Beverly Hills Sommelier Cristie Norman Is ‘Kind of Obsessed’ With Pinot Noir and Sour Beer | VinePair

VinePair spoke with Los Angeles sommelier Cristie Norman about her favorite wine bar, Pinot Noir’s potential as a partner, and more. When Cristie Norman registered to take the Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory Exam, it posed a peculiar problem for the educational body. Candidates must be 21 to register, but Norman was only 20 and wanted to take the test just a few days after her 21st birthday. After some administrative wrangling, she was able to sit for the exam on her preferred date. She completed the paper in five minutes and… Read More

Interview with Justin Smith of Saxum Vineyards, Cult Wine King of Paso Robles

Justin Smith looks and acts a little like The Dude, Jeff Bridges’ world-class slacker from the Coen Brothers classic, “The Big Lebowski.” But don’t let that resemblance fool you. Smith is not the kind of guy to sit around in his housecoat drinking White Russians all day. His small-output Paso Robles winery, Saxum Vineyards, has produced some of the most highly rated wine in America over the last few years. Interview by Paul Hodgins on a trip visiting Justin Smith at Saxum Vineyards in Paso Robles. Waiting >>>more Source: Interview with Justin… Read More