Wine Down

Meet the Tastemakers: Austin’s top sommeliers share inspiration and favorite wines for celebrations

By Matt McGinnis

04.08.13 | 11:45 am

Just as a winemaker has to combine an artful flair with precise chemistry to make fine wine, a sommelier needs to combine a skillful touch with customer service and deep wine knowledge to master th ...

taste test

Austin’s top sommeliers test skills in Somms Under Fire food and wine pairing competition

By Matt McGinnis

01.23.13 | 11:21 am

Imagine staring at a menu that lists an entrée of roast lamb served with artichokes, goat cheese and cinnamon spiced spinach. Your job is to match the perfect wine that will accentuate the f ...

Sensational Sommelier

Wine & Spirits Magazine names Chris McFall of Paggi House one of America's Best New Sommeliers

By Jessica Dupuy

09.28.12 | 9:54 am

To be a good sommelier, you have to have a certain charisma... just knowing a lot about wine isn’t going to cut it. And though it helps to have your arsenal of wine keys, service towels, a no ...

get tipsy

How to romance your date on Valentine’s Day with the right wine

By Matt McGinnis

02.13.12 | 11:00 am

Everybody wants to get laid, and Valentine’s Day is either a blessing or a curse when it comes to the pursuit of nook-nook. It’s potentially an excuse to have hot monkey sex with your p ...

drink up

"Récoltant-Manipulant" Champagne earns a reputation around town (and its own hashtag)

By Rob Moshein

12.31.11 | 2:55 pm

Quick, answer this question: who produces Champagne in France?  I am certain you answered with at least one of the following names: Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Mumm's, Taittin ...

A Traditional Dickens Dinner at the Driskill Grill

The Driskill Hotel

12.08.11

Feast on this five-course award-winning cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Jonathan Gelman, with wine pairings selected by Scott Ota. You'll savor a fare crafted with the movie A Christmas

local flavor for less

Put to the test: Are Texas wines really competitive values?

By Rob Moshein

11.20.11 | 5:05 pm

I held a double blind tasting recently. Ostensibly, the panel was told I was researching "value for the price point" and that they would only know the varietal or blend and the cost. I se ...

Big Reds and Bubbles

The holidays are upon us: A fantastic kickoff with Big Reds & Bubbles

By Matt McGinnis

11.18.11 | 1:28 pm

You know what makes a kick-ass party? A soirée where you are greeted by a gorgeous lady dressed in an elaborate champagne-laden dress. A bash attended by lots of happy people in festive clot ...

The Austin Wine Guy

Wine lists in Austin: Status sublime

By Rob Moshein

10.05.11 | 2:30 pm

Everybody and their brother is reviewing restaurants these days, and it’s all about the food. Cocktail culture is “de rigueur.” The poor wine list is barely mentioned. T ...