub” Red Blend 2016 (Kyle MacLachlan) (21%)

3] 19 Crimes Snoop Cali Red 2019 (Snoop Dogg) (16%)

4] 7 Cellars “The Farm” Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2018 (John Elway) (11%)

6] tie) Wade Cellars Three By Wade Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Dwayne Wade) (10%)

6] tie) Vanderpump Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (Lisa Vanderpump) (10%)

…

The results for best label/packaging are as follows:

1] Pursued by Bear “Bear Cub” Red Blend 2016 (Kyle MacLachlan) (35%) winner

2] tie) Intercept Pinot Noir 2017 (Charles Woodson) (24%)

2] tie) 19 Crimes Snoop Cali Red 2019 (Snoop Dogg) (24%)

4] Wade Cellars Three By Wade Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (Dwayne Wade) (11%)

5] 7 Cellars “The Farm” Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2018 (John Elway) (4%)

6] Vanderpump Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (Lisa Vanderpump) (2%)

The next celebrity wine competition happens December 9th, the Celebrity War of the Luxury Red Wines, with luxury-level bottles from Ayesha Curry, Kurt Russell, Josh Groban, Sting, John Legend, and Yao Ming.

Don’t miss my two other free virtual wine experiences coming up soon:

  • “Secrets of Napa Legend: Celebrating 50 Years of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars with Winemaker Marcus Notaro”
  • “Big Little Lies: Magical Monterey”

All of these virtual wine tastings are FREE to those who register.

Wine for Your Bang Bang | Oldman’s Wine for Your Bunker #5 | Big Table Farm Pinot Noir
Posted on by Mark Oldman

Beware the bang bang. In this new “Wine for Your Bunker,” I cover one of the greatest hazards ⚠️ of self-isolation, and how to offset it. Featuring the lithe, red-fruited, complex Big Table Farm Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2018 (Oregon, $42).

 

Joe's Pizza, the bang bang
The iconic Joe’s Pizza.

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.

What Wine to Pair with Spicy Food
Posted on by Mark Oldman

ben-stiller

Don’t feel bottled in by the notion that spicy food only pairs with beer. While you may think it’s near impossible to find a white or red wine to drink with that beef vindaloo you’ve just ordered, here’s some sage spice advice.

Whites with a bit of sweetness such as Riesling or Chenin Blanc are ideal to cool down the scorches of a chili-laden curry or Szechuan beef, much like a sweet mango lassi quenching spicy samosas or a frozen margarita taming the heat of a piquant salsa. White wine with spice is a good choice except when the wine is excessively oaky, as with some Chardonnay, or has relatively high alcohol content, as in many Gewürtztraminer.

For those who prefer reds, there is magic to behold when you choose a lighter-bodied, amply fruity, low-tannin red such as Beaujolais, or even a Pinot Noir. When chilled and willing, these lighter reds can provide just as much relief as any of the firefighting whites. Avoid tannic, gum-drying reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah as they can intensify the sensations of heat in your mouth.

Rosé is a perfect match for a Thai red curry, or basil and chili chicken, with comparable powers of refreshment as a Beaujolais.

And one of my all-time favorite choices is bubbly (throughout the entire meal). With its coldness and restrained alcohol content, a bottle of Prosecco or Cremant is a spritely and soothing addition to any spicy meal.

For a full list of wines to pair with spicy food, check out my book, How to Drink Like a Billionaire (Regan Arts).

Visiting Sonoma’s Siduri
Posted on by Mark Oldman

Image result for siduri vineyard

 

On a recent trip to Sonoma, California, I had the chance to stop by Siduri Vineyards.

Nuggets to know:

1) Siduri makes outstanding single-vineyard Pinot Noir, much of which is rendered in a ultra-ripe, high-alcohol, Californian style (as opposed to a more delicate Burgundian style).  They don’t grow their own grapes but source them from vineyards as north as Oregon’s Willamette Valley and as south as Santa Barbara’s Santa Rita Hills.

2) Visiting Siduri’s production facility is a singular experience.  Secreted away in an industrial park in the humble town of Santa Rosa, the warehouse-like setting is the furthest you can get from an idyllic vineyard – and that’s what makes it such a kick to visit.  Visits by appointment only.