Packers vs. Bears = Wine

After another crazy exhausting weekend of work, I settle in this morning with my usual English muffin and peanut butter along with my giant mugged latte.  I haven’t headed outside yet and I don’t really plan to venture far today, as I’ll spend my morning indoors with my hubby and small petting zoo (2 cats… Continue

Celebrity Twin Cities Chef…

While there are many with this title these days from our great neighboring cities…there are only a couple I consider, The Real Deal.  And, my friend, Chef Tyge Nelson, is truly one of them.  The kid has produced some of THE best food I’ve had in the Twin Cities, let alone the U.S.   Seriously.  Do… Continue

Amusée’s New ‘Whacked Wine’ Article in Artful Living Magazine

The World of Whacked Wine…  Here it is.  All laid out for you.  Remember ALL of those bottles with the crazy wine labels I was forced to drink over a month ago and put up my YouTube Video discussing it? Well, here it is in print, now as a columnist for Artful Living Magazine.  Check… Continue

A Review of 3 Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs

Now you know I L-O-V-E Pinot Noir.  To a point where I can truly check myself in as a real Pinot-phile.  (No, that’s not a naughty word!) “Hello, my name is Leslee and yes, I am obsessed with Pinot.” Hmmm…does that sound right? Here, I decide to take three of my favorite producers from one of my… Continue

Let’s Talk about ‘Sulfites’

No joke, the conversation comes up at least once a nite in classes, in home wine events, corporate wine tastings and cooking demos.  If I had a FAQ Page…(hmmm, good idea!) THIS sulfite conversation would be at the top of the page.  Folks complaining and blaming sulfites for their headaches, hangovers and more.  Yet, they… Continue

Crush Pad Fan posts Scusi Review…

Got something to say about a new food or bev joint in the Twin Cities?  Post it here on Amusée’s Crush Pad.  Send me your review via email and I’ll put it up. Would love more local feedback regarding new Twin Cities Food Joints! A new review from a Crush Pad fan, below.  Here’s what he… Continue

Chef Inspired ~ Sommelier & Cicerone Paired

Was it a Throwdown?  Hmmm…If it was, it was a perfect union of FOOD, WINE & BEER challenging any one out there that could come close to what we pulled off last nite!  Bring it, Flay! The Perfect Pairing Team of Chef Mike Shannon & Sommelier Leslee Miller strikes again!   This time with our friend… Continue

A Terrific Loire Valley Tasting

Well here we are, only 6 days into the New Year and I’ve already experienced heavenly wines!  In fact, could turn out to be some of my favorite wines of the year, already!!  And the best part, shared with some really outstanding peeps to pair.  Within the last year I’ve hemmed and hawed about the ‘sleepy’ wine… Continue

Best of 2010 – Things you never wanted to know about a Sommelier

A girlfriend sent this my way so I thought I’d pass it on, super cool. If YOU can come up with something better for any one of these…pass it on Please!   Would love to hear some of your worst and best! In 2010, What was your favorite? Here are a few of mine… Day?  When I… Continue

My Favorite ‘Meaty’ Wine Pairing for 2010

As many of you know, my year is continually stacked up with events, wine tastings, classes and more for a zillion different styles of wine drinkers.  Each event is its own, always different wines, different pairings, cheeses, chocolates, unique foods and more.  And the group ‘personality’ always one of a kind! Now, when it comes to… Continue

New Year’s Resolutions

So I received this AWESOME picture today from one of my dearest girlfriends…funny, right?  Drinking Dom right from the bottle?  “How dare she?! ” some would say.  Yet I say, “Go For It, Sister!”  My reasoning and why it should be tied into your New Year’s Resolutions when it comes to Wine! 1.  Stop Playing By… Continue