The Idyllic Wines of Provence

Provence...

Just saying the word brings visions of lazy seaside lunches, enjoying fresh seafood under a dazzlingly blue sky and of course, glasses of cool, delicious salmon colored wine. Known as the birthplace of rosé  this area of southern France is one of the world's oldest wine regions and offers many distinct styles of red, white and rosé making it a source of intrigue for wine professionals an enthusiasts around the globe.

Provence is blessed with perfect climate: sunny, dry days, with just enough rainfall, and the famous "Mistral" winds, blowing down from the north, drying out the grapes and protecting them from rot and other diseases while sea breezes temper the hot rays of the sun. The quintessential Mediterranean climate!

While rosé is king here, reds and whites are hugely popular as well. Provençal reds feature Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsaut, and Carignane. They are usually boldly flavored, solidly built, medium-bodied wines, with moderate to pronounced tannic structure. The reds pair well with the assertively flavored meat and game dishes of the region, especially lamb and venison.

White wines from Provence are made from Ugni Blanc, Rolle, Semillon and the Rhone varieties Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, and Clairette with Viognier and Roussanne making inroads lately as well. They are an excellent match with the seafood-based cuisine of the Mediterranean coast, as well as with the spices and herbs used so liberally in Provençal cuisine.

And then there Provençal rosé, the perfect summer wine with its typical floral- and berry-infused bouquet, savory minerality and a dry, high-acid finish.  The typical grapes are Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah

and Tibouren with Cabernet making it into a few of the blends.  Perfect for quaffing, delicious with seafood, cheese, and spicy, light dishes; for me the quintessential summer wine.  I always anxiously await the new vintages and producers in the spring and you will always find many Provence options in our rosé section.

Sommelier Kimi Kiviranna just finished an extensive course on the region and is anxious to share her new found knowledge with you! We'll feature 3 rosés, 2 reds and a hard to find white from the area and we've invited Casey Foote from St. James Cheese to join us with some delicious pate and French formage to pair with the wines. $30 - Reservations and prepayment required. Thursday, May 16, 6:30pm @ Swirl. We have spots for 5 more lucky people! Call 504.304.0635.

10 Reason to Bring Your Jazz Fest Guests to Swirl!

Happenings
Jazz Fest Central Round 2!
The energy in the neighborhood last week was incredible as we kicked off Jazz Fest 2013 with mostly good weather, amazing music and lots of backyard parties that continued well after the gates had closed.  While we got a little cleansing rain yesterday, it looks like there's more beautiful weather on the way. And with that extra day at the Fest on Thursday this week we want to be sure to give you and your out of town guests lots of reasons to stop in to shop for party beverages, check out all of the local art and fun t-shirts or have a drink at the bar. 

10 Reasons to Bring Your Out-of-Town Guests to Swirl

1. Check out one of New Orleans Own Famed Food Trucks - Zagat just published a list of "must try" food trucks, selecting one truck from 10 major cities across the US, and guess who they picked from Nola? Midcity's own Fat Falafel! You can check 'em out, every Tuesday in front of Swirl 6-8pm where they are dishing out delicious Mediterranean food ($5-$10) that you can bring into the shop with wine specials at the bar selected to pair with the food.

2. Wine by Local Producers - People are always looking for "local" wines and we feel these great labels produced by some of our favorite New Orleanians should fit the bill and deliver a whole lot of quality.  We've got James Moises' 2008 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir and his 2011 Pinot Gris in stock from Oregon and the entire lineup of Vending Machine Wines from Napa including the brand new relase of Horror Show III! Open a bottle in house, take a few home, or we can ship!

3. Refreshing Mimosas to Kick off Your Day at the Fest - Join us on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week from 10:30-12:30 for our $5 mimosas - a Jazz Fest Swirl tradition!
 
4. Great Local Art on the Walls - Check out the really cool New Orleans themed work with local art from "in nola words" and Shaun Aleman, Lizano’s Glass Haus, Carnival Sculptures, Jeanne Catahula Vidrine and Julia Stefanski! Their original works start at just $20!!

5.  Quality Selection of Wine and Beer - The perfect gift to thank you for hospitality?  Bring them over to pick up a few bottles for the house or sit outside and watch the festers go by while enjoying a glass of wine and a cheese plate.  How about a nice cold rosé to sit on the bayou with in evening? The perfect end to a wonderful day at the fest!

6.  Artisan Cheese, Chocolates and Breads - Fresh breads from Maple Street Patisserie, a nice selection of imported cheeses, olives, cured meats and local chocolates from Bittersweet confections await!  Cheeses are cut into perfect cheese plate sized chunks and breads are delivered fresh on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

7. Try a Wine Flite at the Bar -  Stop by on Wednesday for a special flite nite featuring 4 of our favorite summer picks!  We've got some stunners in the lineup this week with the Steven Kent Lola, Hammacher Pinot Noir Rose from Oregon and two killer reds!  Flites will feature 4-2oz pours of really great juice.  No reservations required, just pull up a seat at the bar and get your boarding pass! Selections for the flite are posted on our Facebook page on Wednesday. $15

8. Chef Walter's Culinary Treats on Friday from 5-9pm!  -  Chef Walter Greenwood's small plates have become "must try" culinary treats on Fridays and he'll be back again this week with some great new items to hold you over 'til the taxicab line thins out!

9. Citizen Nola Tees  - We're stocked up with those cleverly designed tees from our friends at Citizen NOLA so come over and check out the new designs coming in on Tuesday!They make great gifts and "festive" wear!

10.  More than 25 Wines by the Glass - Have a drink at the bar or sit outside with a cheese plate and watch the festers go by! And our selection of quality rose' is infamous!  The perfect New Orleans summer beverage!

There's Something About Alloro...

The first time I heard the name Alloro Vineyards I was on a plane to Portland for our first trip to Oregon.  Anytime you are headed to wine country, anywhere in the world, people have opinions on where you "must go".  As this guy spouted off about Alloro to his friend, I didn't pay much attention to him but I did file the name in the back of my brain for future reference.  

As you drive down Highway 99 from Portland into the Willamette Valley, the first AVA you hit is Chehalem Mountain with the town of Sherwood marking the entrance to wine country.  Blue and white signs along the road announce which wineries are where and your heart starts to beat a bit faster just thinking about all of the delicious wine that awaits you.  And as we came through Sherwood on that initial drive down through the valley, one of the very first blue signs I see is for Alloro Vineyards.  Including the location of the winery into that file in the back of my brain, we drove on through Newberg, then Dundee and Lafayette, stopping finally in Carlton to check in to our apartment.

That evening at dinner James Moises is talking about other wineries that have approached him about distributing their wines in New Orleans.  Again the name Alloro comes up and I realize that after the third mention in a day, I need to pay attention.  So James ends up visiting the winery the day we leave the valley and is incredibly impressed with the place, the wines and the people.  Yes, he will be picking up the wines and he can't wait for us to try them.  And after much discussion we end up putting Alloro Vineyards on our itinerary for our upcoming Artisan Oregon wine trip in October, based purely on James' excitement about his experience.

Photo from allorovineyards.com

Then comes the big Wine Spectator article on Oregon's 2010 vintage and the Alloro Riservata Pinot Noir is chosen as one of the top 20 wines out of 550 tasted for the article and the Chehalem Mountain Pinot scoring 92 points!  No longer filed in the back of my brain, the wines certainly have gotten my attention and are now in the store. We finally had a chance to revisit the 2010 Chehalem Mountian with dinner last night, inspiring this blog post today!

From the southwest facing slope of Laurel Ridge in the Chehalem Mountains, the vineyard plantings start at 475 feet and rise to about 650 feet and have either a southwest or southeast aspect.  The soil is classified as Laurelwood Series, a silty soil made of ancient decomposed volcanic material with a top layer of ancient sediment. 

It's all estate grown fruit and they only produce 1200 cases of the Chehalem Mountain and 300 cases of the Riservata.  Both are in stock as well as their lovely Pinot Noir Rose'!  So if you are a fan of really well made, small production Oregon Pinot Noir, come by, we are sure you'll be impressed!

2010 ALLORO PINOT NOIR, 92 points

Sleek and refined, with a nice point to the black cherry and mineral flavors, lingering with haunting delicacy on the finish.  Drink now through 2018. 

2010 ALLORO ‘RISERVATA’ PINOT NOIR, 93 points

Polished, expressive and distinctive, offering meaty, savory overtones around a silky core of black cherry and mulberry fruit, coming together with intensity and harmony on the finish.  Drink now through 2020. 

Cocktails and Bikinis @ Three Muses

The Amuse Bouche and cocktail we paired at the Chef Dan Esses' Supper Club last week was a big hit with the crowd.  "Bikinis" really are a Spanish tapas menu called as such because they are cut in little triangles like a bikini bottom!  Thin, grilled, crustless sandwich with usually made with black truffles, Iberian ham and cheese, how could you go wrong?

We paired the bikinis with a simple, classic style cocktail that we named Epanoles Ocaso or Spanish Dusk for it's burnt orangy color.  Made with a dry fino sherry and a red vermouth, it was deliciously refreshing!

Españoles Ocaso

      1 oz El Maestro Sierra Fino Sherry

1 oz Dolin Rosso Vermouth

1 dash Bitterman’s Citrus Bitters

1 twist orange peel

Stir well over ice cubes in a mixing glass. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, add a twist of orange peel and serve.

What can I do for you today.....Mike Fabianski

Today's staff profile is a bittersweet one as Mike Fabianski will be leaving us just after Jazz Fest for a new career in a new state.  But he has been such an important part of our staff that I couldn't even think about leaving him out!  While he is only with us handful of hours a week, his infectious smile, enthusiastic attitude and constant desire to connect the dots between food, farming, wine and people, will be dearly missed.

What are some important non wine related things about you?  
-I'm originally from Illinois, grew up right outside of Chicago.  I have 2 brothers, 2 sisters and love my large Chicago family. I moved to New Orleans for college and have lived here for the last 10 years.  I studied history and education and since then, have been a teacher, school administrator and now work at Hollygrove Market & Farm.  I've always loved food and wine.  Bittersweetly, I'll be moving to Florida this May.  I'm engaged to Michael Pierce and will be getting married next spring.  We're still trying to hammer out the details.

What are your hobbies?
-When I'm not working, I'm most likely eating, cooking or growing food.  I also like to run and bike.  I find running to be a quick way to release some of the stresses from your day or night. Yes, I do go running after a Friday night working at Swirl, some think it's a bit odd (wouldn't be the first time I've heard that about my self), but I find it relaxing to run in the moonlight, just need to be careful of those potholes.  When I'm not running and still need to get my exercise fix, I'm on my road bike.  In order to be an employee of Swirl, the ladies make you sign a blood oath that within 1 year you will join Team Swirl, raise some serious money to fight MS and be a top finisher in Bike MS.  Maybe there's no blood oath, but there's certainly a lot of pressure...please ask Kimi when she'll be joining the team, she's been with us for a year now :)  My fiance and I should be back this October to ride with the team.

If you had to pick a favorite wine region for reds, what would it be?  for whites?
-Argg, now we have to pick and choose, these are the hardest questions to answer.  I'm thrilled that Beth and Kerry recently went to Oregon and since then have flooded the shop with Oregon Pinot Noir.  It's Oregon Pinot Noir (Eyrie Vineyard) that got me deeply hooked into this wonderful world of wine.  They're elegant, the fruit is balanced with the earth; they certainly give Burgundies a run for their money.  Not to mention they are American made; and I love that in 20 years our US landscape will change, more and more US regions are testing their terroir for the perfect grape partnership, you just wait and see.

I refuse to pick the traditional greats of the world, I'm going with whites from Campagnia, in Southwestern Italy, Near Mt. Vesuvius.  The Falanghina, Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino pair wonderfully with our hot summer days, provide great complexity to ponder over with friend on your porch, and provide great structure to pair with your seafood filled summer dishes.

What is your current favorite red, white or bubbly in the store right now?
-The Pierre Chermette Beaujolais.  Beaujolais and the Gamay grape is one of the world's best, and it's terrible is gets such a bad wrap because of the Beaujolais Nouveau garbage.  In every tragedy lies opportunity, there are some world class wine makers who take their time with this grape and create some world class wines that, fortunately for the consumer in the know, come at a great deal, this beaujolais is one of those great deals!

 What was your recent best food and wine experience?
-I love pairing food and wine, it's tough stuff, there's rules we tend to follow, and we often break our preconceived rules to make the best pairings.  A few months ago Kimi, Kerry, Beth, and I got together to work on a special flight night based on pairings, and we had the unfortunate task of eating lots of cheese and drinking over a dozen wines to investigate the best pairing possible;  this is what I love, eating, drinking, tasting, mixing and matching all with great company and conversation and sometimes a slightly heated debate. 
Last year, our old friend Michelle Gueydan and I went to check out the newly opened Root, she was the perfect dining companion, we each bought a number of dishes and glasses of wine from the menu, buckled down at the bar and begin the serious work of finding the great pairing.  It was a silly scene of the 2 of us, taking up space for four because we were constantly going back and forth between our wines and dishes.  The winner that night was a lamb face bacon (not sure if this is still on the menu) and the Supernatural Sauvignon Blanc, who would of thought.  It was seriously one of those magical pairings that was perfect; when you put those two in your mouth the blended perfectly into pure sensory bliss to have them separately was just tease of their true flavor potential.

If you could pick any wine from the indulge section right now what would it be?
-I can't believe I'm going to say this...California wines are fantastic, but my palate doesn't often gravitate towards them, but with wine you are constantly learning and your opinions are subject to change.  Romillily's 2011 Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley in California.  I like this wine because it straddles the the divide between new world and old world wine.  It has wonderful cherried fruit, like California Pinot, but the fruit it's balanced with darker, earthier elegant notes that you'd expect from France.  I love the Russian River Valley for their lighter, less fruit -fleshy wines that possess depth in the palate and finish.   This wine is a family affair, 2 brothers started the this young winery a few years ago,  their vision is to keep their business small and keep the focus on the juice. They've also grown up under the mentorship of their uncle August "Joe" Briggs and are taking now building their own brand using the years of knowledge they've gained from a California great, they're a new generation of great California winemakers.
 
And finally, what do you like most about working in the wine biz?
-People. My bosses are great. My colleagues are great. Our customers are great. Our wine reps are great. Basically I feel like we are one big family who share a curiosity of wines and in doing so learn so much more about the world, ourselves and each other because of the community and love we share.  Some of my happiest moments each week are at Swirl...I'm sure yours are too ;)

Thank Mikie!
You can find Mike in the store every Wednesday as he hosts our "Wednesday Nite Flites" program with Kimi Kiviranna and other special guests, every other  Friday and every Saturday, until he leaves for Florida in mid May.  :-(

Perfect Spring Picnic Picks

Spring is in the air...
The azaleas are blooming and the 2012 rosés are starting to make their way to New Orleans, a clear sign that spring is coming to our fair weather city! So as you daydream about lazy picnics along the banks of the bayou or throwing down a blanket while watching the gondola glide through the lagoons in City Park, Swirl is here to help you fill you picnic basket and your head with perfect picnic picks and ideas.   From our cooler stocked full of freshly imported and domestic cheeses and cured meats, locally baked breads from Maple Street Patisserie, delicious chocolates and truffles from Bittersweet Confections to hand selected crisp whites, lovely pale rosés and light fruity reds;  we've got everything you need and we'll even throw in some suggestions for the best Faubourg St. John neighborhood spots to entertain those spring picnic fantasies!

Fortier Park

Due to the efforts of a handful of dedicated residents, Fortier Park (across the street from the shop) has become a neighborhood treasure.  Complete with beautiful fountains, unique sculptures and lovely landscaping it's the perfect place to meet locals, their kids and their dogs!  You can use the tables that double as chess boards or pick out a nice green space for a blanket. And if you run out of provisions, you are only about 30 seconds from swirl...;-)

Banks of Bayou St. John

Bayou Saint John has many wide green spaces to throw down a blanket but I particularly like the spot by the Cabrini walking bridge under the big oak tree. Lots of shade, people watching, dogs swimming,  paddle boarders and kayakers; be ready for some social interaction because you are guaranteed to see people you know and probably make a few new friends! 

The singing oak in City Park

City Park offers many secluded, hidden nooks for a more private picnic or lots of  populated spaces for great people watching.  I personally love the area under the old, sprawling oak tree with the huge wind chimes near the big lake.  Called the "singing oak", you can't help but feel more calm and relaxed when you hear those deep sounds coming from the giant chimes.   And there's lots to occupy the rest of your senses too with the boats on the lake and walkers on the path and the ducks gathering on the shore.

And of course we have everything you need at the shop for you outing.  Perfect sparkling picnic wines like the Terriero Prosecco or the Argyle Brut Rosé go great with cheese and are a festive, way to start your feast.  Refreshing palate cleansing whites like the 2011 Arindo Verdejo, the 2011 Domaine Closel Savienneres  or the 2011 Vaccaro Inzolia  are a joy with cheese and antipasti and just plain fun to drink.  Lighter style reds like the 2010 Prunotto Dolcetto, the 2011 Pierre Chermette Beaujolais or the 2011 J.J. Willamette Valley Pinot Noir have enough fruit and weight to accompany both your meats and cheeses.

New 2012 rosés are arriving daily!

And of course, my favorite picnic go to wine is rosé and the 2012's have begun rolling in so now is the time!  The 2012 Bieler from Provence  is hands down the best value in the store right now with the big juicy 2012 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Rosé, the crisp, elegant 2012 Beckstoffer Hogwash and the 2012 Cochon Old Vine being our favorite domestic wines. But never fear, many many more are on the way!!

Now onto the what you can fill that picnic basket with...a nice rotating selection of artisan cheese awaits  stocked by our resident cheese guy Casey Foote.  Pre-cut into the perfect sampling sizes, best sellers include the triple cream wonder Brillat Savarin, the nutty almost butterscotchy Prima Donna Aged Gouda, the crumbly, tangy goats milk Miticana, the semi-soft, buttery Appalachian, the earthy creamy Louis Bergier Pichin and of course the ever popular sheeps milk, Manchego and Idiazabal.  We usually hand select 12-15 cheeses per week to fill the cooler and sample on our cheese plates at the bar.

The perfect picnic sized selection awaits!

Cured meats like Olli Salume, Palacios Chorizo and Olympic Provision Charcuterie are always on hand along with accouterments like cornichon, olives, pesto, crackers and fresh Maple Street Patisserie breads (Thursday-Saturday).  And our favorite chocolates and truffles from Bittersweet Confections continue to be the one and only chocolate producer we carry because why sell anything but the best?  And when the best is local it is even better...and don't forget the govino plastic wine and champagne glasses!

So what are you waiting for?   Come over pick up your picnic accouterments, grab a blanket and enjoy this weather while we can!  Need a few cups or napkins?  Want to pair a specific wine and cheese? Just ask, we'll do whatever we can to help you have the perfect picnic!

How Can I Help...Kimi Kiviranna

A series of posts on our amazing staff, the heart and soul of the store!  While we can fill our space with great products, do good deeds through our community work and support our local artists and businesses, it is the friendly, helpful, professional and knowledgeable team that truly set us apart! Because without the warm, positive vibe created by those who work here, Swirl would be just another wine shop! 

Last week Matt Snyder revealed both quirks and passions and today Kimi gives us a quick look into her love affair with food & wine!

What are some important, more personal, non wine related things about you?   
-I am a California native but I fell in love with New Orleans the first time I set foot in this city. I have been lucky enough to live, travel, and work all over the world, but it is wonderful to have New Orleans as my home.

What are your hobbies?
-Wine! Food! Travel! Fortunately, these things go hand-in-hand. I also love to read-- even over-night buses and 13-hour flights are bearable with a copy of Shantaram in your hand...Kimi fails to mention that she is a total gym rat and that her preferred method of transportation is her 30lb. cruiser bike!

What are your favorite wine regions for reds, whites, rosé?
Red-- Fleurie in Beaujolais. White-- St. Aubin in Burgundy is my stand-by, but I have recently become obsessed with Croatian and Slovenian whites. Rose'-Provence!-- I especially love the "orange" rose's made from the Tibouren grape!  

What is your current favorite red, white, bubbly in the store right now?
-Red- Be Wise Vineyards Wisdom Red Blend, the perfect go-to big red for sipping or with food, for a gift or a Monday night, you can't go wrong with this one. White-my favorite changes every week! Right now I am crazy about the Uixar Bizkaiko Txakolina from Spain, the Vacarro Inzolia from Sicily, and the Tikves Rkatsiteli from Macedonia. Bubbles - Henri Giraud Code Noir Champagne

If you could pick any wine from the indulge section right now what would it be?-It continues to be the 2010 Bouchard Clos St. Landry Chardonnay that Beth & I discovered in the Bouchard Pere & Fils tasting last year.  We tasted the 2011's at the same event this year and it was still my favorite in the lineup in terms of balance and approachability.

What was you best recent food and wine experience?
-Celebrating my husband's birthday at Lilette a few weeks ago, with a 1999 Salon and a 2006 Montrachet Grand Cru!

And finally what do you like most about working in the wine biz?
-A bottle of wine is all the things I love tied into one--history, geography, culture, storytelling, science, and romance. To be able to learn, teach, and share this with others is amazing.

Thanks Kimi!
You can find Kimi in the store every Wednesday as she hosts our "Wednesday Nite Flites" program with Mike Fabianski and other special guests, every other Thursday and Friday and some Saturdays.  She is also a certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers and has just recently returned from Japan where she became a Certified Sake Professional.

A Special Glass for a Very Special Wine

Riedel's Oregon Pinot Glass

During our visit to Oregon's Willamette Valley last October, we made our way to a few tasting rooms and wineries from Dundee to Amity.  Each place we went to used a specific Riedel glass that I had never seen before.  A different than their regular Burgundy glass, James informed us that Riedel designed a specific glass for Oregon Pinot Noir, and it was a joy to drink from!  Hmmm, yet another indication that the world is taking Oregon Pinot pretty seriously! 

Apparently they were created during several workshops with the famed Oregon growers and producers.  The shape of this Riedel Vinum XL Pinot Noir glass is said to show the fresh compact fruit of Northwest Pinot Noir and highlight the irresistible sweetness, while perfectly balancing the acidity and de-emphasizing the alcohol to create a perfect picture of the wine. Or, in the words of Georg Riedel, this new stem is 'The perfect Oregon Pinot Noir dream glass.'


I've done some research over the last week about what makes this shape so special and came across an article from an Oregon Pinot publication that did a test with the Oregon vs the Burgundy glass.  Here's what they did and their results:

Riedel Burgundy Glass

I assembled my Ad Hoc Tasting Panel (defined as whoever shows up) and we tried five Oregon pinots in three different glasses each: A ten ounce wine bar glass; a 25 oz Riedel Pinot Noir / Burgundy glass (the standard to date) and the Riedel Oregon Pinot Noir Glass. The panel included two winemakers and a host of experienced palates.

Here’s the short-version of the results: The glasses are the best stem for Oregon pinot noir I’ve ever used. The new stem enhances both the aroma and the palate of Oregon pinot noir to such a degree that I’m buying dozens and dozens of the new glass for use in my wine bar as well as for use at home. It’s that good. The flared top requires that you tilt either the glass or your head to such a position that the wine Vs. B.C. hits the back of the palate first. The wide rim also sends the wine cascading down the sides of your tongue. The result is an enhanced fruit impression and much less emphasis on structure. The wines simply taste more open-knit and fruit-forward. The tried-and-true Riedel Burgundy stem, by contrast, forces the taster to nearly pucker up to receive the wine, and directs the wine onto the front of the tongue and straight down the middle. The tongue ends up cupping the wine. This clearly puts an emphasis on darker fruit flavors and enhances the impact of any tannins. 

I'm thinking we may have to do our own test!  What are my chances of getting 10 volunteers to help us out? :)

Nice to Meet You....Matt Snyder

An eclectic, affordable selection of quality wine and beer lining the shelves; WWOZ providing the best background music on earth; cool local art decorating the walls; people always tell me what a really special place we've created at Swirl. But none of that would matter without great people like you to fill it and the warm, helpful environment provided by those who work here.  Some of you know them well, some of you may have never met them, so I wanted to give you an opportunity to get to know our staff through a quick, personal interview.  Matt kindly agreed to be my guinea pig and the others will follow...

Matt Snyder, Tuscany 2012

What are some important, more personal, non wine related things about you?   
- I am the lucky husband of Maria and proud father of son Jack, 2, and a daughter who shall be named upon her arrival this April 17th. I'm a native of LaPlace, Louisiana, but I've been fortunate enough to live, study, and work in places like Morgantown, West Virginia, Valencia, Spain, and Cairo Egypt, before returning to NOLA four years ago. In addition to Swirl, I also work as an instructor of American Government at Delgado Community College. I speak fluent Spanish and have been picking up a little Italian lately.

What are your hobbies?
- With my current schedule, hobby #1 is being a dad. I just love it. I'm also an avid Crossfitter. I try to read as much as possible, usually bouncing between historical non-fiction, sci-fi, philosophy, and fantasy. I love all types of films so I'm a big Netflix fan. I bleed Black and Gold. I'm a huge video game junkie, particularly RPG/adventure games and the Call of Duty series, but I've been clean for about three months now :-) I'm really looking forward to getting back into hunting this fall so I can pair some game meats with our great Spanish, California and Italian reds. Maria and I are really into brunch now and there's nothing like Sunday brunch in NOLA followed by a Second Line.

What are your favorite wine regions for reds, whites, rosé?
-This is a tough one because I just love different wines for different reasons. For reds, the regions are Burgundy, Rioja, Tuscany and Piedmont. For whites, Burgundy again, and Rias Baixes. For Rosé, Spain and Italy have come a long way, but rosé from Provence are still my favorite.

What is your current favorite red, white, bubbly in the store right now?
-Shooting from the hip?  Red - 2011 VMW Horrow Show. White - 2011 Closel La Jalousie Savenierres. Bubbly - Champagne Jean Velut.

What was you best recent food and wine experience?
-Last summer in Florence I had bisteca fiorentina with a few bottles of 2006 Josetta Saffirio Barolo. It was divine.

If you could pick any wine from the indulge section right now what would it be?
-Tough choice! Barolo is always high on my list so the 2007 Marcarini Barolo Brunate would fit the bill and then there was that 2010 Paul Garaudet Meursault that Casey and I shared with a customer a few weeks back... 

And finally what do you like most about working in the wine biz?
-It's really a toss-up between the people and the product. Wine brings people together. I love learning about new wines, new pairings, and sharing that with my colleagues and our customers, and then having them reciprocate their experiences. When someone says something like, 'I was never into shiraz, but that Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa you recommended went just great with charbroiled oysters...' it just feels awesome to expand someone's horizons like that. As for wine itself,  I remember years ago when I had my first wine gig at Martin Wine Cellar, I went to a Chateau Montelena tasting and someone there said 'wine is a transitory liquid. It's somewhere between grape juice and vinegar.' And that inherent mortality of wine has fascinated me over the years. I mean even before you open a bottle, the wine is very much alive. And two vintages, even from the same producer using the same grape, soil, and methods, are never quite the same juice. Each wine is such an incredibly dynamic, artistic, unique, and ultimately perishable product. 

Thanks Matt! 
You can find him at the shop every Tuesday where he pairs up wines with the incredible fare from the Fat Falafel food truck; every other Thursday and Friday and most Saturdays.

Check out Kimi's interview:  How Can I Help...Kimi Kiviranna

Superstar Greek Winemakers Wednesday!

On Wednesday March 6th we are hosting two very talented winemakers from Greece for a tasting of their award winning wines.  They are represented by Athenee Imports, the largest importer and distributor of fine wines from Greece, and are in town for a trade tasting earlier in the day called the Athenee Imports Road Show.  After the trade event George Brown, owner of Vino Wholesale will bring them to the shop where we'll be tasting a few store favorites, the Spiropoulos Ode Panos Sparkling and the Thymiopoulos Young Vine Xinomavro, as well other wines that aren't yet available in our market.

Domaine Spiropoulos in Mantinia, Peloponnese

Yes, they are both named Apostolos!  But they make very different wines from distinct areas of Greece.  Apostolos Spriopoulos' Domaine Spiropoulos was established in 1870 and is located in Mantinia an area in the Peloponnese region. The vineyards sit on a plateau that is more than 2000 feet above sea level.  They produces both reds, whites and rose' wines from indigenous varieties Moschofilero and Agiorgitiko, the most important wine in the portfolio is the Ode Panos, a sparkling Moschofilero.  They are certified organic and one of only a handful of producers of sparkling wines in Greece.

The Culinary Institute of America has added Domaine Spiropoulos’ Ode Panos to the sommelier syllabus, helping to train upcoming sommeliers on the delights of Greek grape varieties. Furthermore, one of the world’s most recognized authorities on champagne and sparkling wine, critic and writer Tom Stevenson, included Domaine Spiropoulos’ Ode Panos Brut in his Millennium Champagne and Sparkling Wine Guide, a list created to celebrate the world’s top-rated drinks in the category. Spiropoulos is proud that his was the only Greek sparkling wine featured on the venerable list.

Thymiopoulos Winery, Photo from Athenee Imports

Apostolos Thymiopoulos at 31 years old, is considered the rising star of Naoussa. His vines are cultivated according to biodynamic farming methods at an altitude of 600 feet in the southern sector of the appellation. The vineyards are blessed with a good amount of sun and a terrain comprised of Naoussa’s most geologically complex soils, made of lime-rich marlstone, schist and granite. Thymiopoulos focuses on expressing the freshness of the grapes and giving each vintage a unique signature. His wines are unfiltered and aged in vats and or old barrels. He is known most for his reds  made from Xinomavro; the Uranos (’earth and sky’) made from forty-year-old vines, and his lighter Young Vines that has been a very popular wine with us for the last year.  Thymiopoulos is also Naoussa’s only vintner to produce a pure rosé using xinomavro grapes and has just begun to make a white from Malagouzia.

We hope you'll join us on Wednesday to taste these high quality, distinct wines from 2 of Greece's superstars! The tasting is free from 6-8pm, no reservations required!