"sommolier" news and stories

A vintner, or perhaps a devoted wine connoisseur, would recognize "Asprinio" as a type of white Italian grape that is primarily used in sparkling wines, although it is a fairly obscure type of grape. It you're not a member of this category, you probably recognize it as the last name of Stephen Asprinio, one of the members of the cast of the first season of Top Chef. He was one of the more colorful participants in the show, not only because of his standout designer suits, but because of his confidence and charm. Stephen was, even when he first entered the public eye, a man with a plan. He didn't win the show, but that didn't stop him from going forward with his plan to change the face of dining in America by becoming a restaurateur.

I had a chance to sit down with Stephen this week to find out exactly what he has been up to since the show ended and what he is planning for the future. Currently, he has two projects approaching completion, one on each coast. The first is called Tastevin and it is a concept wine boutique aimed at 20-somethings who are increasingly developing a taste for wines, but are put off from seeking out high-quality ones by the old fashioned, pretentious way wine is usually presented. Corks, dusty bottles and wooden crates are not selling points to the under-30 crowd. Stephen is doing away with all the stuffy formality of wine buying and keeping his venture sexy and ultra-modern, with Philippe Starck furniture and beautiful displays of the bottles, appealing to his age group by improving the presentation and accessibility of one of his favorite things: wine.

Master sommelier Alpana Singh has just penned a new book about women and wine, Alpana Pours: About Being a Woman, Loving Wine & Having Great Relationships. It is based on her observations of couples and how they interact over wine, as well as how to incorporate wine into different occasions, such as from "first dates to 'meeting the parents'." It seems aimed at women who are novice wine drinkers - just about everyone, compared to Singh - and wants to serve as an introduction to the subject, to push wine one step closer to being an everyday thing. Here are a few of Singh's most basic tips for wanna-be wine lovers

• Older isn't always better, so don't be afraid to drink it if you've got it.
• Chardonnays are "'pretty boys' that don't ask you to think." Develop a taste for "sophisticates" like Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Sangiovese.
• Chilling inexpensive wines makes "off" flavors disappear in whites, and makes reds "taste earthier and richer."
• "Don't give easily recognized, inexpensive wines as gifts." Look for more obscure, but still recommended, budget wines.

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