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Valentine’s Day Wine Ideas: Sommelier Jaime Smith Shares Wines That Deserve Your Love

Valentine’s Day Wine Ideas: Sommelier Jaime Smith Shares Wines That Deserve Your Love

It’s that time of the year again and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner.  

How should should you celebrate this holiday with your partner? 

There is always a ton of pushback on these kinds of consumer targeted holidays, a new gripe is thrown in every year but why not just embrace it? The news cycles are dire, the world is changing so quickly, why not just grab ahold of this silly tradition and go with it, have fun, the other 75% of the world is.

Let loose, grab a bottle and relax

 

While we are at it, why not visit some of the country’s most dynamic wine spots and the fab people who run them and let them help you choose that bottle of wine this year?

Not only are these wine stores and bars dynamic but their philosophies of inclusion & acceptance should be something we all should be aligning with ourselves.

We all struggle sometimes to find that perfect bottle for ourselves, these pros can guide you to your sweet spot.

Cheerful, friendly and quite bad ass, these stores are female/minority/handi-capable run and offer terrific selections from well-priced bottles of sparkling/still or dessert wine along with some distilled choices and the non-alcoholic too.

Wine in New York City for Valentine’s Day

 

NYC- big city of dreams and a place where everything is possible. 

 

Beaupierre's Yannick Benjamin

Beaupierre’s Yannick Benjamin

Yannick Benjamin and his wife Heidi Turzyn have recently opened Beaupierre in Hells Kitchen.

The store is a “…barrier-free wine store that supports social sustainability to enrich the quality of life for people living with disabilities as well as members of the BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and other marginalized communities…

…an ‘open-door’ establishment

where everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or disabilities,

is always welcome.” 

 

Beaupierre's Heidi Turzyn

Beaupierre’s Heidi Turzyn

Not only are they the most inspirational couple you will ever meet but they will help you pick that special bottle for Valentine’s Day. 

If you are ever in Harlem, you should most definitely visit their restaurant Contento (it practices the same philosophies as the store).

 

2020 Maison Chantereves, Aligote, Les Chagniots, Bourgogne, France

A fave bottle these days: 2020 Maison Chantereves, Aligote, Les Chagniots, Bourgogne, France

Visit Beaupierre in Hells Kitchen

Visit their restaurant Contento

 

Wine in Las Vegas for Valentine’s Day

Las Vegas- the city of lights and luck

Las Vegas is a terrific wine city and 2 places to visit for expert advice are Ada’s Wine bar and Lamaii

 

First up Ada’s, run by the utterly fantastic human Ms. Kat Thomas and her infectious positivity. Ada’s has a global selection of well curated and socially conscious selections.

 

Ada’s Wine Bar, Ms Kat Thomas

A fave bottle of sweets for the sweetie:

2018 Sauternes, Château Gilette ‘Les Justices’, Bordeaux, France

2018 Sauternes, Château Gilette ‘Les Justices’, Bordeaux, France

2018 Sauternes, Château Gilette ‘Les Justices’, Bordeaux, France

Shop Ada’s here

 

Bank Atcharawan

Lamaii’s Bank Atcharawan

Next up in the neon city is a Thai sommelier/chef named Bank Atcharawan and his growing empire of hot wine centric spots.

Lamaii has some of the best Thai food in the US (he is part of the Lotus of Siam alums, the wine brain behind them) and his wife Pimmie are the consummate hosts, go chat about Burgundy and Germany!

 

MV Rolland Champion , Champagne

A fave V-day bottle of bubbles:

MV Rolland Champion, Champagne 

Shop Lamaii here

Wine in Washington DC for Valentine’s Day

 

Washington DC- The nations capital is a hot bed for natural wines and inclusivity. 

Domestique Wine Shop's Eric Moorer

Domestique Wine Shop’s Eric Moorer

 

Two spots to not miss are Domestique Wine Shop and Vitis Wines.

Domestique is hands down the best natural wine shop in the country and Eric Moorer is part of the reason, an encyclopedia of all things natty and a proponent for the culture.

 

2019 Domaine Dupasquier, Mondeuse, Savoie, France 

2019 Domaine Dupasquier, Mondeuse, Savoie, France

Fave natty selection:

2019 Domaine Dupasquier, Mondeuse, Savoie, France 

Shop Domestique Wine Shop

 

Vitis Wine Bar is located in Union market and run by one of its owners, Vanessa Phillips, a Kansas transplant and she-boss. The store has female & BIPOC centric choices with a great value all tightly wrapped in a small footprint. 

Vitis Wine Bar's Vanessa Phillips

Vitis Wine Bar’s Vanessa Phillips

Fave store pic:

2019 Beaujolais Villages, Jean Foillard

 

2019 Beaujolais Villages, Jean Foillard

2019 Beaujolais Villages, Jean Foillard

Visit and shop Vitis Wine Bar

 

 

Wine in Charleston, SC for Valentine’s Day

 

 

Charleston, SC- The gem of a city along the Atlantic coast

 

Femi Oyediran, Graft Wine Shop

Femi Oyediran, Graft Wine Shop

A simply amazing wine store called Graft and run by one of the owners Mr. Femi Oyediran. Femi is a well renowned Sommelier and probably one of the most affable folks in the wine biz. The store is a treasure trove of wines, from nerdy to classic.

 

Fave domestic red:

2021 Trousseau, Phelan Farms, Cambria, CA (a Rajat Parr production)

Visit and shop at Graft

 

About Sommelier Jaime Smith

Sommelier Jaime Smith

Sommelier Jaime Smith

a drone in the Sommelier Brain Collective.  Jaime Smith loves wine. He’s currently in DC causing havoc.

 

 

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Hailee Steinfeld Launches Angel Margarita: A Premium Ready-to-Drink Margarita Cocktail with Premium Beers Group

Academy Award-nominated actress, multi-platinum recording artist, and producer Hailee Steinfeld, in partnership with Premium Beers Group, a leader within the alcohol industry in Mexico, proudly announces the launch of Angel Margarita.

Hailee Steinfeld falls in love with flavor

Hailee Steinfeld has openly expressed her love for margaritas, often sharing glimpses of her favorite citrusy cocktail on social media. Whether enjoying a classic lime margarita or experimenting with fun flavors like spicy or strawberry, she appreciates the drink’s refreshing and vibrant appeal. Her enthusiasm for margaritas perfectly complements her fun-loving personality, making it a go-to choice for celebrations and casual outings alike.

This premium ready-to-drink margarita cocktail is made with 100% Agave Tequila from the rich soil of Jalisco, Mexico.

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Angel Margarita: A Premium Ready-to-Drink Margarita Cocktail

To ensure that each can offers an authentic and refreshing taste experience, Angel Margarita is then fully crafted just moments from the Agave fields.

Blending Hailee’s West Coast style with the deep Mexican roots of her co-founders Jordi Zindel and Rodrigo Hernandez, Angel Margarita will lead the category with its commitment to quality. Angel Margarita will launch with four vibrant and refreshing flavors: Lime, Grapefruit Paloma, Ranch Water, and Wild Berry.

“Margaritas have always been my go-to cocktail,

so making a ready-to-drink version with high-quality ingredients that didn’t compromise on taste was important to me,”

Hailee Steinfeld

co-founder

“After visiting the Blue Agave fields in Jalisco with my partners Jordi and Rodrigo, I was inspired by the region. I am so proud of what we have created together and cannot wait for the world to try Angel Margarita.”

In 2023, premixed cocktails were the fastest-growing spirits category in the US, valued at approximately $2.8 billion, marking a 26.8% increase year over year. Tequila was the second fastest-growing category, valued at $6.5 billion, up 7.9% yearly.

To underscore the excitement and potential of this fast-growing category, Angel Margarita has partnered with Philip Button, Founder and CEO of Seven XV Ventures and Geloso Beverage Group, one of the leading alcohol beverage manufacturers and distributors in North America. With their support, Angel Margarita will begin its launch in Southern California.

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Stay up to date on Angel Margarita: www.angelmargarita.com / @angelmargarita

100% Tequila, 100% Angel Margarita.

Angel Margarita stands out with its high standards of craftsmanship and tradition:

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  • Expertly crafted high-quality ingredient list featuring 100% Agave Tequila Blanco, a blend of sparkling water, agave syrup, and natural flavors
  • Each 12 oz can is 6% ABV and is gluten-free
  • Available in four flavors to start: Lime, Grapefruit Paloma, Ranch Water, and Wild Berry
  • Retail = $14.99 / 4-pack, $28.99 / 8-pack variety

About Hailee Steinfeld:
Academy Award-nominated actress, multi-platinum recording musician, and producer Hailee Steinfeld remains a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. Her leading performance in the 2016 critically acclaimed film THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN garnered her two Critics’ Choice Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination. Her big-screen debut was in 2010 with the Coen Brothers’ film TRUE GRIT, for which she earned an Oscar nomination at only 14 years old. Up next, she will star alongside Michael B. Jordan in Warner Brothers and Ryan Coogler’s latest film, SINNERS. The supernatural action horror-thriller is set to release globally on April 18, 2025.

About Premium Beers Group:
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About Geloso Group:
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Thanksgiving in NYC: the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s… [Recipe here]

This Thanksgiving in NYC, the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s brioche.  As in St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing

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Thanks to its butter and egg content, St Pierre’s Brioche Loaf provides the perfect balance of crisp toastiness while remaining soft and creamy inside, while its lightly sweet flavor adds a decadent quality that can still lean savory. Attached below is an approachable recipe for stuffing allowing for all the craveable crunch for the whole family with minimal effort required.

St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing

By @BrandiMilloy

Ingredients

1 loaf St. Pierre Brioche Bread
1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 medium onion, diced

3/4 cup celery, diced

3/4 cup carrots, diced

1 cup mushrooms, diced

2 large eggs

1 tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped

3 sprigs fresh thyme, just the leaves

1 tbsp. fresh sage, chopped

1 small apple (granny smith works well), peeled and diced

Salt and pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Cut brioche bread into 1” cubes and bake for about 10-15 minutes until toasted.

  2. Meanwhile, into a pot over medium high heat add butter until melted. Add onion, celery and carrots and cook until everything starts to soften, about 7 minutes.  Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes longer.  Remove from heat and set aside.

  3. Into a bowl whisk together the eggs, herbs, apples, mushrooms, and salt and pepper. Add your cooked vegetables and mix to combine.

  4. Pour mixture on top of toasted bread and stir to combine. Bake stuffing for about 45 minutes. If your stuffing starts to get too brown, cover until finished baking. Enjoy!

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The Rise of Mushroom Coffee: A New Era in Health-Conscious Brewing

In today’s health-focused culture, where wellness transcends mere goals to become a lifestyle, mushroom coffee is emerging as a leading trend. This innovative beverage combines the classic energizing effects of coffee with components often linked to the reputed benefits of medicinal mushrooms. Such a blend makes mushroom coffee a more mindful, health-oriented option for daily consumption, resonating especially with those who weave wellness into their daily routines.

Image courtesy of Freepik

The uniqueness of mushroom coffee lies in its ability to enhance the usual coffee experience by potentially offering additional benefits. For those who find regular coffee too acidic, mushroom coffee presents a more stomach-friendly option. Additionally, it incorporates adaptogenic mushrooms, which are believed to help the body better manage stress. This attribute makes mushroom coffee especially enticing to wellness enthusiasts and those seeking a natural way to support their body’s stress response.

The Rise of Mushroom Coffee

The Rise of Mushroom Coffee, Image Courtesy of Freepik

Finding a coffee that delivers on both taste and health promises can be a daunting task. Leading the initiative is More.Longevity & Wellbeing with its Coffee Superfood Blends. These products are meticulously developed, selecting each ingredient for its quality and scientific backing, ensuring they contribute effectively to the blend. Flavors such as Salted Caramel Vanilla and Mocha are designed to mask the natural earthiness of mushroom, making the beverage more enjoyable while enhancing its appeal. The addition of adaptogens and essential vitamins in the blends aims to support overall health by boosting immunity, enhancing energy, and improving mental clarity.

The Rise of Mushroom Coffee

The Rise of Mushroom Coffee, Image Courtesy of More.Longevity & Wellbeing

The company’s commitment to radical transparency ensures that consumers receive a product free from unnecessary fillers and additives, affirming a respect for consumer health and environmental sustainability. This level of honesty and ecological consideration is becoming increasingly important to consumers who prefer products that are both healthy and environmentally conscious.

As the trend continues to carve a niche within the beverage market, consumers are presented with expanding choices. It’s no longer just about picking a brand; it involves selecting a philosophy and a level of quality that resonates with personal health values and taste preferences. The coffee not only invites coffee lovers to rethink their daily mug but also serves as a gateway to a more mindful and intentional morning routine.

Image Courtesy of Freepik

About the Author
Sommelier Jaime Smith loves wine. He’s currently in DC causing havoc.

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