Browsing Tag

Domaine Chandon

Celebrity Chefs, Cocktail Recipes, Food + Recipes, Travel
Weekend in Napa: Bottega & Domaine Chandon

I’m tired of waiting for summer to start here in the part of the California Bay Area that includes San Francisco and Oakland. You’d be hard pressed to melt a Popsicle in this grey and chilly clime. So this weekend, I drove up to a place where it’s about 10 degrees warmer and the mood is always resort-y and light. I’m talking about the Napa Valley. As if you needed any enticement, here are a couple more great reasons to make the trip yourself. Bottega Napa Valley is the grand new restaurant by Michael Chiarello of NapaStyle fame. Located in the tony burg of Yountville — home of The French Laundry — it’s set in an imposing building with a two large outdoor fireplace on the wrap-around porch. Inside, we sat at a long rustic communal table flanked by buttery yellow chairs. When I opened the cocktail menu, I knew…
August 12, 2010
Sparkling Wine
Beautiful Bubbly: Images from Napa, Sonoma & Mendocino

I know the summer seems a very long way off right now. So just for fun, I created this slide show of some of the places and people I visited this summer on my Bubbly Bar book tour. Maybe these pictures of wineries in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino will inspire your summer vacation plans this year. Cheers!
February 16, 2010
Champagne, Drinks, Shopping, Sparkling Wine
10 Great Bubbly Bargains for New Year’s Eve – All Under $30

On the whole, I think 2009 will be remembered as the year of moderation. Nearly everyone is looking for ways to be smarter about how they spend their money. While champagne and sparkling wines seem like a luxury — and they are a luxurious experience — they don’t have to come with a high price tag. One of the most useful features of my book The Bubbly Bar is a guide to buying bubbly in every price range. Since I wrote the book, I’ve continued to discover affordable sparkling wines that are great for sipping alone or in cocktails. Here’s my list of bargain bubbly available nationwide for New Year’s Eve 2010. 1. Michel Dervin Brut Champagne – crafted by a small grower in Champagne, this is toasty just the way you want, about $29.99 2. Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut or Extra Dry – made just outside Seattle, these wines…
December 30, 2009
Bubbly Events
The Bubbly Bar Launch on NBC San Diego

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/video. I just got back from Chicago for some fun Bubbly Bar book tour events, but I’m still pinching myself when I think of the unbelievably huge turnout for the Bubbly Bar launch party in San Diego at the Hotel Solamar. Slow Food Urban San Diego hosted the party as one of their popular Metro Mixer series. I can’t wait for the next one! The crowd of more than 400 enjoyed three cocktails from the book – Lavender Tea, Tisana Punch and The Lava Lamp all made with seasonal ingredients and Domaine Chandon sparkling wine. I spent most of the party signing more than 200 books – not complaining I swear. But I wish I had been able to mingle more. In case you missed it, here’s a report by Jacques Spitzer of NBC San Diego.com.
October 5, 2009
Bubbly Events
The Bubbly Bar: A book launch and a sparkling sangria recipe

It’s hard to believe it’s finally happening, but after three years of work and waiting, my book “The Bubbly Bar: Champagne & Sparkling Wine Cocktails for Every Occasion” is on sale today!! It’s a beautiful, fun and useful book, filled with great classic and original drinks that mix international sparkling wines like brut champagne, prosecco, cava with fine spirits, seasonal fruits and herbs and homemade syrups. Plus there’s a great guide to visiting California sparkling wineries and buying great bubbly in any price range. But don’t take my word for it; Washington Post spirits writer Jason Wilson wrote a great review on it and San Francisco based cocktail expert Camper English is featuring a Bubbly Bar book give-away on Alcademics. In case you’re in San Diego on Wednesday Aug. 26, there’s a book launch party and farm-to-bar cocktails mixer hosted by Hotel Solamar and Slow Food Urban San Diego from…
August 24, 2009