Wine Education
FASCINATING PEOPLE IN THE WORLD OF FOOD AND WINE
NAPA VALLEY, CALIF., APRIL 24, 2018 – James Beard Award-winning Napa Valley vintner Doug Shafer, long-time insider in the world of food and wine, has launched a new podcast series, “The Taste with Doug Shafer.” The podcast launches with three episodes featuring entertaining, informal conversations with James Beard Award-winning chef Cindy Pawlcyn whose background […]
WINE GRAPE HARVEST BEGINS IN SICILY AT TASCA D’ALMERITA
The 2017 vendemmia began on Tasca d’Almerita’s two seaside wine estates From Tasca d’Almerita: The varied climate of the Sicilian ‘continent’ means that our harvesting period lasts around 90 days. The indigenous grape varietals of Grillo and Malvasia delle Lipari in the islands of Mozia and Salina are some of the first to be harvested. […]
A NATURAL RENAISSANCE – THE WORLD EMBRACES CORK CLOSURES
Check out my recent technical article in The SOMM Journal, August/September 2017 “One of the best efforts I have ever seen.” A Wine Editor “Best article in the magazine.” Another Wine Editor Catherine Fallis MS, Planet Grape LLC
DRY CREEK VINEYARD CELEBRATES 45 YEARS
This message is from Kim Stare Wallace, President, Dry Creek Vineyard, Sonoma, California Today marks our 45th anniversary! On August 24, 1972 my father, David Stare, received the use permit to open the first winery in Dry Creek Valley since Prohibition was repealed. Since that day, we have been committed to producing 90+ point, […]
NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS WINE STYLE ON FRONT LABEL
Notable Wines aims to take the mystery out of wine shopping. This spring they launched two Chardonnays, a “Fruity & Crisp” Chardonnay from Australia, and an “Oaky & Buttery” Chardonnay from California, both at $14.99. I was just commenting to a colleague that we often find ourselves observing then rescuing folks in the wine aisle trying […]
NO MORE GEEK SPEAK
February/March 2017 The SOMM Journal planet grape by Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis FOR SOMMS ON THE FLOOR, HOSPITALITY COMES FIRST Food servers have it down to an art, whether by training, instinct or experience. No server would earn big bucks by selling the restaurant’s food with ego-infused technical geek speak. Beyond that, no chef would […]
PROSECCO DOC MOVES TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY
Press Release PROSECCO DOC MOVES TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY The denomination is making important steps in its commitment to a healthy environment For years, the debate on sustainability and its various meanings has become an unavoidable topic of discussion in the world of agriculture at every level, from local to international, from producer to consumer. Clear, consistent, […]
TOP 7 CHAMPAGNES HOUSES SELECTED BY LES REVUES DE VINS DE FRANCE
Last weekend I selected Champagne Pol Roger for the Bubbles Bar at a huge Tech party in San Francisco, where we also built and filled a Champagne Tower! Pol Roger is an iconic house that has maintained a level of quality that very few have. Pol Roger retained 3 stars by Le Revue Des Vins de France […]
A NEW D.O.C. IS BORN: FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA D.O.C.
ENHANCING THE IDENTITY OF THE TERROIR THE FIRST BOTTLES OF THE NEW DENOMINATION WILL HIT THE SHELVES IN 2017 D.O.C. – F.V.G. Consortium Press ReleaseA long journey that began with plans, ideas and hopes, which lasted several decades, has finally culminated in July with the creation of Friuli Venezia Giulia D.O.C. The first bottles […]
SUNNY HOLIDAY CHEER
It’s here! Holiday shopping, festive parties, and the time of year to rock the ugliest sweaters ever made. I have selected some of my personal favorites wines and spirits of 2016 to assist you with your holiday beverages and up your game. These are all value-priced and easy to find online @drync or @eBay wines, or at your […]
GAME ON – TWO WINES FOR TURKEY DAY
What wines go with Turkey? That also pair nicely with all the sides? Now that is a bit complicated. So why don’t we reverse engineer this scenario and start with, what will my friends and family enjoy, that won’t steal the show or dent my budget? Check out this eclectic Italian duo. I recommend this […]
BONNY DOON VINEYARD PRESENTS ‘GRAPETIONARY A-Z’
Press Release Charles Communications Associates San Francisco Wednesday October 5, 2016 Taste 26 wines representing each letter of the alphabet from A-Z at Bonny Doon’s Popelouchum Estate Vineyard in San Juan Bautista Saturday, October 29, 2016 WHAT Swirl, Sniff, Savor. Repeat x 26. Bonny Doon proprietor Randall Grahm invites you to stroll […]
ORGANIC OLD VINE GRENACHE PLAYS A STARRING ROLE AT CHATEAU LA NERTHE
Kick starting the week was a delicious and informative tasting with Chateau la Nerthe Export Manager Christophe Bristiel and Pasternak Wine Imports West Division Manager Ben Cuaresma at the San Francisco home of Planet Grape Wine Review co-panelist Deborah Parker Wong. Christophe explained that Chateau la Nerthe owns Prieure de Montezargues and Domaine de la […]
MARLBOROUGH MOVES BEYOND SAUVIGNON BLANC
By Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis Last week the Planet Grape Wine Review team attended a tasting of New Zealand wines at 1760 in San Francisco hosted by Chuck Hayward with Marcel Giesen and Giesen’s Chief Winemaker Nikolai St. George. The title was “Searching for the Crus of Marlborough” and through four flights of wines it was clear that […]
MONTEPULCIANO THE GRAPE VS MONTEPULCIANO THE REGION
By Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis With so many clonal names like Brunello, Sangioveto and Prugnolo Gentile, in Italy, and around the world, Sangiovese is still Sangiovese. The grape is the grape. So wouldn’t it make sense that across to the Adriatic coast in Abruzzo, Montepulciano the grape would be the grape in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano back […]
24 0F 72 PASS ADVANCED SOMMELIER EXAM IN PHOENIX
After a grueling three days of exams, including a timed blind tasting of six wines, a practical tableside service exam with multiple tables to attend to, a Business of the Sommelier written exam and spirits tasting and finally a theory exam, 24 of 72 candidates made it through to become Advanced Sommeliers last night at […]
IF ONLY ADDS MASTER SOMMELIER CATHERINE FALLIS AS LUMINARY
IfOnly, a San Francisco start up founded by Trevor Traina, is a marketplace for incredible experiences. From unique everyday offerings with local experts to once-in-a-lifetime connections with lauded luminaries, IfOnly provides access to a curated selection of extraordinary experiences that benefit worthy causes around the world. Members enjoy amazing experiences that help them do […]
Women for WineSense Winemaking Roundtable Hosts Sommelier and Buyer Relations Expert Catherine Fallis, April 20th at Chimney Rock
NAPA, CALIFORNIA: The Napa | Sonoma chapter of Women for WineSense’s (WWS) Winemaking & Viticultural roundtable welcomes Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis, with a long industry history as a salesperson, sommelier, distributor, critic and supplier to discuss how winemakers and viticulturists can best relate to and communicate effectively with sommeliers and wine buyers. The roundtable […]
MASTER SOMMELIER CATHERINE FALLIS LAUNCHES WINE REVIEW
Prime Women, March 19, 2016 Food & Wine by Tricia Conover The First Women-Led Wine Rating Panel Aims to Take the Guesswork out of Wine Purchasing (KA-thuh-rin FAH-lis) Catherine Fallis, MS, the 5th woman in the world to be named a Master Sommelier, has launched a new women-led wine-rating panel. In a Q&A last […]
PLANET GRAPE WINE COURSE – Introduction to Wine
by Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis, aka grape goddess Introduction to Wine Welcome to the PLANET GRAPE WINE COURSE. In this introductory section, we’ll learn about senses and how to put them to use right away with Sensual Experience exercises, what grapes make the best wine, the best place to grow grapes, basic geography of […]
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