Tag Archives: Sommelier

[UPDATED] From Naples, Eric Larkee Conjures What to Watch in Wine in 2012

What will Eric pull out of his hat next?

Update: See Ellie’s documentation of the magical meal – including a live magic act performance – here!

The Genuine Hospitality Group Wine Director and Sommelier Eric Larkee is joining Michael and Hedy on the west coast of Florida this weekend for the Naples Winter Wine Festival.  The most successful charity wine auction in the nation since 2004 according to the Wine Spectator, it brings together the world’s finest vintners, chefs, wine collectors and philanthropists for a three-day gala hosted by the Naples Children & Education Foundation with proceeds benefiting local charities that assist underprivileged and at risk children.

With Larkee on pour patrol for a larger-than-life crowd at tonight’s vintner dinner for 30 featuring the wines of Shea Wine Cellars and Vega Sicilia with the genuine foods of chef Schwartz and pastry chef Goldsmith, we took the liberty of culling the essentials that you need to know from his noggin as we head into a brave new year of wine.  Below please find his four things to watch in wine in 2012, which you will find reflected in our restaurant group wine programs, and click here for tonight’s menu and here for background on the vintners. Continue reading

Hello My Name Is… Eric Larkee, Sommelier

Sommeliers are usually pretty popular folks.  The cool thing about our Eric is that it’s not only because he’s gets great wine into the restaurant and to your table.  It’s the way he presents them — collaborative with the diner and with a mysterious mixture of wit and smarts that keeps you coming back for more.

His delivery is on-par with his list, creative and always ahead-of-trend, like the viura Rioja Crianza blanca  (2000) and white burgundy Leroy Chardonnay (1997,) both new by the glass.

I’m very bummed to have missed his “How to Manage a Successful Wine List” seminar at the Miami International Wine Fair on Saturday and am hoping to blog that exact topic on the blog soon… Until then, we promise his answers to our questionnaire will keep you amused! Continue reading