Wine & Food Pairing - deborahparkerwong

Justin Chin, general manager and wine director at The Happy Crane.

Justin Chin Taking Flight at The Happy Crane

February 2, 2026 deborahparkerwong The Tasting Panel, Restaurants, Sommeliers, Wine & Food Pairing

San Francisco native Justin Chin possesses an almost stubborn optimism
about the future of hospitality. As general manager and wine director of The Happy Crane in his hometown’s Hayes Valley neighborhood, he’s quietly shaping one of the city’s most innovative dining experiences.

Bottles of Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon.

Lower-alcohol Cabernet Sauvignon is back in fashion

July 26, 2024 deborahparkerwong Lower alcohol, Alexander Valley, SOMM Journal, Wine, Wine & Food Pairing, Wine Tasting, Winemaking

Interest in lower-acohol wines is growing among consumers putting producers like Jordan back in the limelight. “Our Bordeaux-style Cabernet and Burgundy-style Chardonnay wines . . . range between 12.6% and 13.8% [alcohol], compared to the California average of 14.5%,” says Jordan winemaker Maggie Kruse. “This represents far more than numbers; lower-alcohol wines have a more balanced flavor profile.”

Terra Madre Americas food conference to feature Slow Wine USA masterclasses

April 14, 2024 deborahparkerwong Slow Wine Guide USA, Slow Wine USA, Sustainability, Wine, Wine & Food Pairing, Wine Tasting

Visit Sacramento and Slow Food International will host Terra Madre Americas, the American version of the internationally acclaimed Terra Madre Salone del Gusto[…]

The New Gold Rush

July 8, 2022 deborahparkerwong Australia, Beaujolais, France, Italy, Restaurants, Sicily, Wine, Wine & Food Pairing

The San Francisco Bay Area has long been a destination for the wine world’s movers and shakers; you can read about those I meet in my new column, Date by the Gate. This cycle, winemakers and authors made their way to the the area with tastings and book signings that were nothing less than awe-inspiring.

A Milestone for Schug Carneros Estate

May 17, 2021 deborahparkerwong Carneros, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, SOMM Journal, Wine, Wine & Food Pairing, Winemaking

Walter Schug departed this world in 2015 but his passion for Pinot Noir lives on at Schug Carneros Estate which is celebrating 41 years of devotion to the variety. Axel and Claudia Schug, third generation winegrowers, were joined by chef Kristine Schug and winemaker Johannes Scheid as they presented a retrospective tasting that spanned the past, present and future of the Carneros estate winery.

The Pride of Piedmont

April 9, 2020 deborahparkerwong Italy, Piedmont, SOMM Journal, Wine, Wine & Food Pairing

In early February an unprecedented gathering of approximately 200 producers of Barolo and Barbaresco arrived in New York City to present their 2016 and 2017 vintages to the trade. They gathered at Center415 in midtown Manhattan for a walk around-tasting that ran for five hours; a boon for tasters who for once had time on our side.

Beyond the Bar: Wine country visits that take you beyond the tasting room

April 3, 2019 deborahparkerwong Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Carneros, Enotourism, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, Sonoma, Wine, Wine & Food Pairing

Gone are the days when wine tasting was synonymous with standing at a bar. Wineries are now offering tasting experiences that include such activities as hiking with your dog, appreciating a world-class sculpture garden and breathing through a yoga class. If you think a standard wine tasting at a bar sounds more like drudgery than a dream day, these four non-traditional wine tasting experiences are for you.