by @wineauxdlynnp
2002 Hirsch Riesling “Gaisberg” Kamptal Austria
I’ve often joked the way you spell sommelier is RIESLING, and that will always be true.
The 2002 vintage is one of my favorites from Johannes. With white peach, yellow apple, subtle spices, and a tantalizing layer of still fresh and zingy acidity, this is a Grand Cru that can easily last another 15 years. Don’t be afraid that Rieslings are too sweet, because they can bone dry and ethereal!
by @wineauxdlynnp
H. Goutorbe Prestige Cuvee Brut NV
Goutorbe is probably one of the edgiest champers I have consumed recently.
I was instantly struck by a fragrance reminiscent of the Kew Gardens in London, and then invited to taste what was a starburst of lemon, nectarine, and weirdly, crushed almond. Continue reading
by Jennifer Jaco
As part of our back to school effort we have an assignment for some of our area chefs, bartenders and sommeliers: what I did on my summer vacation. As these reports are sent back to us we will share them with you. We noticed some are longer than others, and many will be loaded with photographs for extra points. – ed
To many the life of a Sommelier seems like a dream job. Meeting winemakers, traveling the world, and drinking wine all day sounds like a pretty cushy gig. However, when I can step away from 12-hour shifts, weekly inventories of enormous wine programs, orchestrating wine dinners while balancing Restaurant Week, and successfully stopping by every table on a 700-cover night they only thing I want is a beer.
However, in the off-season (aka when its 115 degrees outside) the restaurant scene tends to slow down a bit and we are able to travel! Summers are what Sommeliers long for. Continue reading
Filed under Sommelier, What I Did On My Summer Vacation
by Steven Doyle
Last week we attended the latest wine dinner hosted by sommelier Jennifer Jaco at Del Frisco Double Eagle Steakhouse. This was one of her more imaginative dinners and executive chef David Holben was totally on his game with the menu. Holben’s background, besides training at Michelin 3-star restaurants in France, includes The Riviera, for almost a decade one of the city’s premier restaurants. He also ran the kitchen at Mediterraneo and Toscana, a few of the more compelling Italian restaurants in Dallas history.
This was an interesting evening witnessing Holben’s departure from his typical Del Frisco menu.
While Jaco worked the room ensuring the comfort of her guests, we were guided through Italy vicariously through the fascinating stories and anecdotes of Italian wine expert Dan Rosenberg. By the end of the spirited evening most of the guests were chomping to book a flight to Italy. It is always a joy to see stand back and watch Jaco in action with her over-the-top wine knowledge and eagerness to share. Continue reading
by Steven Doyle
As the first official wine dinner at Del Frisco’s with the new Wine Director Jennifer Jaco, we were eager to not only witness the sommelier in action but meet her guest host for the evening, Andy Peay. Peay himself hadn’t spent much time in Texas over the past several years so this was a particular boon for not only Jaco, but her guests.
Jaco worked the room with her typical aplomb and signature grin. You could get the sense that she was extremely pleased to be in the room that night. The sommelier has a nice Dallas following and the room filled quickly. Continue reading
by Steven Doyle
We have been following the knowledgeable and entertaining sommelier Jennifer Jaco since she arrived back in Dallas from schooling and working in New York. We learned this week that Jaco, who was formerly at Bailey’s Prime Plus, has accepted the sommelier position at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House.
We sat down with Jaco on her second day on the job where she was busy planning events for the steakhouse. Monday Jaco has already scheduled an exciting tasting that is mainly geared toward the hospitality trade, but anyone may stop in for the tasting. The tasting on Monday will feature approximately 65 wines from the Ribera del Duero region of Spain and an important seminar with Vega Sicilia Winery, which is one of the most important wineries potentially in all of Spain. Continue reading
Filed under Celebrate, chefs, Crave, Dallas, restaurant news, Sommelier, Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle
I felt a tremor in the Dallas restaurant force today, and minutes later learned that Jennifer Jaco had left Bailey’s Prime Plus, and chef Michael Ehlert has taken leave from Chesterfield. I should soon be speaking with the new manager Ken Kuczwaj who was just hired away from Bob’s Steak and Chophouse to manage the brand, and I will have more top report soon.
I have also been following a story on the purchase of Uptown Bar and Grill from Bailey’s ownership. This leads me to believe that there are larger changes about to happen with the Bailey’s concept. However, for the moment, there are a few extremely talented CIA grads on the loose in Dallas.
Filed under chefs, Crave, Dallas, restaurant news, Sommelier, Steven Doyle
by Katie Minchew
Last week, I filled in for Steve for an evening out with good friends and even better wine at Bailey’s Prime Plus. I have to admit that I am a newb to the wine industry but I think that it is one of the most lavish, fascinating, and sophisticated hobbies–no, wait, more than a hobby, a passion, lifestyle, addiction–that anyone could ever have. I am also a dreamer and have always wanted to live on or own a winery so this event where Evening Land’s Master Sommelier Larry Stone paired incredibly wines from France, California, and Oregon with dishes from Bailey’s Prime Chef Grant Morgan, I was in heaven. Continue reading
Filed under chefs, Crave, Katie Minchew, Sommelier, Wine
