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Laguna Uncorked

Court Quest: Q&A with Aspiring Master Sommelier Gary Sullivan

Some of the country’s top sommeliers will descend upon Aspen, Co., from May 15-18, to take on one of the most grueling assessments in the beverage industry: the master sommelier tasting and practical service examination. The tests span glassware preparation, wine recommendations and vintage identification, and are the final...

Court Quest: Q&A with Aspiring Master Sommelier Troy Smith

On March 7, some of the country's top sommeliers will descend on three U.S. cities—Atlanta, Dallas and San Francisco—to take on one of the most grueling assessments in the beverage industry: the master sommelier theory examination. This 50-minute verbal test spans global wine knowledge and is the first in a series...

Laguna Uncorked: Where to Sip Bubbly on Valentine’s Day

Nothing says romance like the clink of two glasses of bubbly. But ‘cheers’ are no longer relegated to lingering gazes over a candlelit table for two; this Valentine’s Day, there are myriad options around Laguna Beach for savoring sparkling wine with your sweetheart. From active excursions to classical concerts, the...

Laguna Uncorked: Five Wines to Try at Watermarc

  Chef Marc Cohen’s South Coast Highway restaurant Watermarc has long been known for its contemporary grazing plates—16 options for light, inventive fare like ahi watermelon skewers and bacon wrapped dates. It should come as no surprise, then, that every wine offered by the glass can also be served by...

Laguna Uncorked: Why You Should Be Drinking German Riesling in 2016

With January comes new resolutions, and there’s one you should put on your list for 2016: drinking German riesling. Undoubtedly the Western European country’s most renowned grape, it often flies under the radar due to labels with a language barrier and the stigma that it’s amateurishly sweet. Nothing could be...

Laguna Uncorked: Five Tips for Choosing Holiday Glassware

Last week, I arrived at a dinner party with 2013 Loca tempranillo in hand to find that the host did not own any red wine glasses. We were forced to use a set of 1940s sherry tumblers found on the bottom shelf of her china cabinet and let me...

Laguna Uncorked: Top Spots to Drink Wine Before Noon

A few weeks ago, I joined a wine club that curates monthly selections based on a survey of your palate profile—I prefer milk chocolate over dark, for example, and take my tea brewed strong as opposed to iced and sweet. Unfortunately, my first four bottles arrived on a busy...

Laguna Uncorked: The Art of Bottling a Brand with Speak Wines

With the holidays fast approaching, those of us who have procrastinated on finding the perfect presents for loved ones are starting to feel the pressure—for the wine lovers in your life, monogrammed stemware can’t be rush ordered, and cork shadow boxes were so last year. One of Laguna’s best...

Laguna Uncorked: Top Chef Premiere Pairings at Broadway by Amar Santana

  Tonight, Laguna’s own Amar Santana will make his television debut on the premiere of Bravo’s 13th season of “Top Chef,” a reality competition that pits talented chefs against each other in a variety of culinary challenges. Judged by experts including acclaimed chef Tom Colicchio and food writer Gail Simmons,...

Laguna Uncorked: Skyloft Savory Selections

The month of November brings Laguna Beach’s foray into smokehouse barbecue, as local restaurateur Ivan Spiers’ latest concept, Skyloft, opened on South Coast Highway earlier this month. Serving up Southern-style comfort food like smoked beef brisket and baby back ribs in the former Rock ‘N Fish space, the city’s...