Sip and Sandwich with Potbelly CEO Alan Johnson

"Don't Forget To Hug The Stove"

When you meet Alan Johnson, the new President and CEO of Potbelly, you know right away that there’s going to be lots of laughter, conversation and stories to require at least one bottle of great wine and a few sandwiches.

Join me for a conversation that takes us on a ride from South Africa, working for Michael Eisner, being the CEO of BevMo! and why Alan loves going to the grocery store for hours and not always hitting the Amazon Prime button.

Join me and Alan for an “award-winning” sips and sandwiches podcast and “Don’t forget to hug the stove!”

Here is an overview of the first part of our conversation. Enjoy and grab your favorite Potbelly sandwich and bottle of wine!

Jessica Altieri: [00:00:09] Welcome to Wine Conversations. I’m your host Jessica Altieri, CEO and certified sommelier of the Wine Channel TV Digital Network. This is podcast number 14 “Sips and Sandwiches” with Potbelly CEO Alan Johnson in Chicago on Monday February 12th, 2018. A glass of wine is just a conversation waiting to happen as I always say, and today’s conversation is with Alan Johnson the CEO of Potbelly and we are sipping some Napa cellars Cabernet to get the conversation started.

Jessica Altieri: [00:00:49] Welcome to Wine Conversations.

Alan Johnson: [00:00:51] Hey thanks Jessica. Lovely to be here. Great to see you all. How are you enjoying the Chicago winter so far?

Alan Johnson: [00:00:59] Look there’s no such thing as bad weather. There is only inappropriate clothing, so once I sorted that out then it’s been just fine.

Jessica Altieri: [00:01:08] I like that answer. That makes sense. Nothing that a great bottle of wine can’t solve and warm you up with.

Alan Johnson: [00:01:15] I see you have a treat for us here. ( Napa Cellars)

Jessica Altieri: [00:01:16] We have a nice treat and we’re going to talk about that and I want to tell people about everything you have going on in your current role and  how we got in touch here in Chicago. But first I want to start from the beginning and how you got to where you’re at today. So first tell me about where you’re from.

Alan Johnson: [00:01:32] That’s a complicated question you see because most times that means where is that accent from. So, when I tell them I’m from Chicago which is where I live now people don’t believe me, but I was born in Rhodesia which is now called Zimbabwe. And then I moved to South Africa I grew up there as a young adult. I left South Africa at the age of 19 and moved to Australia raised three kids in Australia and then left at the age of 29,30 travelled around the world went to the US with my job for Pepsi years working at Pizza Hut and went to the worldwide headquarters of Pizza Hut which believe it or not is in Wichita Kansas.

Alan Johnson: [00:02:20] Lovely place and quite a culture shock going from Sydney Australia to Wichita Kansas.

Jessica Altieri: [00:02:35] So where did you get to school though?

Alan Johnson: [00:02:39] In Australia.

Jessica Altieri: [00:02:41] What did you want to be?

Alan Johnson: [00:02:42] Well, you know this strange thing is I wanted to be a doctor and moved to Australia and then as it turned out had to miss a year because of the transition from South Africa to Australia and ended up enrolling in business school and then four years later with a business degree really straight but it was a great decision. So, I ended up in Wichita, Kansas and then I was working in strategic planning for Pizza Hut worldwide and I was sent to eastern Europe to open Pizza Hut, KFC and Taco Bell. I lived in Warsaw Poland for a couple of years.

Jessica Altieri: [00:03:28] So you know a little polish…

Alan Johnson: [00:03:32] Yes….so we have that in common and a love for wine and food.

Jessica Altieri: [00:03:44] I can’t even imagine the food over there. So how long were you in Poland?

Alan Johnson: [00:03:48] About a year and a half a year and then moved back to Australia thinking OK that’s it I’m going to put down roots going to live back in Australia and quite literally three months later I found myself in Boston where I was the chief operating officer for a movie theater company building these big megaplexes. I did that for whatever it was three four years.

Jessica Altieri: [00:04:12] Wait…. the type of megaplexes like we could drink and eat in?

Alan Johnson: [00:04:16] We opened the very first stadium megaplex on the East Coast of the US with valet parking,and ATM’s that distributed movie tickets not cash, VIP seating and even specialty food, not just popcorn and Pepsi.

Alan Johnson: [00:04:42] And then Michael Eisner visited one of our theaters and liked what we were doing.

Jessica Altieri: [00:04:52] How was that first conversation with him?

Alan Johnson: [00:04:53] Very nerve-wracking because he’s such a legend and he’s such a visionary and he’s see things so different. Anyway, he wanted me to go and work for a small division that kind of focused on restaurants and regional based entertainment.

[00:05:17] And I packed my bags, left Boston into L.A. and spent five or so years working in wonderful businesses like ESPN Zone which was a restaurant-based sports restaurant and club Disney and Disney Quest, opened Disney Quest here in Chicago on Ohio and Rush. And worked in the theme park part of Disney in the days when the Internet bubble burst in year 2000 if you remember all the drama and was asked by then the chairman of the Internet group to go help figure out how to write the Internet business because they were losing a lot of money. And spent a lot of time building what back then was the equivalent of Orbitz and Travelocity and Expedia. They hadn’t been thought of. And we built a complex travel site that you could plan your Disney vacations and you know book your hotel your rental car, your airfare and buy your tickets to the theme park. And then I had an epiphany at the end of that which was sort of you know I need to start working for me rather than these big you know companies like the Pepsi’s and the Disney’s. And so eventually I got together with an ex-Pepsi friend of mine that I had known for 25 years who purchased a small company and that’s how you and I had our paths cross. BevMo was a small chain in California, the equivalent of what you have here with Binnys. And we had 50 stores only in California a few in Arizona.

Alan Johnson: [00:07:30] We took the company from 50 to about 165.

Jessica Altieri: [00:07:45] Was it difficult going from somewhere like Disney to BevMo?

Alan Johnson: [00:07:48] It was, not for any reason other than I’ve been in the “eatertainment” business for 30 years.

Alan Johnson: [00:08:11] So the transition was difficult in that I was so used to sort of a huge organization and BevMo in those days was relatively small and was a private company, so you could you could quite literally sit there and make have a conversation on Monday morning and decide what to do on Monday afternoon and launch it on Tuesday morning. And so, you had to move a lot quicker. But I quickly fell in love with the people, fell in love with the industry. I mean our industry really attracts people with a deep passion for the love of the grapes and the story behind the passion behind who makes the product. And so that was you know a wonderful introduction to a business in California which brings us to Napa which is the mecca for you know for the U.S. It doesn’t get any better. I lived maybe half an hour, 40 minutes from Napa.

Jessica Altieri: [00:09:18] How wonderful and you mentioned you had seen me judge? I’ve been doing professional wine judging for seven years. I didn’t know that at the time and I just knew that you had worked with one of my dear friends, Wilfred Wong. Who is a legend in the wine judging industry and now with Wine.com. And that’s just funny how everything kind of intertwined.

Alan Johnson: [00:09:36] There you go. I mean when I first joined of course you know to be honest, I didn’t know a lot about wine. I’m not quite sure.

[00:09:47] And Wilfred you know he’s a tremendous teacher and he teaches in a way that is non-technical. And so, you know I just sit down with Wilfred and his tasting room and he said, “Alan we need to broaden your palate.”

[00:10:09] And we would sit there and maybe taste 20-30 wines in one flight. And he loves to teach them, and he is such, I think the right term legend. And Wilford will never ever forget what wine you like and one day you’ll be just sitting there all sudden Wilford will put a glass in front of you say, “I know that you will love this”. He just has this knack of remembering that one thing that you once said to him. And I mean he will bring a different bottle to someone else and you know what I also liked with Wilfred is for me the romance of wine with food and then great conversation. It doesn’t get any better than that; you need all three.

Jessica Altieri: [00:10:57] I agree. That’s my slogan; “Wine is just a conversation waiting to happen” and I completely agree with Wilfred too. The other point is I don’t know if you ever notice he takes such meticulous notes about every single wine that he tastes and judges.

Alan Johnson: [00:11:18] And we also had in common, photography. So yeah, I mean the whole food, the wine, the photography and you know Wilfred also I think because he’s had to deal with many maybe built in assumptions that people have about you know how an Asian guy can know that much about wine. Let me tell you, walk through the streets of Europe with Wilfred and you’ll see what a legend he is and every ounce of that hard work. So, I was blessed for five or six years Wilford shared an office not far from me and particularly on those days where I knew he was tasting something special.

Jessica Altieri: [00:12:20] Tell me what led you to your next destination then on your path. It sounds like you’re happy there.

Alan Johnson: [00:12:28] Yes happy wonderful team great brand. The number one player in California. And then just wanted something different to do. Got an opportunity to do what I thought was retire and then I quickly figured out you know what retirement’s not in me now. So, for the last couple of years I’ve been in the frog kissing business. You know and hoping that you pretty much like what happened with BevMo and along came after about a year and a half this wonderful brand that I’d heard of, but I didn’t know a lot about Potbelly and a recruiter called me and said hey you know is that something that you’d be interested in. And to be honest I don’t know anything about it, but I’d love to find out.

Jessica Altieri: [00:13:23] Had you gone to Potbelly before enjoying their sandwiches?

Alan Johnson: [00:13:27] No. You know what. I think I did. And if I did it was that one of the airports that I had no sort of specific recollection of ever being at a Potbelly. Anyway, I spoke to a number of my friends who know Chicago very very well. And soon as you say Potbelly, they say, “I love Potbelly”.

Jessica Altieri: [00:13:47] Can you tell the story of how it originated in case people don’t now. It’s a great story.

Enjoy the rest of the podcast and the story of Potbelly from Alan.  And subscribe to my Wine Conversations podcast here: http://www.revolverpodcasts.com/shows/wine-conversations-with-jessica-altieri/

Cheers!

Wine and Cupid Perfect Pairing for Valentines Day

Cupid and wine both make us stupid. In the best possible way! Yes, Valentine’s Day is exciting but oh, the stress— planning the date, picking out flowers, cooking, figuring out if your significant other is really worth all this trouble . . . so let me make wine pairing the no-brainer easy part.

Snapshot

Imagine you’re on safari. Hunt out the right wine for your trip. (No machete required!) Plenty of vari­etals out there roar for your attention. Yes, flowers and cheese and chocolate are in the romance savannah. Now lock them in your sights. See the blue veins in that cheese? Blue veins cry for darker sips like Banyuls and port. You know that classic pairing, port and blue cheese? Well, Banyuls and dark chocolate will make the hyenas howl. Ecstasy. Even if your date’s a dud!

Fave Sips

• Jam Jar Sweet Wine
• Royal Tokaji Mad Cuvée 2009 Late Harvest
• Taylor Fladgate Vintage Porto Vargellas 2001
• 2008 Vial Magneres Banyuls Rimage
• Domaine Sigalas Vin Santo 2004
• Far Niente Dolce 2007 Napa Valley Late Harvest Wine
• Inniskillin Vidal Icewine (half bottle)

Great Eats

A vintage port like Taylor’s, with its beautiful clean finish, burnishes bitter dark chocolate. Not a port fan? Mix things up with Italian Vin Santo and crunchy biscotti, the traditional pairing in Italy—and Italians know romance! But honestly, to do justice to the February freeze, splurge and open a bottle of Inn­iskillin. It’s harvested during Canada’s subzero weath­er, when grapes are frozen on the vine! Perfect with salty nuts for a cozy night in. Or step it up a few ro­mance notches with elegant foie gras dishes.

Happy Valentines Day from Jessica Altieri and Wine Channel TV!

The Super Bowl 52 Sip on a Ferris Wheel

How To Drink Wine for Super Bowl 52 

Instead of watching Super Bowl 52 in a bar, or at a friend’s house, we’ve got an idea for you. You get on a plane and head over to Vienna, Austria and get your tickets to Wiener Riesenrad, a famous 200-foot-tall Ferris Wheel in Vienna, Austria. The Weiner Riesenrad was erected in 1897 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I. Super Bowl 52 on your iPhone might work, we’re not quite sure. But you won’t be disappointed either way with the Ferris Wheel ride.

Now, you may not be able to get the “gang” together like I did. Joining me for this Super Bowl 52 viewing party would be Fritz and Lissi Wieninger, from Wieninger Wines, 3-star Michelin Chef Juan Amador, and Stefan Schauer from world-famous Staud’s preserves.

And of course, we need a little” live music”.  How about being serenaded by world-renowned tenor, Michael Schade. Schade regularly performs at the Canadian Opera Company, Vienna Staatsoper, Salzburg Festival, Metropolitan Opera, Washington Opera, Opéra National de Paris, San Francisco Opera, Hamburg State Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Los Angeles Opera. Private and luxury cabins in the Wiener Riesenrad Ferris Wheel can be reserved for romantic, candle-light dinners—an elegant and exclusive setting with appetizers and Hochriegl “Cuvee Sophie” sparkling wine followed by a three-course meal and two bottles of wine, Grüner Veltliner Bründlmayer and Wiener Trilogie Wieninger. Though, unfortunately, private serenades by Michael Schade aren’t always part of the deal. The Ferris Wheel cabins can also be hired for weddings, groups, cocktail hours, breakfasts, and coffee breaks.

Watching Super Bowl 52 is optional on this trip. Now get those airline tickets!  Prost!

Water Sommelier Jessica Altieri Inside Sip - Svalbarði Polar Iceberg Water

Hydration Celebration with Svalbarði

Earlier this year, Jessica Altieri became a certified water sommelier. In fact, the only certified water sommelier in the state of Illinois. So, we wanted to start sharing with you the stories behind some incredible water brands that you should be pairing up with your wine, food and beyond.

Today we tell the story of  Svalbarði , an award winning, ultra-low mineral still Arctic iceberg water. Svalbarði  is the world’s northernmost bottled water and is recognized by the Fine Water Society as the world’s best tasting super low mineral water.

It gets its tagline a “taste of snow in the air” due to iceberg waters that are some of the rarest in the world. This water is as unique as its story that we learned from its founder Jamal Qureshi.

In 2013, Norwegian-American Jamal Qureshi collected meltwater as a gift for his wife while travelling in the Norwegian island territory of Svalbard – one of Europe’s last great wildernesses. The pure water would make for a delicious cup of tea, he thought. That’s a pretty thoughtful gift and one of the things that first caught our attention about this brand.

Nonetheless, 4 years later, that creative, generous thought transformed into an epicurean product, which is redefining the very notion of pure drinking water.

With approval from the Governor of Svalbard, Jamal chartered an icebreaker – the Ulla Rinman – and sought out the purest of icebergs just 1,000km from the North Pole at 79° north. As fresh as the day it fell as snow up to 4,000 years previously, 15 tons of ice is gathered by the crew.

Svalbard’s glaciers release approximately 5 billion cubic meters of icebergs into the sea every year. The team heads out for anywhere from 3 to 7 days to find the perfect ice.

The icebergs need to be from the most protected inner part of the glacier. The presence of ancient air bubbles, which make a crackling sound as they melt, is a key sign that the right pre-industrial era iceberg has been found. The source ice can be up to 4,000 years old and requires no chemical treatment.

The iceberg must then be carefully lifted out of the arctic water. This is dangerous and risky work. Rough seas can threaten to crash tons of ice against the gathering vessel. Ensuring maximum safety means sometimes the search must move on to find a safe location with the right type of ice.

The ice is then gently melted in a specially constructed machine and bottled by hand, capturing the best drinking water in its cleanest form. In order to retain the water’s natural composition and premium taste, no chemistry-altering filters are used, only micron filters and UV light to adhere to international standards.

Each expedition yields 13 thousand bottles of pure drinking water; therefore, each batch is a limited edition. The product can be shipped around the world.

Based in the Arctic outpost of Longyearbyen, an important center for global warming research – Svalbarði is an environmentally friendly company with a deep interest in raising awareness for polar and climatic research.

The company operates sustainably for the conservation of the Arctic environment in three main ways:

• Firstly, Svalbarði is carbon neutral-certified which means that the company invests in a carbon-offsetting scheme, which supports projects around the world. These have included a wind farm in western China, and upgrades to local water infrastructure in Uganda and Malawi. Their pure drinking water is produced in an entirely sustainable manner.
• Second, they use their position as a global company based in the Arctic to raise awareness of the vital role Svalbard plays in scientific research of global warming on an international scale.
• Third, the company aims to lessen the impact of global warming. Through a partnership with the Crop Trust, they support the preservation of food crop seeds representing 15 thousand years of human agriculture which are endangered by the changing climate.

If you’re still wondering what defines the brand, it’s all about the location, Svalbard! You have one of the world’s most northernmost communities where there are more polar bears than people, and 60 perecent of it is covered by glaciers.

When you see a bottle of Svalbarði, most people get the same reaction: “wow”. This bottle belongs on your dining table or up on your mantle, with its visually stunning look that matches the rarity of the source.

Jamal had some very interesting pairings to pair with Svalbarði that should be on your 2018 tasting experience list. The first thing to keep in mind is their tagline – “the taste of snow in air”. The water is so light it’s like when you were a kid eating snow. The water is perfect for enhancing delicate flavors, as well as fish and light desserts.

Given its lightness, Svalbarði is not suited to a full-bodied wine with a bold structure which would overwhelm the iceberg water’s nice delicacy. Instead, it blends ideally with a soft, suave wine with a moderate alcoholic level.

Some recommended wine pairings would be fresh and fruity white wines; rosé, Beaujolais, aromatic sparkling wines, classic cava and champagne.

The water you use for your coffee also makes a difference! For instance, when Svalbarði is paired with a strong and astringent espresso, helps to dilute the harsh, intense and persistent sensations.

And let’s not forget about tea. Light green tea is a perfect pairing with Svalbarði because the iceberg water’s structure does not overlap the tea’s astringency and sharpness – allowing a better perception of its refreshing, aromatic notes.

When made into ice cubes, Svalbarði’s softness and delicateness helps to bring out the aromas and flavors of Vodka as well.

Some great eats to pair up with this water would be oysters, foie gras, lighter cheeses, fried shrimp and grilled seafood in general.  Drink something unique, amazing, pure and fresh for your next celebration.

For more information on Svalbarði, please visit svalbardi.com

And for more great water and wine pairings, stay in touch to your water sommelier and wine sommelier, Jessica Altieri on Instagram @winechanneltv

What The Flavor Of Water Is Telling You

When we think of flavorless, the classic example is water. Berries are sweet; mushrooms are umami; collards are bitter. But water? As Popular Science so eloquently puts it:

“For thousands of years, philosophers claimed that water had no flavor. It’s the baseline for the sense of taste, they said—a starting point and null condition. What water is to tongues, darkness is to eyes and silence is to ears. ‘The natural substance water per se tends to be tasteless,’ wrote Aristotle.”

Aristotle Was Wrong

Despite the eloquence of pretty much everything Aristotle ever wrote, the statement itself is far from true. We humans have pretty sensitive tongues, and can detect a huge array of flavors, even very subtle ones. As it turns out, water is full of such subtle flavors.

For instance, calcium. This is a very common mineral found dissolved in water. As reported in Live Science, our tongues are sensitive enough to taste calcium; in fact, we have actual receptors for them. Those are specific taste buds dedicated to detecting specific flavors such as salty or sweet … and now, calcium-y. A dry, coating sensation can usually be felt from waters that are rich in Calcium.

Though at higher levels it becomes harsh and bitter, it’s quite pleasant in water. Clearly water isn’t just a blank slate.

Water Wisdom

Water can give you other clues as well. If it’s full of harsh rotten-egg flavor, that means there’s too much hydrogen sulfide in it. While sulfur itself isn’t bad for you, the strong flavor can indicate that you’re picking up too much of the pipe lining on the way out of the tap – and that’s not good.

Other aquatic clues? Mineral water has a good name for a reason. While you might think de-mineralized water was the most favored, that’s not true. People actually prefer water with the right balance of natural salts and ions.

Tough gig figuring all this out, right? That’s where Jessica Altieri, America’s Water Sommelier, comes in. There’s no better source for water know how. Drink the Right Water. At the Right Time.

Visit www.jessicaaltieri.com/water-sommelier to learn more.

Wine Conversations with Jessica Altieri now Available on reVolver Podcasts

Picking what you want when you walk into a Starbucks or a Baskin-Robbins is easy, but how do you find the right wine? With Wine Conversations with Jessica Altieri on reVolver Podcasts, you’ll be sipping wine like a pro.

I’ll Kiss Your Glass–and Tell

Let’s face it. Buying and learning about wine can be about as much fun as a blind date—all nerves, the wrong kind of mystery, and in the end, no guarantee. What you really need is a gal in the trenches. Last week, I tasted over 300 wines in one afternoon. Get it? My tongue is your tongue. My taste buds are at your service. I’ll kiss your glass, and tell! No date required. With the Wine Conversations podcast, you can “fake it till you make it”.

Every try talking to folks at a supermarket about wine? If only they’d put up honest signs in liquor stores, with a big red arrow, saying, “This wine sucks.” Or give out wine warnings on restaurant menus, “Guaranteed to kill your meal.” I get the feeling we all had plastic surgery just to look STUPID when it comes to buying wine.

Forget the surgery. Forget the wine gambling, and the Rosé roulette. I drink wine like I have conversations—bold and brave. How else could I run my own Wine Channel TV Network and host worldwide events as a certified sommelier? Adventure! To me, hunting down the best wines is high adventure. And I have drunk enough varietals—bad and great—to help you over the “wine dating” hump.

It’s not hard knowing what you want when you walk into a Starbucks or a Baskin-Robbins. But finding the right wine? With this podcast you can fake it till you make it. You’ll be sipping with a pro and celebrity guests from the world of wine, music, sports, fashion and food. For every “drinking” reason or season, I’ll cut through the BS and give you great wine choices for ladies night out, tailgating, “date night hero” nights, or just sitting on your couch and getting smashed.

Penfolds g3 Experience with Peter Gago

Join Wine Channel TV wine expert Jessica Altieri with Penfolds Chief Winemaker, Peter Gago for an exclusive interview celebrating the release of “g3”. Where did the passion come from? Learn about “The Grip of the Grape with Peter Gago. g3 is a special wine blended from three Grange vintages spanning seven years – 2008, 2012 and 2014 released globally on October 18, 2017 in Hong Kong.

Watch the short, fun interview with Peter and Jessica and stay tuned for the full-length interview later this week.

Below are the details of the g3 release from Penfolds:

“Penfolds has released a special wine blended from three Grange vintages spanning seven years, aptly named Penfolds g3. A Penfolds first, these vintages of 2008, 2012 and 2014 (a vintage to be globally released in 2018), energetically entwine to create a completely unique Grange expression.

Penfolds Chief Winemaker, Peter Gago said “Put simply it’s Penfolds ‘House Style’ distilled … Penfolds g3 is a natural end result of the venerated art of blending. It is a blend where each individual vintage selected delivers a depth of character and flavour honouring our flagship Grange”.

Blending across vintages is part of Penfolds winemaking philosophy and has been since 1844. Penfolds Tawny styles, famous in the mid 1800’s continue a long tradition of fortified wines that celebrate this particular blending style. Winemaking saw this style as a natural progression to apply this technique to a create a new red table wine.

Two of the Grange vintages selected for this wine are recognised as some of the finest Granges released, so why blend them? Peter said, “it wasn’t about selecting the biggest or the best Grange vintages, in fact it was about making something different – but not just to be different”.
Each Grange vintage component selected to make this wine brings something different to the final blend. Broadly: Grange 2008 is a big bold wine, Grange 2012 is about elegance and sophistication, while 2014 is a young wine that serves to ‘freshen up the blend’. The 2014 vintage is yet to be released, making it even more of an evocative beyond-reach inclusion.

This endeavour adds new meaning to Penfolds ongoing pursuit to confidently move into the future whilst always respecting the ethos of the past and tradition.

The original experimental 1951 Grange created by Max Schubert is now a wine regarded as one of the world’s most celebrated collectables. Grange is a multi-vineyard multi-district blend retaining its proven stylistic template to this day. The same is true of Penfolds g3 but also across vintages.

The inaugural celebration of Penfolds g3 took place at the Liang Yi Museum Hong Kong on Wednesday 18 October. A magical evening attended by international friends of Penfolds including global media and collectors.
Only 1,200 bottles are available around the world from Adelaide to Paris, Hong Kong to New York. RRP $3000.00 AUD for a 750ml bottle.”

Expressions of interest via www.penfolds.com . And remember to stay tuned for more on Penfolds later this week on Wine Channel TV

Everything You Need To Know About the Penfolds g3

Jessica Altieri - Wine Channel TV and Peter Gago - Penfolds

Hong Kong. And Penfolds. And the worldwide release of the g3. That’s a powerful combination of “3”. Which could only be outdone by the release of a special wine blended from three Grange vintages spanning seven years, aptly named Penfolds g3. A Penfolds first, these vintages of 2008, 2012 and 2014 (a vintage to be globally released in 2018), energetically entwine to create a completely unique Grange expression.

Jessica Altieri and Wine Channel TV were onsite in Hong Kong on October 28, 2017 for the worldwide release of this special wine blended from three Grange vintages spanning seven years, aptly named Penfolds g3.

Here is the complete release from Penfold’s:

“Penfolds has released a special wine blended from three Grange vintages spanning seven years, aptly named Penfolds g3. A Penfolds first, these vintages of 2008, 2012 and 2014 (a vintage to be globally released in 2018), energetically entwine to create a completely unique Grange expression.

Penfolds Chief Winemaker, Peter Gago said “Put simply it’s Penfolds ‘House Style’ distilled … Penfolds g3 is a natural end result of the venerated art of blending. It is a blend where each individual vintage selected delivers a depth of character and flavour honouring our flagship Grange”.

Blending across vintages is part of Penfolds winemaking philosophy and has been since 1844. Penfolds Tawny styles, famous in the mid 1800’s continue a long tradition of fortified wines that celebrate this particular blending style. Winemaking saw this style as a natural progression to apply this technique to a create a new red table wine.

Two of the Grange vintages selected for this wine are recognised as some of the finest Granges released, so why blend them? Peter said, “it wasn’t about selecting the biggest or the best Grange vintages, in fact it was about making something different — but not just to be different”.

Each Grange vintage component selected to make this wine brings something different to the final blend. Broadly: Grange 2008 is a big bold wine, Grange 2012 is about elegance and sophistication, while 2014 is a young wine that serves to ‘freshen up the blend’. The 2014 vintage is yet to be released, making it even more of an evocative beyond-reach inclusion.

This endeavour adds new meaning to Penfolds ongoing pursuit to confidently move into the future whilst always respecting the ethos of the past and tradition.

The original experimental 1951 Grange created by Max Schubert is now a wine regarded as one of the world’s most celebrated collectables. Grange is a multi-vineyard multi-district blend retaining its proven stylistic template to this day. The same is true of Penfolds g3 but also across vintages.

The inaugural celebration of Penfolds g3 took place at the Liang Yi Museum Hong Kong on Wednesday 18 October. A magical evening attended by international friends of Penfolds including global media and collectors.

Only 1,200 bottles are available around the world from Adelaide to Paris, Hong Kong to New York. RRP $3000.00 AUD for a 750ml bottle.

Expressions of interest via www.penfolds.com”

Jessica Altieri and Penfold’s Wine Experience

Learn The Power of 3

Penfold’s and Jessica Altieri – Destination Hong Kong

Jessica is going to Hong Kong.

Jessica is going to Hong Kong?

Jessica is going to Hong Kong!

No, the keys on our keyboard aren't sticking; it just seemed an appropriate way to kick off our coverage of celebrated wine expert Jessica Altieri's upcoming journey, which is all about the number "3".  How exactly? Well, we could tell you now, but why spoil all the fun? Get ready to follow Jessica Altieri, CEO and wine expert from Wine Channel TV for an exclusive trip to Hong Kong with Penfold's for an extraordinary event over 3 days. Jessica and Penfold's will be taking you on a breathtaking journey to the magical city of Hong Kong, one of the most sophisticated wine markets in Asia.

Without giving away any secrets too soon, it's safe to assume if Jessica Altieri is involved, you know we're going to be talking about high-quality wine in a simple, no-nonsense way. In her role as Executive Producer for the Wine Channel TV Network, Jessica has become synonymous with not only some of the very best wines from around the world but the extravagant lifestyle any millennial would envy.

Jessica's journey deep into the Orient begins in Chicago, where you will follow her from the Windy City to the airport, then all the way to Hong Kong, with a sample of all things that come in "3" along the way.  Upon arrival in Hong Kong, Jessica will serve as your exclusive guide to the most stunning sights, sounds, and tastes the city has to offer. From the delectable dim sum to the resplendent floating islands to the iconic city skyline, Hong Kong features some of the most captivating adventures not just in Asia, but anywhere in the world, and Jessica cannot wait to show you everything there is to see!

Because spending time with a wine expert is no fun without a selection of resplendent wines to enjoy, Jessica is teaming up with Penfolds Winery for this adventure. Penfolds is one of Australia's oldest and iconic wineries, widely celebrated for their diversity, history and craftsmanship. The story of Penfolds dates all the way back to 1844. just eight short years after the foundation of South Australia, when Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold planted the vine cuttings they had carried over on their voyage to Australia.

And what better way to celebrate three day journey to this beautiful land than with an exclusive Penfolds wine release centered around the mysterious number "3"? Why three days? Follow Jessica and learn the magic and power of 3. Jessica will be front and center to ensure that no matter where you are, you will be part of this magical event. Jessica will make sure you have the best seat in the house without getting on a plane and flying halfway around the world!

Jessica Altieri is a leading digital wine lifestyle executive, entertaining and educating wine enthusiasts around the globe. In addition to being a Certified Sommelier, California Wine Appellation Specialist, and the CEO of the Wine Channel TV Network, Jessica was chosen as one of Wine Enthusiast's prestigious "Top 40 Under 40 Tastemasters" in 2016.

Jessica's innovative, sophisticated, but humble approach to wine has made her one of the world's most sought-after millennial-aged professional wine judges. Working with leading lifestyle brands in food, fashion, retail and hi-tech, Jessica Altieri has established herself as an innovative authority in the wine industry.

In 2009, Jessica founded the Wine Channel TV Digital Network, which works with some of the world's leading wine and wine lifestyle brands to create niche online digital channels to drive awareness and engagement. By targeting millennials with a digitally-based social media strategy to promote mobile and live experience events of all kinds, Jessica led the growth of her wine lifestyle community to over 400K wine enthusiasts within just a few years.

Stay tuned to Jessica and Wine Channel TV for the journey to Hong Kong with Penfolds. For more information on the Wine Channel TV Digital Network, visit http://winechanneltv.com. To connect with Jessica and learn more about upcoming events and new opportunities, visit www.jessicaaltieri.com. You can also follow us on Instagram at @winechanneltv, @penfolds, #powerof3, and #7778mile.

Fall 2017 Pumpkin and Wine Pairings

It’s that time of year again.  Pumpkin pie, stew, soup and great wine are on our list for October wine lifestyle events. If you want to impress your guests and have a truly memorable Halloween bash, check out this video and featured wines from Wine Channel TV.

Some traditions are best served with wine. A Halloween party with wine, good friends and of course amazing costumes, is the Halloween pairing that can’t go wrong.  We’re going with a St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc and a Neudorf Moutere Riesling.

The St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc presents a brilliant shade of pale yellow speared by youthful streaks of green. The vintage of 2011 provided generous grapefruit aromas coupled with green lime, kiwi and a subtle zest of caper. Flavors are rich with grapefruit, guava and a lemon zest citrus combination. The wine is rich, vibrant and generous, yet elegant with a terrific crisp finish.

What’s your favorite pumpkin and wine pairing? Let us know and be sure to follow us all month long on Wine Channel TV for fun wine lifestyle events and pairings around the world.

Try these two tasty wines with a Pumpkin Stew recipe! Enjoy this Perfect Pumpkin Pairing and more wine lifestyle happenings from around the world with Jessica Altieri of Wine Channel TV.

Tastes of Greece Summer

Greek Wine Sourced from the Heart of Crete

On Thursday July 27, 2017 Wine Channel TV and Formento’s hosted the Tastes of Greece wine event featuring wines from Douloufakis Winery and Diamond Wine Importers.

“I am the third generation of winemakers, following in the footsteps of my Grandfather, and Father. The Wine for me is much more than a simple word. It is my profession, my hobby, my pleasure. Engaged with wine, I am a part of a tradition and a culture that counts more than four thousand years in this place.” Nikos Douloufakis

The ancient Greeks considered wine as an integral part of their lives. Dionysus was the god of wine and feasts were organized in his honour. They had devised many myths associated with wine. The enormous economic importance of wine in ancient timesled tolegislative protection. In the museum of Thassos there is a law engraved in marble from the5th century BC whichis considered the first wine law and it regulated issues concerning the harvest and sales. The earliest written evidence for transporting wine by sea is given by Homer in the Iliad. The ancient Greeks aswine lovers   used a wide variety of vessels associated with the use and transfer of thewinesuch as amphoras, craters, cups, kantharousetc.

Formento’s and Wine Channel TV are giving Chicago area wine drinkers a reason to celebrate with the Sips of Summer wine events in the dynamic Fulton Market District of Chicago! This series of wine events focuses on different regions around the world, and offers Chicagoans an opportunity to interact directly with wine producers. Visit Wine Channel TV for more videos on the featured wines at the Sips Of Summer featured event: Tastes of Greece.

Villa Maria Open Another World™ Chicago Event

Watch Wine Channel TV CEO Jessica Altieri and Villa Maria Winemaker Helen Morrison at the Open Another World ™ event in Chicago. Jessica and Helen talk about the newest addition to the award winning wines of Villa Maria – Bubbly Sauvignon Blanc.

Villa Maria was formed back in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich on 1 acre of land leased from his father and is still managed and owned by Sir George today.  He has grown it from 1 brand to 9 key brands, 120 products across 60 markets.  Key markets are USA, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Europe and Asia.

From the Villa Maria Open Another World™ press release:

“The campaign will kick off with a tour from Los Angeles to Miami with events taking place Jun. 7 through Aug. 4 in various cities. In keeping with the brand’s history of marching to the beat of their own drum—for example, Villa Maria was the first major New Zealand winery to convert entirely to screwcap closures in 2001—the tour won’t just be a typical wine tasting. The winery has retained a troupe of improvisational actors to tell the story of Villa Maria and founder Sir George Fistonich’s rise from a one man operation to a global brand in just five decades, overcoming some pretty incredible odds along the way.

The theatrical performance, “Of Grapes & Grit: The Not Completely Apocryphal Story of Sir George Fistonich, Villa Maria and the New Zealand Wine Industry” will highlight the many milestones in the winery’s history and its contributions to the New Zealand wine industry overall, for which Sir George received a knighthood in 2009. The performance, which will include audience participation, will creatively explore key events such as when the winery went into receivership during the mid-1980s due to price wars and the actions taken by Sir George and his employees to save the winery; to the unique and sometimes quirky personalities behind the wine, including a winemaker who serenades Villa Maria’s vines.

The Villa Maria story is one of passion. Each wine is crafted in the unique, fruit-driven style of New Zealand, showcasing the very best of the country’s distinct wine regions. Villa Maria sources grapes from New Zealand’s premium grape growing regions, including Marlborough and Hawkes Bay, and produces wines in state-of-the-art winemaking facilities in Auckland and Marlborough. The winery Sir George Fistonich started in 1961 is still family owned and stands as an icon of superior quality and innovation in New Zealand winemaking. In 2017, Drinks International named Villa Maria the most admired wine brand in New Zealand and the fourth most admired in the world. To learn more, visit www.villamariawine.com. Follow Villa Maria on social at Facebook @VillaMariaWine, Twitter @VillaMaria_Wine, and Instagram @VillaMariaWines.”

Enjoy the video at the WeWork office in Chicago!

How To Eat Like Lady Gaga At Lollapalooza

It’s a Lady Gaga must stop when she visits Chicago. Kuma’s Corner and burgers. Wine Lifestyle host Jessica Altieri on site at Lollapalooza pairing wine with Kuma’s Corner Burgers.  Visit www.winechanneltv for all your wine lifestyle trends around the world!

After the show ends on any given night, you can expect the rock and foodie fans in the know to be heading to Kuma’s Corner (2900 W. Belmont Ave.; 773-604-8769) in Chicago. Legendary rock stars such as Lady Gaga make this a must stop late night munchie destination.

Take at peek at our all-time favorite burger from Kuma’s in this video from Lollapalooza.

The Generous Pour Takes on Chicago

Jessica Altieri Visits The Capital Grille

Jessica Altieri, CEO and Certified Sommelier of Wine Channel TV had the opportunity in Chicago to experience this summer’s ultimate wine and food tasting experience, as The Capital Grille kicked off its ninth annual “The Generous Pour” wine event.

The tasting experience features seven acclaimed wines from California and Oregon. Selected to pair with the restaurant’s signature menu items, The Generous Pour wine experience is available for $28 when paired with dinner from July 10 through September 3, 2017.

The first wine I chose was what I call “summertime” in a glass. The WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Gris 2016 from the Willamette Valley, named for Oregon’s Willamette and Mckenzie rivers, is filled with bright pineapple, citrus and tropical aromas with a bright yet creamy finish. It was a perfect, bright pairing with the cold shellfish platter.

For the second dish, I went with one of my favorites, the bone in Kona crusted dry aged New York strip. I am a legendary steak eater, having grown up eating steak and eggs for breakfast before basketball practice in high school and college.

I paired it with two killer cabernets I chose from the #GenerousPour options- the big, bold and in your face Mt. Brave, Mt.Veeder, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with jammy blueberry and raspberry aromas. “At 1,800 feet atop Mt. Veeder in Napa Valley—where the sun is intense, the climate is cool, and the berries are small and flavorful—comes a big Cab consistently rated 90 and above from critics such as the famed Robert Parker”. – The Capital Grille

The second cabernet was the savory Arrowood “Sonoma Estates” Cabernet Sauvignon. “A bright, juicy blend of Bordeaux varietals from the valleys of Sonoma, Knights and Alexander, the historic Arrowood winery has set the bar for Sonoma County Cabernet  with bright black cherry and black currant aromas.” – The Capital Grille

Both are two killer pairings, and the best part is you can order both wines and decide for yourself if you are more of a Napa or Sonoma Cabernet fan!

And for the finale, how could I pass up the decadent flourless chocolate espresso cake! I tuned into the live Capital Grille Facebook event recently where they suggested this cake with the Mt.Brave Cabernet Sauvignon, which was a Perfect Pairing!

Here is a complete list of the wines and recommended pairings from The Generous Pour from The Capital Grille:

Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012 (92 Points) – At 1,800 feet atop Mt. Veeder in Napa Valley – where the sun is intense, the climate is cool, and the berries are small and flavorful – comes a big Cab consistently rated 90 and above. Tasting Notes: Raspberry, blueberry and touch of vanilla with approachable tannins.

• Pairing Recommendation: Bone-In Kona Crusted Dry Aged NY Strip with Shallot Butter

Arrowood “Sonoma Estates” Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014 (90 Points) – A bright, juicy blend of Bordeaux varietals from the valleys of Sonoma, Knights and Alexander, the historic Arrowood winery has set the bar for Sonoma County Cabernet. Tasting Notes: Black cherry and black currant preserves with undertones of chai tea and mocha.

• Pairing Recommendation: Seared Dry Aged Sirloin

Siduri Pinot Noir, 2015 (90 Points) – Willamette Valley is arguably the finest region in the country for Pinot Noir and Siduri’s 2015 vintage is perhaps the finest produced in Oregon in over 20 years.

Tasting Notes: Fresh red and blue fruit with allspice, a hint of white pepper and silky smooth texture.

• Pairing Recommendation: Seared Citrus Glazed Salmon with Marcona Almonds and Brown Butter

Edmeades Zinfandel, 2013 (91 Points) – From a pioneering winery with a sole focus on Zinfandel in the Mendocino Valley with vines planted over 60 years ago, this is the wine that helped put Mendocino, Calif. on the map. Tasting Notes: Ripe raspberries, cherries and red currants with notes of cinnamon and graham cracker.

• Pairing Recommendation: Double Cut Lamb Rib Chops

Matanzas Creek Winery Sauvignon Blanc, 2016 (92 Points) –

A balanced and savory ‘old world style’ of Sauvignon Blanc from the Bennett Valley in Sonoma, that delivers fresh brightness of fruit and lively acidity on the finish. Tasting Notes: Grapefruit, white nectarine, honeycrisp apples and dry lemon thyme.

• Pairing Recommendation: Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail

Cambria Clone 4 Chardonnay, 2015 (91 Points) – Long, sunny days and a cooler climate moderated by the Pacific Ocean of the Santa Maria Valley define this ripe but refreshing Chardonnay.

Tasting Notes: Fresh citrus, apple, and white peach with a hint of sweet oak.

• Pairing Recommendation: Seared Tenderloin with Butter Poached Lobster Tails

Willakenzie Pinot Gris, 2016 (90 Points) – Named for Oregon’s Willamette and McKenzie Rivers to honor the mineral-rich sediment in which their vines are grown, it is understandable that Willakenzie’s motto is “dirt matters.” Tasting Notes: Pineapple, citrus, green melon and tropical fruits with a bright but creamy texture.

• Pairing Recommendation: Cold Shellfish Platter

Click here to learn more about the featured wines and the winemakers. Follow The Capital Grille on Twitter (@CapitalGrille), Facebook (www.facebook.com/thecapitalgrille) and Instagram (@TheCapitalGrille) and join the #GenerousPour conversation.

Stay tuned for more on The Generous Pour from The Capital Grille all summer long with Jessica Altieri and Wine Channel TV .

How To Taste Sicily with Jessica Altieri

On June 29, 2017, wine drinkers and connoisseurs in Chicago were invited to join Wine Channel TV and Formento’s kickoff to its Sips of Summer wine tasting events with a Tastes of Sicily themed event.

Jessica Altieri Wine Channel TV CEO and Todd Stein Executive Chef Formento's

Partnered with and located at Formento’s, an Italian restaurant within Chicago’s Fulton Market District, guests were treated to taste eight unique Sicilian wines- Alessandro di Camporeale Catarratro, Donnafugata Lighea, Mandrarossa Grillo, Morgante Nero d’Avola, Planeta Rose, Tasca Regaleali Bianco, Valle dell’Acate Frappato, Villa Pozzi Grillo, featured by Wines of Sicilia DOC.

A representative of Wines of Sicilia DOC said they were excited to partner with Jessica Altieri, wine expert and CEO of Wine Channel TV, who they said has a great, authentic voice with regards to wine.  The two-hour event featured a Facebook live streaming where online viewers were treated to wine tastings and overviews by Altieri, a signature dish pairing by Todd Stein, executive chef of Formento’s, as well as interactions with WCTV’s partnered lifestyle brands for the night.

Todd Stein of Formento’s, whose restaurant is wine focused, agreed the event was great, citing the great synergy. “[It was a] lovely event, couldn’t get any better,” said Stein.

Enjoy the Tastes of Sicily featured wines video with Wine Channel TV host Jessica Altieri from Formento’s in Chicago.

Here are some fun facts about each of the Tastes of Sicily featured wines from Wines of Sicilia DOC:

Alessandro di Camporeale Catarratro

“Catarratto” is one of the oldest native grape variety in Sicily. Widely cultivated in the western region of the island, it is one of the leading Sicilian white grape varieties today.”

Donnafugata Lighea

“From the disheveled tresses the color of the sun, seawater flowed over the green, wide-open eyes.” Thus Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa describes Lighea, the bewitching siren and principal figure in his novel. She has inspired the creation of a complex and innovative wine and an equally original label. “It was not easy to print this label”, Gabriella (founder of Donnafugata, with her husband Giacomo) recalled, “and preserve the thousand shadings of colors of Pantelleria Island, painted in the original drawing.”

Morgante Nero d’Avola

The Morgante winery is located in the pristine countryside of southern Sicily, a hilly region located about 1200-1800 feet above sea level and just 45 miles from the splendid Valley of the Temples of Agrigento. The property comprises 500 acres of vineyards and almond trees, and the region is ideal for viticulture, with a Mediterranean climate and soil that ranges from clay and calcareous to marl.

Mandrarossa Grillo

Founded in 1959, MandraRossa is the creation of Cantine Settesoli, one of the world’s largest wine producers. Boasting a premium range of estate-bottled wines, MandraRossa is part of Sicily’s largest wine producer and co-operative formed by 2,000 members.

Planeta Rosè

Our Rosè, fresh and fruity, represents all the feelings of a Sicilian summer. Its colour is that of a summer sunset. The fresh aromas of strawberry make it a marvellously friendly wine, and easy to drink. Enjoy Planeta’s Rosè in good company, as an aperitif with tapas, raw fish, fresh salads or alone with seasonal fruit.

Tasca Regaleali Bianco

This was the first wine produced by Count Tasca d’Almerita on the Regaleali estate. Primarily a blend of three Sicilian grapes: Inzolia, Catarratto, and Grecanico, with some Chardonnay, this wine is cool-fermented in stainless steel to create a versatile, refreshing, and delicious white of true Sicilian character.

Valle dell’Acate Frappato

A dry red made from Frappato, a very Sicilian grape variety. Pretty from the start, this scrumptious wine is ruby red in color, with firm raspberry fruit and lively acidity. This is an easy-drinking wine to enjoy every day with Italian red-sauce dishes.

Villa Pozzi Grillo

Our Grillo is night-harvested and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness. With a straw yellow color, it exhibits aromas of exotic and white flowers with fresh and fruity notes of mango and pineapple on the palate. It is medium bodied and well balanced with delicate acidity and a persistent finish.

Be sure to join us on July 27, 2017 at Formento’s for the next event featuring the “Tastes of Greece”. Get your tickets here: formentos.tocktix.com/

Chicago Riesling Summer Wine Picks with Jessica Altieri

2017 Riesling Summer Wine Picks

Jessica Altieri | CEO | Wine Channel TV Media

You’ll love the fra­grant fresh sips I suggest, not that I don’t have a few reds to spring on you too! Wine Channel TV Editor Jessica Altieri shares some of her favorite Summer Wines for you to enjoy! Watch the video for a “Cheeky Riesling from New Zealand.

Riesling

Germany, Austria, New Zealand, the U.S.—it seems vint­ners everywhere are getting into the Riesling rage these days, and for good reason. This funky varietal boasts a stunning range, from rich and sweet to ultra crisp, zippy and dry. Yes, I said dry. Wine lovers around the globe have expanded their taste buds to embrace this chic native of Germany’s Rhine Valley.

Snapshot

Rot is rot, you say? Noble Rot begs to differ. Take the Trockenbeerenauslese Riesling for starters. Those crafty Germans let the grapes age and rot and wrinkle like rai­sins, intensifying the sugars and the caramel and honey bouquet. At the other extreme, Kabinett Rieslings are like late spring in Death Valley—nearly bone dry.

Millennials—the biggest, boldest wine consumers today—seek out the new and aren’t afraid of change, but they also demand to be informed. Which is why the Riesling Taste Profile scales (on the sides of many wine bottles now) are, in a word, genius! 26,000,000 bottles in the U.S. market now help you predict the taste in a particular bottle of Riesling.

This is sweet Riesling music to my ears!

Fave Sips

• Mud House Riesling Waipara Valley New Zealand 2014
• Chateau Grand Traverse Riesling Semi Dry Riesling 2011
• Dr. Frank Dry Riesling 2012
• Jim Barry ‘The Lodge Hill’ Dry Riesling 2013
• Spy Valley Envoy Riesling 2009
• Tierce Finger Lakes Dry Riesling 2009
• J.J. Prum 2010 Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese

Great Eats

If you go the sweet route, Asian fare, Indian food, spicy sausage and charcuterie perfectly contrast that Riesling sugar kick that cools down spicy grub. If you grabbed a dry Riesling, choose crisp seafood, shellfish or grilled chicken to complement the crisp mineral, zesty lemon/lime and tropical stylings of this favorite spring varietal.

The Unforgettable Kiss

Tierce Dry Riesling from Finger Lakes, New York, gained rock star status in 2013 when President Obama served it at his second inaugural luncheon. When I judged the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competi­tion—created by winemakers Peter Bell of Fox Run Vineyards, Johannes Reinhardt of Anthony Road Winery, and David Whiting of Red Newt Cellars—my taste buds were ravished by this amazing white. Wine genius Dan Berger recently dubbed a 2008 Tierce “the best dry Riesling ever made in the United States.” Enough said!

Happy Summer Sips and stay tuned to Wine Channel TV for more summer sips coming next month!

WINE CHANNEL TV AND FORMENTO’S LAUNCH SIPS OF SUMMER WINE SERIES

Chicago’s Fulton Market District Takes Center Stage for

Summer Wine Events with Wine Channel TV and Formento’s

CHICAGO, IL (June 12, 2017) — Wine Channel TV and Formento’s are giving Chicago area wine drinkers a reason to celebrate with the launch of Sips of Summer wine events in the dynamic Fulton Market District of Chicago. The series of 6 themed wine events from June through September, kicks off on June 29, 2017 featuring a “Tastes of Sicily” theme.

“This is such an exciting time for wine and food enthusiasts here in Chicago, and around the world,” said Jessica Altieri, CEO-Certified Sommelier, Wine Channel TV. “We are creating a fun and interactive evening with fantastic bites from Formento’s and bringing to life some of the world’s great wine brands.”

“Formento’s is very excited to partner with Wine Channel TV, and to host this unique program throughout the summer,” said Todd Stein, Executive Chef of Formento’s. “We look forward to supporting wine and lifestyle brands and bringing in enthusiasts from Chicago and beyond!”

These 2 hour “live experience” events will feature a wine tasting led by Jessica Altieri, a signature food pairing by Chef Todd Stein, bites from Formento’s and beverages by the sponsor wine brand, interaction with lifestyle brands, Facebook Live streaming with special guests and a raffle.

Formento’s and Wine Channel TV will continue to announce the upcoming themes, dates and sponsors for the remaining Sips of Summer events in the coming weeks.

About Formento’s

Located in the Fulton Market District in Chicago’s bustling West Loop, Formento’s is a true Italian restaurant focused on hospitality. Created as a nod to the co-owner’s grandmother, guests will enjoy traditional Italian family recipes, alongside modern Italian-American favorites. Formento’s menu highlights cherished cuisine in an elevated dining establishment. In addition, Formento’s features a comprehensive wine and beverage program. The wine program is a beautifully curated list, predominantly highlighting wines from Italian regions. Formento’s also features the West Loop’s largest private dining space for a variety of events.

About Wine Channel TV: Founded by award winning CEO – Certified Sommelier, Jessica Altieri, Wine Channel TV ( www.winechanneltv.tv ) and Wine Channel TV Media(www.wctvmedia.com) is the leading digital video network in the wine lifestyle and entertainment market, educating and entertaining millennial and tech savvy wine enthusiasts around the world.

Online link to the press release for Sips of Summer is here: 

http://www.wineindustryadvisor.com/2017/06/12/wine-channel-tv-formentos-sips-summer

5 Great Ways to Sip and Shop In Chicago This Summer

What goes better than sipping a glass of wine and shopping? Chicago offers a lot for visitors and residents who enjoy the finer things in life. Summer is here, and you will find many fun activities to enjoy in Chicago. Take a look at these top 5 picks for sipping wine and shopping.

1. Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival

Browse a selection of over 90 artist’s works over the 385 acres. This festival boasts a variety of local food options to choose from. It is a celebration of art and nature that focuses on a botanical motif. It is an annual event that has a lot going on.

2. Pitchfork Music Festival

The Pitchfork Music Festival happens in Union Park. Enjoy live music, shop vendors, and participate in all of the fun. There are plenty of eating and drinking options to choose from. This year, the Pitchfork Music Festival will occur between July 14- July 16.

3. Taste of Chicago

Taste of Chicago is the world’s largest food festival and it takes place every year. Along with a variety of foods from all over the world, there is music and activities for everyone. Taste of Chicago has happened every year since 1980 at Chicago’s beautiful Grant Park.

4. Friday Art Markets

The Friday Art Markets take place in Daley Plaza. Drink wine from one of the many restaurants and walk through displays of local art and vendors. It’s located in the Loop in Downtown Chicago. It’s a busy area with a famous sculpture named “Picasso,” and with more than 500,000 people visiting it every day.

5. Renegade Craft Fair’s Chicago Pop-Up

Enjoy food and wine from local vendors. A huge selection of handmade goods such as clothes, cosmetics, jewelry, and art make this a fun destination for shopping and wine in Chicago. Renegade Craft Fair is the world’s largest curated showcase for art and design.

Why Wine Tastes Better With Jazz

Ramsey Lewis has recorded over 80 albums and has received seven gold records and three Grammy Awards so far in his career. His perfect pairing includes his award winning wife, Jan Lewis, who has designed custom jewelry for the Oscars.  His inspiration for music and passion for life, comes in many forms, but usually includes a glass of wine while relaxing at home.  His secret sauce for success; “really, really, love what you do”.

Besides winning 3 Grammys, and carrying the Olympic torch, it’s safe to say Ramsey Lewis enjoys life. What’s his recipe for life and success? What wine is he sipping these days? Who’s behind the inspiration of his legendary album, “Sun Goddess”? Grab a bottle and start searching the internet. Or watch this video…..

Stay tuned to Wine Channel TV for more “sips of summer”!

How To Sip White Wine In Chicago

It's not a night out in Chicago without a taste of one of these local elixirs. The wine selection in this town is impeccable, but these particular pours are worth a special celebration.

Try a bottle (or two, or three) of these angelic whites for your next indulgent night out.

1. Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar: Michel Gahier "Les Crets" Chardonnay (Arbois, Jura, France)

That's right. This knockout bottle spent the past decade primping and polishing for your tasting pleasure.

2. D.O.C. Wine Bar: King Estate Pinos Gris (Willamette Valley, Oregon)

From the luscious forests of western Oregon comes this juicy favorite.

3. Vera Restaurant & Wine Bar: Pierre Bonnet Val De Loire Chenin Blanc (Saumur, France)

Crisp, refreshing, and perfect for pairing with your favorite vegetable dish. 

4. Bin 36: Weinkellerei H. Lun "Albertus Cantina Vini" Gewurztraminer (Sudtirol-Alto Adige, Italy)

Come and savor one of the most poignant flavors you'll ever experience.

5. Ampersand Wine Bar: Fernlands Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)

Got a taste for island life? Known for its impeccable Sauvignon Blancs, this region of New Zealand is a hidden treasure for winos everywhere.

6. Enolo Wine Cafe: Nautilas, Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)

Another gem from the Southern Hemisphere, this Sauv. Blanc is a people-pleaser.

7. DiSotto Enoteca: Nuevo Mundo Sauvignon Blanc (Maipo Valley, Chile)

Chilean wines are the unsung heroes of vino and this delicacy from Maipo Valley never disappoints.

8. Boarding House: Balthasar Ress Riesling (Rheingau, Germany)

A Riesling is a Riesling is a Riesling. If you're looking for a sweet escape with a little kick to it, this one is for you.

9. J9 Wine Bar: Chateau Montelena Chardonnay (Napa Valley, California)

Of course, it's not a white wine list without a splendid Chardonnay. Ordering without a menu never tasted so good.

10. 404 Wine Bar: Biohof Pratsch Grüner Veltliner (Austria)

Truly, this Grüner Veltliner is a mouthful to say and to sip.