Erich M.

Manager

My favorite wine characteristics: My favorite wine characteristics are purity, freshness, elegance and delineation. I love wines whose aromas and flavors reveal themselves in individual layers. To me, the greatest wines strike a balance between fresh, vibrant fruit with delicate floral nuances and underlying power, muscle and minerality. My favorite types of wine: My favorite types of wine are typically European. For reds I especially love Tuscan Sangiovese (quite possibly the world’s best food wine), as well as a good Barbera or Dolcetto. Ripasso Valpolicella also makes a tremendously reliable and versatile food wine. There are great French wines from all regions, although I tend to gravitate towards Burgundy and Bordeaux. However, the biggest bang for your buck these days are Spanish wines, from any region. For whites, I love Italy’s offerings, which are unfortunately often overlooked, especially whites from Southern Italy such as Falanghina, Greco and Gavi and also Soave from the north of Italy. Also, I love white Burgundies and Loire Valley whites, such as Savennieres. I also have a penchant for bone-dry sparkling wines. My favorite wine experience: Although touring Italy and California has provided me with some very memorable wine experiences, what I value the most are times spent with close friends and family, sharing food and fine wine. I enjoy the challenge of pairing wines with food… and the sheer enjoyment of getting it right. Each new wine is a discovery and every meal a learning experience.

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