Blog

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

Holiday Pairing to…

I have a good friend, Jeannine, who has spent the good part of her year pairing to something quite fun and unusual – Cheesecake!  Isn’t that fun?  Jeannine, a serious foodie, I knew when I met her…as she sat front row in one of my Cooks of Crocus Hill Classes.  Brite eyed and wanting to… Continue

Looking for a Fun NYE Experience?

I have been singing their praises for months now (almost just as long as they’ve been open!)…so I hope you’ve had a chance to get out and enjoy this super cool new hot spot for Wine and Eats in Minnesota. Who?  Nectar Wine Bar Where?   204 Central Ave, Osseo, MN Why?  Because they’re one of… Continue

A Great Christmas Gift

Whether it’s Christmas, New Year’s or the next upcoming holiday to give…might I give a suggestion for a fool-proof way to impress even your finest foodie friends. We gave a few of these out this year and they happened to be a big hit with everyone.  Zingerman’s Bacon Club! What the hay is Zingerman’s?  The… Continue

Merry Christmas Las Vegas

Upon a very short to Las Vegas this past weekend, I was reminded of some very fun times I have spent  listening and jamming to some unbelievable music through the Vegas scene in years past.  Quite a few of my most memorable have to do with Dave Matthews.  Of course, if you’ve read any of my… Continue

Tiny Bubbles

Courtesy of my pals at the Wine Company, a local Twin Cities distributor, they put out this fun fact bubble blast this week to their wholesale clients.  I liked it so much, that I thought I’d pass it on.  While most of us in the industry take these terms for granted, I thought it fun to remind… Continue