Hip Tastes Blog

Le Power Panel: The Good Life @ UCLA Alumni Day 5/5 (Pinching Myself)

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:47:51 -0800

"The call." You know what I'm talking about. The call that makes or breaks a deal, a heart or something else very important. Sometimes "the call" is unexpected. I received one of these earlier this spring when UCLA called out of the blue, inviting me to be a panelist at Alumni Day. The panel was to be called The Good Life, and my co-stars would include a VP/TV judge from The Food Network (Susie Fogelson), a Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic from the LA Times (Jonathan Gold AKA @thejgold to his Tweeps), a food radio maven/resto-preneur hottie (Evan Kleiman, like myself hailing from both UCLA undergrad & the Anderson MBA program) and a lovely culinary book/TV impresario (Amy E. Goodman). I must admit I practically shouted "YES" to the folks on the other end of the phone. It was a totally un-cool moment, one in which I completely geeked out and gushed to excess - and one in which I knew that, well, I'm in love with UCLA. And UCLA loves me back.

Wine is to Men as Handbags are to Women?

Tue, 08 May 2012 07:34:57 -0800

While I have occasionally been known to rapture about a particular bottle of wine (any number of soulful West Coast Pinots come to mind), I am more often mystified by the reverence with which uber geeks - many of them men - approach certain "it" wines. The coveting, the plotting, saving, acquiring and subtle showing off of prized vinous acquisitions - these are qualities I find much more correlated to the way that women approach handbags. After all, if I a might be considered the Carrie Bradshaw of wine, then surely there is something in this.

Vogue contributing editor Plum Skyes invoked Ms. Bradshaw herself in "Second Chances," a meditation on the return of the iconic Fendi Baguette in the February issue of Vogue. More than a decade after Carrie Bradshaw was famously mugged on Sex & the City for her purple sequired version - having already inspired an army of It Girls across the globe to carry the luxury bag - the Italian label is reissuing some old favorites, with novel embellishments (for the unitiated: "baguette"s were named for the loaves of French bread you carry under your arm). While Ms. Sykes pondered whether an "it" bag of old could be newly covetable again (spoiler!: she concludes it could), I couldn't help but wonder: why don't women ever get this excited about buying wine?

After several glasses of that tonic and a bit of contemplation, my theory is this: women's take on wine focuses on consumption (yes, I'll take that much-needed after-work buzz, thank you very much), pairing and sharing. While we'd like to have a stash of great wines to pull from for as-yet-unplanned meals and cocktail soirees, wine is not something we worry about stockpiling. And we certainly don't need to peacock our vinous wares. We've already got handbags for that! To the ladies out there: wouldn't you rather rock a reissued python Fendi baguette (see below) in an almost psychedelic pop of various hues than a DRC? (You know your answer is an unhesitating yes.)

The price tag's not that different, nor is the statement these items are making, really. They're both about a show of wealth, about status, signal a certain amount of style, perhaps even intelligence (Carrie always had a knowing smile, didn't she?). But they express these qualities in ways that appeal to the signaler wholly differently. And even if I had several glasses more, for the life of me I still couldn't tell you exactly why. I could only tell you that if Fendi teamed up with DRC to create a wine bottle-inspired baguette, I'd be all over that. Oh, and: SJP? She surely would approve.

Macy's Capsule Collection Heat: Stylish Sips for Ferretti Fashionistas

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:26:50 -0800

Dream collaboration announcement: I was recently asked to create a tasting around Alberta Ferretti's new capsule collection for Macy's Impulse. HeLO amazing fashion opportunity! It gets better: they're dressing me in the clothes. It's all going down at Macy's SF Tues. April 17 and called, officially: Stylish Sips: Wine Pairings for Ferretti Fashions. I'll be creating a tasting around four featured outfits (so the wine will literally be paired with the fashion), plus styling food pairings to match. It's like, FREE (!) to attend, but RSVP is a must.

Oh, and they'll have personal shoppers on hand for those of you who'd like some extra attention (you know who you are). Let's share a drink to being ever more fashionable. Drop me an email or leave a comment here if you'd like to be added to the guest list. - xoxo, CC

Pre V Day Treat: HIP TASTES Speed Tasting @ Press Club 2.8, 3.7

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:57:54 -0800

Hip Tastes brings you speed dating, with wine. Why meet strangers with nothing in your glass when you could sip on something tasty while stumbling through awkward first-encounter banter? Taste five wines and meet ten strangers, leave at least wiser about what's in your glass. And you never know: you just might find a new partner while you're at it. And we don't just mean drinking partner.

The nitty gritty:

* hetero singles 25-35
* 5 minute meetings
* tasting flight of 5 eclectic pours (ice breaker: talk about what's in the glass!)
* we'll synch you up via email with your mutual matches after the event

See? Easy.

Where?
PRESS CLUB
20 YERBA BUENA LANE, SF 94103

2.7.12 - Learn More/Sign Up
3.8.12 - Learn More/Sign Up

Extra, Extra! Become a Bottling Wunderkind, Get Cool Cred @ Hip Tastes Bottling School

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:40:41 -0800

Enter to be considered for a spot on the bottling line for Hip Tastes' new red blend - our first-ever commercially available wine - debuting this spring! A small group of Hip Tasters will pitch in over barrel samples and snacks at Oakland's Urban Legend Cellars this Saturday 2/4/12 (note: timing and details to be confirmed once bottling team selected). To be considered, visit our Facebook page, like us and post a note on our wall telling us why you would make the best wine bottler ever.

Extra points for creativity, natch.

The Bachelor Weekly Updates: Winemaker Hottie, Drunken Confessionals, Cat Fights!

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:44:13 -0800

[photo: ABC]
When my editor at food blog Eater SF - where I dish on beverage-related gossip in a recurring column called The Swill - asked me to document this season of ABC's The Bachelor, I quickly accepted the challenge. With SF-based Sonoma winemaker Ben Flajnik of Envolve Wines in the lead role, it's a choice opportunity to be dishy not only about wine, but about reality TV to boot (oh what a glorious pairing!). Check in on my coverage - updated weekly throughout the season - here at Eater, and stay tuned on Twitter, too. #TheBachelor hashy is a great read come Monday nights whether you're watching or not (if not, skip right to the recap on Tuesday).

Liquid Farm: Insanely Cute Wine People, Liquid Gold, Santa Rita Score

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:18:58 -0800

One of the most delightful new people I met - virtually, via Facebook in this case - in 2011 is Nikki Nelson of Liquid Farm. Nikki runs Liquid Farm - a 100% Chardonnay project - with her husband in Los Angeles, with the wine made in the Lompoc wine ghetto. She was kind enough to share with Hip Tastes these pics of her "Wine Nerd Wedding" with Jeff, a longtime rep for Henriot Champagne. After the jump, more on their in-the-vineyard nuptials (I so love this pic of them holding grapes in the vineyard, which they captioned "Chardonnay and Us") and the startup label, which takes inspiration from the whites of Burgundy but equally channels the richness and purity of the Santa Rita Hills. Onward, to wine geek fabulosity!

Auction Me (Literally), Plus: Bazaar Gifting, Culinary-preneur Hotness Tonight!

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:06:15 -0800

It's T minus one hour to La Cocina's annual holiday gift bazaar in the Mish. This is just a quick note to say that if you're looking for something to do tonight and you love supporting local food talent while also finding totally fabulous stocking stuffers and hostess gifts and pantry musts this time o' year - then head over to the Mission Cultural Center tonight for some goodies between 5 and 9.

AND, don't forget to check out La Cocina's silent auction - which runs through the 12th - online. I am offering a private in-home tasting and 3 signed copies of Hip Tastes! Talent is fierce on the auction roster with heat coming from the likes of Chez Panisse, Food Network hottie Aida Mollenkamp and more - please help me represent! Proceeds go to this fantastic non-profit that makes a wonderful impact on our community while enriching lives and enabling business building dreams. ;)

Silent Auction overview
My item @ eBay

- CC

Mechanical Pipettes, Hot Pink Pens, Cool Amador Pours, Or: Blending at Urban Legend

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:21:19 -0800

Last week I paid a visit to the affable Steve and Marilee Shaffer at Urban Legend Cellars, their Oakland-based vinous outpost that strikes quite the appropriately urbane mold. I'm working with Steve and Marilee to create the next Hip Tastes blend, a red featuring Amador County fruit to be released March 31, 2012 at a splashy HIP TASTES Event at the winery (mark your calendars!!).

At their website, Steve and Marilee describe themselves as: "Husband and wife, serial entrepreneurs, high tech alumnae, flavor junkies, and, likely, moderately crazy, but in a nice, togetherness sort of way (would that be a folie a deux?)." Check out the Flickr album for more on their technicolor tasting room, cool mechanical pipettes for blending (srsly high tech!), our method and the day that was. Oh, and there's also a pic of my cool new cowboy boots for a hit of fashion flair. ;)

AND: Stay tuned for more on what's shaping up to be quite the exciting collaboration!

Photos Are IN: HIP TASTES: Mix It Up! + Debut Wine Capsule Collection

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:25:26 -0800

Hip Tasters gathered Saturday at Sutton Cellars for our first ever urban winery event with Twitter-powered scavenger hunt. Featuring the debut Hip Tastes wine (Hip Tastes Red!) and custom blended beverage-inspired scents, 'twas a merry day in Dogpatch. Stay tuned for more on future wine collaborations, events and Hip Tastes culture. For now, happy almost T Day. May you drink well and make many good memories with your nearest and dearest.

See the pics - by the one and only John Curley - at Flickr, and don't forget to "Like" Hip Tastes on Facebook! Images are posted there, too, so please tag yourself and share, share, share!

xoxo, Courtney

Gastro Highs, Cool Haunts & Hot Prizes for Hip Tasters in Dogpatch Tomorrow!

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:43:18 -0800

Now that there are numerous urban wineries in Dogpatch, a natural wine bar, several excellent restos, myriad catering companies, ice cream and chocolate purveyors (Recchiuti just opened YESTerday) and droves of hungry workers in the area's booming industrial spaces-cum-offices/workshops, Dogpatch has become an "it" 'hood bar none - especially for the gastronomically inclined. Tomorrow, Hip Tasters who come to Mix It Up! (2-5pm @ Sutton Cellars) will get an intimate look at more than a half dozen of these cool neighborhood haunts courtesy of our scavenger hunt, which will take place during the event. What could be better than a social media-powered 'hunt through this sweet emerging 'hood?? PRIZES.

That's right, there are quite a few of these to be had, including gift certificates for prime butcher cuts, ice cream, wine tasting and brunching. Oh, and an art class and made-to-order messenger bag, both of which are valued at a cool $100. Read on after the jump for a bit more on the businesses we'll visit. And, for goodness sakes, if you haven't bought your ticket yet, it's high time! Here's that link, and another to the full Flickr album for the businesses.

Black Rock City Cool, Sharp Dressing and Pro Surfer Envy - Or, Why John Curley's Pics Rule

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:07:06 -0800

This Saturday at Mix It Up! we can look forward to being snapped in all our finery by none other than John Curley, SF photog extraordinaire and all around bon vivant. I first met John when he photographed a 2006 Hip Tastes event for San Fran Mag, and then convinced him to shoot my SF book launch the following year. John's made a name for himself documenting the fabulosity of the Burning Man camp build each year, though he also shoots weddings, advertisements and much more. Look for him at the custom photo backdrop at Hip Tastes (props to include mustaches, suspenders, top hats, Wayfarers, more - it will be FUN) and throughout the event. Pics should be amazing and amusing, and I couldn't be more excited to be bringing John back into the Hip Tastes family. ;)

Read on for a Q&A with John and more of his images after the jump (more on those Burning Man collaborations, professional surfer envy, and adult beverages), and check back here next week for event pics. Oh, that's John in the top image.

PS: check out the San Fran Mag piece here + book party pics here.

Hot Shoes, Pre-Nuptial Excitement & "Mix It Up!" Flair Fabulosity

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:59:46 -0800

I met up with soon-to-be-wedded pal and expert-o-crafting-arts, Ariel Sutro, to put together decor and accessories for my upcoming Mix It Up! event (11/19). Not only is Ariel's SF abode super stylish, it's a veritable "bus station" (her words) of family members and friends shuttling through on various errands or to say hello. I'm thrilled she found time to help given all this activity and that her wedding is the weekend before my event.

Check out Ariel's GORG Givenchy wedding shoes - they fit right in with the be-feathered "flair" we created for Hip Tastes and set the tone for high style! After the jump, lots more pics from my visit and the story on the bespoke bouttonnieres, fascinators and feathered clips we're crafting for Mix It Up!. Peruse the full Flickr album here.

Pictured: Shoes, Ariel's pad, flair in process; below, Le Couple: Ariel with her fiance Josh at their joint bachelor/ette fete in Golden Gate park

MUST LOVE PIZZA (Match.com Vinous Fantasy + Existential Tomatoes)

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:27:56 -0800

Originally penned this for a freelance client who didn't love this wine, hence it's landing here (you may recall an earlier entry in which I teased the piece - but it didn't wind up being published after all). I'm a fan of this easy-drinking red so no matter. If you're acquainted with Match.com, it's almost a beat-by-beat adaptation of the profile format.

About Me & Who I'm Looking For: I'm looking for someone adventurous who loves to LOL, doesn't take himself too seriously, and - this part's a "must" - has a deep, uncompromising love of pizza. Deep dish, thin crust, New York, Neapolitan - it doesn't matter to me which type you [heart symbol] (though it's even better if you [heart symbol] them all). So long as you partake of the pie when we're together, this relationship is destined to be one with sizzle.

Vignoscenti, Willamette Valley Bender, "Smokin" Pours, T-Day Insights at Wine & Spirits Top 100

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:03:21 -0800

My coverage of last night's fabulous Top 100 tasting just dropped at EaterSF. Here's a teaser on the intro:

"The vignoscenti turned out in their best duds last night for the annual Wine & Spirits Top 100 tasting, a gustatory tour de force highlighting the best of some 10,000 wines the mag's staff samples annually. Many a back was slapped, luxe bubbly tippled and Hog Island oyster slurped against the winking backdrop of the SoMa skyline as seen from Cityview at the Metreon at dusk..." Full story at Eater

***
Read on here after the jump for more on one of my fav wines of the evening, a 100-year-old Sherry, and how it's hands-down the best tool for basting your turkey this Thanksgiving. Pictured, moi with said Sherry. (For all of my event snaps, check out my Flickr album.)