We won't let our expert wine guests leave the studio until they answer our "Wine List." Their answers provide insight and great suggestions for our listeners.
LAURA CATENA
BODEGA CATENA ZAPATA / Mendoza, ARGENTINA, SOUTH AMERICA
What are you drinking now?
White wine, Penedes from Spain
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Pumpkin ravioli and Catena Chardonnay
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Buenos Aires Restaurant, NYC
Francis Mahlman 1884, Argentina
Pall Mall, London
Favorite all time wine?
1997 Catena Nicolas Catena, 1939 Chateau Latour
Best wine under $15?
Red: Catena Cabernet
White: Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc
Weekly Wine Sip:
2013 Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec, $16-20
The wine is deep dark red, a nose of violets, black cherries, on the palate, black fruits, juicy acidity and a full-bodied mouthfeel. Pairs well with red meats and BBQ. Liked It
HUGH CRICKMORE
WINE DIRECTOR, ROBERTA'S + BLANCA / BROOKLYN, NYC
What are you drinking now?
Nebbiolo, basic to Barolo
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Champagne and roast chicken
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Four Horsemen, Brooklyn
Favorite all time wine?
Bonne Mare Chambolle Musigny
Best wine under $15?
Red: Cote du Rhones
White: Veneto, Orvieto, Soave, and Puzelat from Loire Valley France
Weekly Wine Sip:
2014 Vietti Dolcetto d' Alba Tre Vigne, Italy, $16-20
The wine is a purple red color with a blue hue, a nose of of black cherry, raspberry and blueberry, on the palate, black and red cherries and minerals, moderate acidity and a medium bodied mouthfeel. Pairs well with Pizza, red sauce, and sausage. Love It
KIMBERLY PROKOSHYN
HEAD SOMMELIEr, REBELLE NYC / new york, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
2014 Jammet Cote du Rhone
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Beaujolais and roast chicken
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels, NYC
Favorite all time wine?
1986 Roulot Perrieres White Burgundy
Best wine under $15?
Red: Beaujolais, Morgon Lapierre
White: Pepiere Muscadet
Weekly Wine Sip:
2012 Domaine des Versauds Morgon, France, $16-20
Transparent ruby red and crimson, a nose of red currants, fig, kirsch, on the palate, red berries, medium mouthfeel and acidity. Pairs well with grilled chicken or pork chop. Didn't Like It
ALICE PAILLARD
BRUNO PAILLARD CHAMPAGNE / Reims, FRANCE
What are you drinking now?
Mosel Riesling
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Rose Champagne and seabass
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Le Bonne Samp O Samp, Paris
Favorite all time wine?
1996 Paillard Blanc de Blanc Premier Cuvee
1982 Brane Cantenac Bordeaux
Weekly Wine Sip:
Mixed Vintage Bruno Paillard Extra Brut Champagne, France, $45-55
The wine is a golden hue with small to medium bubbles, a nose of toast and pears, on the palate, apples and a medium-bodied mouthfeel with a long finish. Pairs well with well, anything. Oysters anyone? Liked It
JUSTIN CHEARNO
THE FOUR HORSEMEN / BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
Lirac, Eyrolles, South Rhone, France
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Pet Nat Sparkling Wine and fried chicken
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Le Chateaubriand, Paris
Favorite all time wine?
Guy Breton Beaujolais
Claire Naudin Burgundy
Best wine under $15?
Red: Beaujolais Village
White: Mark Ollivier Muscadet
Weekly Wine Sip:
2014 Michel Gassier Costieres de Nimes Nostre Pais from So. Rhone France, $16-20
Pale gold color, a nose of citrus blossom and white flower, on the palate, green apple with good acidity and freshness. Pairs well with seafood and shellfish. Liked It
KEVIN ZRALY
WINDOWS ON THE WORLD WINE SCHOOL / new york, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
2013 Bordeaux's, St. Joseph, Cornas
Gigondas from the Rhone in France
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Sirloin and Cab
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Nomad, NYC
Aureole, NYC
Favorite all time wine?
Chateau Latour
Best wine under $15?
Red: Rioja, Spain, Cote du Rhone Village, France, Chianti
White: Riesling, Macon Chardonnay, France
Weekly Wine Sip:
1997 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon from the cellar (not readily available) $150
Blue purple color with minimal bricking, a nose of cassis, chocolate and cedar, on the palate, dark black fruits, firm tannins and bright acidity. Pairs well with steak, roasts, chops. Loved It
Michael Madrigale
VP, Digital Sales, Wine Access, SOMMELIER / new york, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
Muscadet, Jura, Loire, Vouvray, France
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Sushi and Champagne
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Pearl and Ash, NYC
Rebelle, NYC
Favorite all time wine?
1971 Ponsot Clos La de la Roch
Best wine under $15?
Red: Nero D' Avola, Montepulciano, Italy
White: Pepiere Muscadet
Weekly Wine Sip:
2014 Chateau La Touche Muscadet Sevre et Maine, France, $11-15
Pale straw color, a nose of grapefruit, flowers and minerals, on the palate crisp, citrus, minerals with good acidity. Pairs well with shellfish and seafood. Liked It
Hillary Zio
SOMMELIER, Author / HUDSON, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
Chenin Blanc, Vouvray, Gamay, France, Rosso Di Montalcino, Italy
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Lemon Chicken and California Sauvignon Blanc, Sherry and Tuna Roll
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
David Burke Kitchen, NYC
Fish and Game, Hudson NY
Back Bar, Hudson NY
Favorite all time wine?
1982 Chateau Margaux
1988 Cheval Blanc
Best wine under $15?
Red: Sancerre Rouge Loire
White: Cava Bohigas, Spain
Favorite Thanksgiving wines?
Sangiovese from Italy, Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Weekly Wine Sip:
2013 Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Washington, USA, $10-15
Medium, pale yellow, a nose of lychee, citrus, some mint, on the palate, medium bodied with citrus and minerals subtle sweetness and integrated acidity. Pairs well with fish, chicken, seafood, pork. Loved It (for the price)
David White
TERROIRIST + Author, BUT FIRST CHAMPAGNE / Washington, DC
What are you drinking now?
Vernon Champagne, Savart Champagne, Julien Sunier Fleurie, France
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Pierre Gonon St. Joseph and a burger
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Pearl and Ash, NYC
Rebelle, NYC
Birds and Bubbles, NYC
Favorite all time wine?
1976 Jackie Truchot Burgundy, Selosse Cuvee Sustance
Best wine under $15?
Red: Mathiasson Tendu
White: Pepiere Muscadet
Weekly Wine Sip:
Gimmonet Grand Cru Cuis Champagne NV, $45-55
Pale yellow color with medium bubbles, on the nose, apple on the palate, polished and vibrant, with juicy apple. Pairs well with anything; try fried chicken. Liked It
GARY VAYNERCHUK
WINE + TECH GURU / new york, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
Cali Chards, Aubert, Sbragia, Franciscan Cuvee Sauvage
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Captain Crunch and late harvest Alsace Riesling
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Charlie Bird, NYC
Terroir, NYC
Cru, NYC (now closed)
Veritas, NYC (now closed)
Favorite all time wine?
1982 Salon Champagne
1947 Cheval Blanc
1985 Sassicaia
Best wine under $15?
Red: Touriga from Portugal
White: Foxglove Chardonnay
Weekly Wine Sip:
2003 Shafer Hillside Select, California, from the cellar, (not readily available) $250-275
Inky purple color, a nose of black and blue berries, some smoke and licorice. On the palate, black currants, charcoal, licorice with sweet tannins and a full dense mouthfeel. Pairs well with grilled meats and chops. Loved It
Jon Bonné
AUTHOR + WINE CRITIC / SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
What are you drinking now?
Muscadet and Vermentino from Italy and France
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Piedmont pasta with truffles and Barolo
Spicy Szechuan and Chinon from France
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Compagnie des Vins Surnatural, NYC
Favorite all time wine?
Hard to pick one
Best wine under $15?
Red: Beaujolais Village, John Paul Brun
White: Pepiere Muscadet, Mark Olivier White Label Muscadet
Weekly Wine Sip:
2013 Chateau Fontanes Les Traverses de Fontanes, Languedoc, France, $18
Medium purple color, on the nose, black fruit, some red berries, peppery, on the palate, dark fruits, licorice, medium bodied mouthfeel. Pairs well with BBQ, red meats, pork. Liked It
josh greene
editor + publisher, wine & Spirits / new york, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
Wines from the Finger Lakes in NY, Boomer Creek White Horse Cab France
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Lopez de Heridia Rioja and blood sausage or chorizo
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Rouge Tomate, NYC
Favorite all time wine?
2002 Champagne, Krug, Bollinger, Cristal
Best wine under $15?
Red: Beaujolais Cru, Morgon
White: Vinho Verde from Portugal
Weekly Wine Sip:
Benoit Lahaye Champagne Nature Brut NV, $60-65
Golden color, small bubbles, a nose of biscuit, on the palate ,golden fruits, white peaches with an earthiness, multidimensional. Pairs well with, well everything; try sushi. Liked It
Steve Reynolds, Heidi Barrett Peterson, and Anthony Bell
DECANTED / NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
What are you drinking now?
HBP: 25 Cabernet Sauvignons in cooperage trial of 25 different barrels
SR: Tequila
AB: Wines from the Rhone, Grenache
Favorite wine and food pairing?
HBP: Dry Muscat and oysters
SR: White Burgundy and scallops
AB: Cab Sauv and steak
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
HBP: Goose and Gander, Napa
SR: Lunch on the deck at Auberge with some bubbly, then a greasy burger at Rutherford Bar and Grill
AB: Bistro Jeanty, Yountville
Favorite all time wine?
HBP: 1992 Screaming Eagle, still hold the record at the Napa Wine Auctions
SR: Heidi Barrett's wine, 2007 Reynolds Family Winery, 2007 Stags Leap Reserve Cabernet
AB: 1991 Bell Wine Cellars Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bell's first vintage
Weekly Wine Sip:
None this week
NED BENEDICT AND BRYAN GARCIA
GRAND CRU SELECTIONS / new york, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
NB: Chablis from France
BG: Light bodied red wine from Spain and Canary Islands, Ribeira Sacra
Favorite wine and food pairing?
NB: De Fermo Abruzzo, Italy with Korean food
BG: Bourgogne Rouge with Japanese food
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
NB: Maialino, NYC, any Danny Meyer restaurant because of its great Champagne service
BG: The Modern, NYC
Favorite all time wine?
NB: 1971 La Tache from Burgundy, France
BG: Noel Verset Cornas, France
Best wine under $15?
NB: White: Peppier Muscadet
BG: White: Jo Landron Muscadet, Loire, France. Red: Envinate, Spain
Weekly Wine Sip:
2015 Bodega Chacra Sin Azufre Pinot Noir from the Patagonia region of Argentina, $35
2015 Domaine du Pelican Arbois Savagnin Ouille white wine from the Jura region of France, $40
Loved Both
JASMINE HIRSCH
HIRSCH VINEYARDS / SONOMA, CALIFORNIA
What are you drinking now?
Chenin Blanc, France, Syrah- Wind Gap, Arnot Roberts, Peay, California
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Zuni (SF) roast chicken and Northern Rhone French Syrah
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Republique, Los Angeles
Nomad Bar, NYC
Favorite all time wine?
1964 Salon Champagne
2007 Kaiser Riesling, Germany
Best wine under $15?
Red: Envinate, Spain
White: Muscadet, Red
Weekly Wine Sip:
1999 Williams Selyem Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir, $75
2014 Hirsch Vineyards West and East Ridge Pinot Noir, $50
Loved Both
AMANDA SMELTZ
HEAD SOMMELIER, BAR BOULUD + BOULUD SUD / NEW YORK, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
Gut Oggau from Austria
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Vin jaunes from the Jura region of France and oysters
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Rouge Tomate, NYC
Walrus and the Carpenter, Seattle
Terroir, NYC
Brunette, Hudson, NY
Favorite all time wine?
1998 Noel Verset Cornas, France
Best wine under $15?
Red: Barbera D'Asti or Alba from the Piedmont section of Italy
White: Kunstler Riesling, Germany
Weekly Wine Sip:
2015 Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Riesling from Mosel, Germany, $15-17
Liked It
KAREN MacNeil
author, the wine bible / napa, california
What are you drinking now?
Pinot Noir from California and Oregon. Failla, Williams Selyem, and Big Table Farm
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Champagne and potato chips, Dry aged steak and Napa Cabs
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Press, Napa
Any seaside tavern in Spain, Italy or Croatia
Favorite all time wine?
I hope I haven't tasted it yet. Any wine that makes you stop in your tracks and makes you say OMG.
Best wine under $15?
Red: Campo de Borja, Spanish
White: Chateau St. Michelle Riesling, Washington State
Weekly Wine Sip:
None this week
Pascaline Lapeltier, Ms
Beverage Director + partner, rouge tomate / NEW YORK, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
Sour Beer, Cantillon and Cider from NY State
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Chenin Blanc and pork rillette or fish
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Racine's, NYC
Ten Bells, NYC
Compagnie, NYC
Septime, Paris
Favorite all time wine?
Muscadet, Jo Landron, Mark Olivier, L'Ecu
Best wine under $15?
Red: Cote de Duras, Mouthes Le Bihan, SW France
White: Txaolina from Spain by Bengoetxe
Weekly Wine Sip:
2014 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel from Sonoma County, CA, $37-45
Loved It
DANIEL JOHNNES
Wine Director, Dinex restaurant group, Founder, La Paulee + wine Importer / LYON, FRANCE
What are you drinking now?
Savoie, near Lyon, France
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Foie Gras and Chateau d 'Yquem
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Rebelle, NYC
Bar Boulud, NYC
Favorite all time wine?
1976 La Mouline, Rhone France
Best wine under $15?
Red: Cab Franc from Anjou, France
White: Muscadet
Weekly Wine Sip:
2015 Domaine Laroche Saint Martin Chablis from Northern Burgundy, $19-22
Liked It A Lot
Adam sachs
Editor in Chief, Saveur / NEW YORK, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
Morgon and light reds from France. Anything sparkling
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Wine and Food Pairing is Bullshit! People overthink pairing.
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Contra, NYC
Wildair, NYC
Clown Bar, Paris
Ved Standen 10, Copenhagen
Favorite all time wine?
Domaine Tempier Bandol, and Champagne, France
Favorite food author?
AJ Liebling
Weekly Wine Sip:
2014 Saveur Selects Petite Sirah from the Saveur Wine Club, $38.99 for 2 bottle club membership
Liked It
laura Maniec, MS
OWNER, CORKBUZZ / NEW YORK, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
Orange Wine, Georgian wines, and Gruner Veltliner from Austria
Champagne from the Aube Region, Marie Courtin and Drappier
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Moroccan red wine and lamb with harissa
Champagne and fried foods like chicken and french fries
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Rouge Tomate, NYC
Gramercy Tavern, NYC
Favorite all time wine?
1999 Raveneau Le Clos Chablis
Best wine under $15?
Red: Sangiovese from Tuscany like Chianti Classico
White: Gruner Veltliner from Wimmer Czerney
Champagne: Savart, Bereche, and Calsac (all more than $15, but value Champagnes)
Weekly Wine Sip:
2009 Schramsberg Brut Rose sparkling wine, $30-40
2015 Ioppa Rusin Colline Novaresi Nebbiolo, $18
Loved It
kris matthewson
Winemaker + Proprietor, Bellwether Wine Cellars / finger lakes, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
German and Austrian Riesling, and Chablis from France
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Beef Tartare with Pinot Noir or Gamay
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Rebelle, NYC
Four Horsemen, NYC
Just A Taste, Ithaca (Finger Lakes)
Graft, Watkins Glen (Finger Lakes)
Favorite all time wine?
Dr. Burklin-Wolf Spatlese, '90's, and Weingut Heymann-Lowenstein Late Harvest Dessert Wine
Best wine under $15?
Red: Finger Lake's Pinot Noir and Cab Franc
White: Beaujolais Blanc
Who else is making good wine in the Finger Lakes?
Weimer, Nathan Kendall, Ian Barry, and Chris Bates, to name a few.
Weekly Wine Sip:
2014 Bellwether Sawmill Creek Vineyard Dry Riesling, $23
2014 Bellwether Sawmill Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir, $32
2107 Bellwether Rose of Pinot Noir, $19
Loved Them All
rajat parr
Winemaker + sommelier / SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA
What are you drinking now?
Beaujolais, Jean Louis Dutraive and Foillard gamay
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Roast Chicken and a green salad with a St. Joseph from the Northern Rhone by Pierre Gonon or Jean Louis Chave
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Rebelle, NYC
Zuni Cafe, SF
Favorite all time wine?
1986 Raveneau Le Clos Chablis, consumed with Robert Bohr in 1996
Best wine under $15?
Red: Gamay, Lapierre Raisins Galois
White: Muscadet, Peppiere
Who else is making good wine in the Finger Lakes?
Weimer, Nathan Kendall, Ian Barry, and Chris Bates, to name a few.
Weekly Wine Sip:
2014 La Source Pinot Noir by Evening Land made by Raj Parr.
Retails for around $70 and is available by mailing list, finer restaurants and wine stores.
Loved It
CALEB Ganzer
WINE DIRECTOR + MANAGING PARTNEr, COMPAGNIE DES VINS SURNATURELS / NEW YORK, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
Pet Nats, natural sparkling wines.
Favorite wine and food pairing?
A minimal Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc) from the Loire Valley of France and a local goat cheese from the Loire
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Rouge Tomate, NYC
Reynard, Brooklyn
Ventre, Paris
Favorite all time wine?
1982 Haut Brion French Bordeaux consumed on Caleb's 22nd B'Day at Charlie Trotter's in Chicago
Best wine under $15?
Red: 2015 M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila Haut Cotes du Roussillon Villages
White: Freixenet Sparkling Cava
Weekly Wine Sip:
2015 M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila Haut Cotes du Roussillon Villages
Retails for around $15
Loved It
paul greico
GENERAL MANAGER, TERROIR / NEW YORK, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
Everything!
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Riesling Kabinett from the Mosel River Valley in Germany and Raisin Bran
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Roberta's Pizza; the food and wine is well chosen.
Favorite all time wine?
Chateau Musar from Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, Serge Hochar the winemaker (deceased) has created an experience of place, family and history.
Best wine under $15?
Go to you local wine store, establish trust, put down your $15 and tell him what you like. What wines made you feel something, tell them to get you something like that! It's a world of wine, explore.
Weekly Wine Sip:
2013 von Hovel Scharzhofberg Saar Riesling Kabine, $22-25
Loved It
Dustin Wilson
GENERAL MANAGER, TERROIR / NEW YORK, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
Northern Rhone wines, Pierre Gonon, St Joseph, Monier Perreol, St Joseph, Domaine Julien Cecillon.
Favorite wine and food pairing?
The classic, Champagne and oysters.
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Compagnie des vins Surnaturels, NYC
Frasca, Boulder, CO
Favorite all time wine?
After passing the MS test, a 1980 La Tache Burgundy with good friends.
Best wine under $15?
Red- Colmbera and Gorella, Coste della Sesia, Alta Piemonte Nebbiolo
White- Complemen'Terre Muscadet
Weekly Wine Sip:
2012 Cervaro della Salle from Umbria Italy made by Antinori
Liked It
Patrick Capiello
Wine Director, Rebelle / NEW YORK, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
Whole cluster Syrah from the Norther Rhone, Darde and Ribo and Piere Gonon. Also Pax , Wind Gap and White Rose from the US.
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Cab Franc from the Chinon and Touraine in France, like Baudry or Raffault and pork shoulder.
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Compagnie, NYC
Ten Bells, NYC
Favorite all time wine?
1990 Leroy Clos Vougeot Grand Cru Burgundy
Best wine under $15?
Red- Maconnais and Cote Chalonnaise from France and Chilean reds
White- Muscadet
Favorite bands and albums?
Bowie, Hunky Dory, Nirvana, Nevermind, Pearl Jam, Ten, Smashing Pumpkins
Weekly Wine Sip:
2003 Rochioli Estate Grown Chardonnay and 2016 Forty Ounce Muscadet
Retails for around $13-16
Loved Both
MICHELLE BISCIEGLIA
Wine Director, blue hill / NEW YORK, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
Light fresh whites, Pepiere Muscadet and Los Bermejos dry Malvasia from the Canary Islands.
Favorite wine and food pairing?
Her chef husband Simone Bonelli's simple pomodoro and spaghetti with a northern Piedmont Grigolino or Freisa red. Simone likes a Guido Marsella Fiano di Avellino red with pizza.
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Compagnie, NYC
Pasquale Jones, NYC
Favorite all time wine?
1966 Domaine Leroy Pommard, the wine that got Michelle into wine!
Best wine under $15?
Red- Beaujolais, Marcel Lapierre Raisins Galois
White- Vinho Verde from Portugal, Asnella
Hardest food to pair wine with?
Pickled grilled parsnip steak with a Spanish Lopez de Heredia Rioja
Weekly Wine Sip:
2015 La Spinetta Tuscan Vermentino
Really Liked It
Heidi Turzyn
Wine Director, GOTHAM BAR AND GRILL / NEW YORK, NEW YORK
What are you drinking now?
Austrian Rieslings, Pichler, Jager, and Knoll.
Favorite wine and food pairing?
A really crisp Riesling (a young Federspiel) with oysters or White Burgundy with halibut.
Favorite wine restaurant or bar?
Compagnie, NYC
Charlie Bird, NYC
Le Bernadin, NYC
Favorite all time wine?
1990 Armand Rousseau Chambertin
Best wine under $15?
Red- Cab Franc (Borgueil) from the Loire in France
White- Petit Chablis from Burgundy
Hardest food to pair wine with?
Pickled grilled parsnip steak with a Spanish Lopez de Heredia Rioja
Weekly Wine Sip:
2014 Rivers Marie Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
$45-55
Liked It