Archives

All posts for the month July, 2021

Champagne Alternatives

Posted by golfkat on July 30, 2021
Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Travel, Wine. 2 Comments

I always try to keep my every day wine and sparkling budget under $20.  Since I enjoy my sparkling wines, this always “limits” my choices to a sparkling wine other than champagne.  But it does not mean that I must sacrifice taste and enjoyment when I drink other sparklings.  Plus, why open a bottle of $60 to $100 bottle of champagne when I can only drink about half of it each evening?


Most of you know I am partial to both sparkling wines, called cremants, from Loire, and our own California sparkling wines.  In most cases, the cremants are in the $9 to$14 range, and the California sparklings are in the $30 to $40 range.  If I spread the cost over two evenings, my investment is minimal. 


One big change has occurred in Italy, where Prosecco rose’ is now legal, as of January 1.  Prior to this, “Prosecco’s Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) status didn’t allow for rosés. Wineries found a work-around by labeling pink fizz as spumante, but no longer. New regulations allow for actual Prosecco rosé, as long as it’s made from Glera (the grape of Prosecco) plus 10% to 15% Pinot Noir (hence the color). The Prosecco consortium estimates that total production of Prosecco DOC rosé may climb to 30 million bottles per year; cue the cheering from rosé and Prosecco fans alike.”


While I still prefer cremants and California sparklings over Prosecco, there are some reasonably well priced ($12-16) bottles.  I tried one from Trader Joe’s, but was not impressed.  Perhaps you have tried one and can recommend it to me.


A good every day Napa Valley sparkling is the NV Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut Sonoma Valley at only $22.  For a brut rose’, try the NV Scharffenberger Brut Rose’ Excellence ($23).


If you want to wander off the beaten path, try one of these:


NV Steller’s Jay Sparkling Rose’ ($27) from the Okanagan Valley (BC)


Really offbeat:  2017 William Chris Vineyards Petillant Naturel Rose’ Texas ($25)


France’s Limoux region has been making sparkling wines as early as 1531.  The Aimery cremant de Limoux is a bargain at $14.  It has become my every day sparkler.


My special occasion California sparkling wine is a Domaine Carneros brut ($24) or brut rose’ ($33), the Laetitia Vineyards (Arroyo Grande) brut ($29) or brut rose’ ($35).


And my special occasion Champagne is Taittinger Brut La Francaise ($50), and the Taittinger Prestige Rose’ Brut ($65).  And when things get really crazy, the Comtes brut rose’ ($260), but usually in a nice restaurant.  I was in Amsterdam and shared a bottle with a local television celebrity and his wife.


But whatever you do, and whatever your budget, enjoy what you like.  I am only offering suggestions, or what works for me.  Taste, affordability, and bubbles are the three key ingredients to my bubbly obsession.

Little Italy South (San Diego)

Posted by golfkat on July 29, 2021
Posted in: Cultures, Food, Shopping, Travel. Leave a comment

Travelzoo had some interesting information about San Diego’s Little Italy.  It has increasingly become one of my favorite places in the city.  Let’s see why.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised.  The Saturday street market is one of my favorite events here.  But any day is a good day here.

Thanks to waves of Sicilian and Ligurian immigrants who began building up San Diego’s tuna fishing industry in the 19th century, Italian culture figures prominently into the local mix, too. And as you might guess, Little Italy is the best place to find the vestiges. But as you might not guess, it’s also one of the best places to go for ground-breaking, news-making cuisine—plus some of the chicest décor and design shops in town.

For a quick historic overview, check out a few of the longstanding fixtures—from Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church (the nearly century-old spiritual heart of the neighborhood) to the Waterfront Bar and Grill (said to be the city’s oldest continually operating tavern, where Italian fishermen would relax after mending their nets outside the front door) to Mona Lisa Italian Foods (the old-school, family-run deli and restaurant whose sandwiches and slices are legendary).

You’ll also want to check out a few modern nods to the neighborhood’s Italian heritage: Piazza della Famiglia (a 10,000-square-foot plaza where you can enjoy takeout treats from the new Little Italy Food Hall), the more intimately scaled Piazza Basilone (a tribute to WWII Medal of Honor Recipient Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone); and—on Saturdays—the Little Italy Mercato (a vibrant, open-air market).  

But you’ve got to show up prepared for at least two meals: ideally, an old-school Italian lunch, followed by a long promenade—this would be the time to work in a visit to the chic Kettner Arts & Design District—and topped off with dinner at one of the city’s buzziest modern restaurants. These include Juniper & Ivy, Herb & Wood, Ironside Fish & Oyster (noticing a theme?).

In keeping with the alfresco theme (because every restaurant we’ve mentioned offers some version of it), wine lovers should make time to pull up a seat outside M Winehouse—a beloved wine bar that occupies the neighborhood’s oldest house: a tiny Victorian beauty that dates to 1888 and makes for the perfect place to toast to your neighborhood discoveries.

​

I love what the Little Italy Association says:  “Our business district is rooted in the toil of immigrants and the perseverance and optimism of a new group of business owners. The strength of their faith and our proximity to the waterfront is what has supported families in Little Italy for generations.” 


The city streetcar passes within a block or two of Little Italy.  Parking is rather difficult unless you are willing to pay.  My suggestion is to go for lunch, when it is less crowded.  The area is clean and safe. You will find some rather eclectic dishes.  I am still not sure about combining sushi with burritos.  Just remember, you can always go to the beach!


Every Saturday, from 8am to 2pm, the Little Italy Mercato takes over four blocks (West Date Street) in the neighborhood.  Over 85 vendors participate.  Of interest to me are the food vendors, as well as the fresh fruit vendors.  They even have a dog park!


I am here Tuesday to Thursday, so no Little Italy Street Market on this trip.  But I get to see a long time, dear friend, see a few ballgames, and enjoy the beautiful San Diego weather.

Olympics for Japan

Posted by golfkat on July 29, 2021
Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Sports, Travel. Leave a comment

With so much emphasis on the pandemic and its effect on the Olympics, very little is said about the country itself in the Olympic Games.  Japan first participated in the Games in 1912.  It was held in Stockholm, and Japan sent only two athletes.  One was a sprinter (Yahiko Michima), the other a marathoner (Shizo Kanakuri), but neither won medals.  Mishima made the semi finals, but Kanakuri did not finish his marathon.


With the popularity and proven skills of Naomi Osaka, it is no surprise that Japan’s first Olympic medal was in tennis at the 1920 Games in Antwerp, Belgium.  Seiichiro Kashio and Ichiya Kumagae won silver in the doubles, with Kumagae winning another silver in singles.  Osaka is the top-rated player in the world, and not coincidentally, the highest paid athlete in the world.


Overall, Japan has won 439 medals, including 41 at the recent 2016 Games in Rio.  And twelve were gold!  Japan has not fared as well in the Winter Games with only 58 medals.  Judo, as you might expect, is Japan’s most successful sport, with 39 Gold, out of a total of 84 medals.  In Rio in 2016, Japan won 12 gold, 8 silver, and 21 bronze, finishing 7th in the medal race.


Japan’s first gold medal was in the Triple Jump, Mikio Oda in 1928.  This was in the Summer Games in Amsterdam in 1928.  Fellow countryman Yoshio Tsuruda won a gold in swimming at the same games.  Many Japanese Americans have participated in the Olympics and won medals.


Japan has hosted the Olympics three times before, Tokyo Summer Games in 1964, and the Winter Games in Sapporo in 1972, and Nagano in 1998.  The men’s and women’s marathons will take place up north (500 miles) in Sapporo, where it should be much cooler.  This is the second time Tokyo has hosted the Paralympics, with the first back in 1964.  Tokyo was scheduled to host the 1940 games, but with the threat of war, the Olympics were moved to Helsinki.  But the 1960 Tokyo Games were the first to be broadcast internationally, with some events in color.


The Japan National Stadium is made of wood, sourced from all 47 of Japan’s prefectures.  The Games are focused on sustainability, as even the beds in the Olympic Village are made of cardboard, which will be recycled.


So, who will carry the Flags for Japan in the Opening Ceremony?  One very familiar name is NBA and former Gonzaga basketball star, Rui Hachimura.  The other is Yuri Susaki, and two time wrestling world champion.  I would have chosen Naomi Osaka and Hideki Matsuyama (winner of the Masters).  BTW, this is the first time in Olympic history that both a man and a woman will carry their country’s flag in the Opening Ceremonies.  Japan will have 580 athletes marching behind this pair.


This year, the 5000 medals won my athletes from around the world are made from precious metals extracted from disused electronic devices.  People in Japan were asked to donate disused electronics, like cell phones, for two years.  Almost 79 tons were collected.


With much attention placed on both American Jesse Owens and the despotic Hitler, people have long forgotten the plight of a Korean runner, Sohn Kee-Chung.  He won the marathon in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, but was forced to run for Japan, under the name of Son Kitei.  Why?  Korea was under the colonial rule of the Japanese Empire. The IOC corrected both is name and country in 2011.


Four new sports will be introduced in these Olympic Games, karate, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing.  Baseball and softball will make a comeback from 2008.  But how many will we see live with a 13-hour time difference?
As far as television, Swimming is the most watched sport, with nearly 1000 competitors from 170 countries.   

Gymnastics is always popular, from the days of Olga and Nadia, and now Simone.  Track and Field has over 2000 competitors, from 200 countries, in 47 events.  Basketball and soccer are generally popular events, but if the American teams lose early, interest could wane.  


Ralph Lauren is providing the opening ceremony unforms, basically blazers shoes, and even a mask.  But the unform features a cooling jacket, battery powered devices that create a cooling sensation on the back of the neck.


With both competitors and others falling like flies with Covid, I wonder if the Games can continue and for how long?  Masks will be worn by all competitors, officials and press.  Food is already an issue as well.  And the great stories and experiences in the Olympic Village will be very different this year.  Testing will be daily.


Japan has experienced almost 15,000 deaths due to Covid, and 842,000 coronavirus cases.


Yes, these Games will be different.  But for athletes who have worked so hard for the last four to five years, it is the opportunity of a lifetime.

Napa Vine Trail Update

Posted by golfkat on July 29, 2021
Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Sports, Travel, Wine. Leave a comment

If you did not already know, the Napa Vine Trial is a 47-mile walking and cycling trail, linking Vallejo with Calistoga, basically the entire Napa Valley.  I have ridden portions of this trail several times,  There are still sections that need development.


Background:  In 2008, the Napa Valley Vintners, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and the Land Trust founded the Vine Trail Coalition.  The Napa Valley Vine Trail will be a 47-mile walking & biking trail system to physically, artistically and culturally connect the entire Napa Valley from Calistoga to the Vallejo Ferry and the greater Bay Area.


Beginning near the Ferry Terminal in historic Vallejo (thus linking with the greater Bay Area), the Vine Trail will continue north for 47 miles, through the world-renowned vineyards and towns of Napa Valley, to its northern gateway in Calistoga at the Oat Hill Mine Trail (Hwy29 at Silverado Trail) at the foot of Mount St. Helena.

The Napa Valley is world-famous above all for its vineyards and their appellations. To reflect this unique sense of place, we have organized the Vine Trail route into 10 SECTIONS, each named for the city or vineyard AVA (American Viticultural Area) the trail passes through. From north to south, these are: Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, Yountville, Oak Knoll District, City of Napa, Vista Carneros, American Canyon, and Vallejo. The 47-mile Vine Trail route has been mapped and its ten sections are in various stages of design or construction as shown on the above map.

I love the southern section, from the Napa Golf Course, up to the city.  The section through the city has many city street crossings, without lights or stop signs.  Then from Trancas Avenue north, the trail is separated from road traffic.  Much of it runs parallel to the Napa Wine Train.  The Trail currently ends in Yountville.


I fully support the Vine Trail effort.  The people who are the “brain child” of this are both highly skilled and politically savvy people.  I admire their efforts.  I donate to the Vine Trai every year.


We will be cycling the Trail this weekend, and perhaps add some wine tasting and visit with dear friends.

Little Italy, South (San Diego)

Posted by golfkat on July 28, 2021
Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Travel. Leave a comment

Travelzoo had some interesting information about San Diego’s Little Italy.  It has increasingly become one of my favorite places in the city.  Let’s see why.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised.  The Saturday street market is one of my favorite events here.  But any day is a good day here.

Thanks to waves of Sicilian and Ligurian immigrants who began building up San Diego’s tuna fishing industry in the 19th century, Italian culture figures prominently into the local mix, too. And as you might guess, Little Italy is the best place to find the vestiges. But as you might not guess, it’s also one of the best places to go for ground-breaking, news-making cuisine—plus some of the chicest décor and design shops in town.

For a quick historic overview, check out a few of the longstanding fixtures—from Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church (the nearly century-old spiritual heart of the neighborhood) to the Waterfront Bar and Grill (said to be the city’s oldest continually operating tavern, where Italian fishermen would relax after mending their nets outside the front door) to Mona Lisa Italian Foods (the old-school, family-run deli and restaurant whose sandwiches and slices are legendary).

You’ll also want to check out a few modern nods to the neighborhood’s Italian heritage: Piazza della Famiglia (a 10,000-square-foot plaza where you can enjoy takeout treats from the new Little Italy Food Hall), the more intimately scaled Piazza Basilone (a tribute to WWII Medal of Honor Recipient Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone); and—on Saturdays—the Little Italy Mercato (a vibrant, open-air market).  

But you’ve got to show up prepared for at least two meals: ideally, an old-school Italian lunch, followed by a long promenade—this would be the time to work in a visit to the chic Kettner Arts & Design District—and topped off with dinner at one of the city’s buzziest modern restaurants. These include Juniper & Ivy, Herb & Wood, Ironside Fish & Oyster (noticing a theme?).

In keeping with the alfresco theme (because every restaurant we’ve mentioned offers some version of it), wine lovers should make time to pull up a seat outside M Winehouse—a beloved wine bar that occupies the neighborhood’s oldest house: a tiny Victorian beauty that dates to 1888 and makes for the perfect place to toast to your neighborhood discoveries.

​I love what the Little Italy Association says:  “Our business district is rooted in the toil of immigrants and the perseverance and optimism of a new group of business owners. The strength of their faith and our proximity to the waterfront is what has supported families in Little Italy for generations.” 


The city streetcar passes within a block or two of Little Italy.  Parking is rather difficult unless you are willing to pay.  My suggestion is to go for lunch, when it is less crowded.  The area is clean and safe. You will find some rather eclectic dishes.  I am still not sure about combining sushi with burritos.  Just remember, you can always go to the beach!
Every Saturday, from 8am to 2pm, the Little Italy Mercato takes over four blocks (West Date Street) in the neighborhood.  Over 85 vendors participate.  Of interest to me are the food vendors, as well as the fresh fruit vendors.  They even have a dog park!


I am here Tuesday to Thursday, so no Little Italy Street Market on this trip.  But I get to see a long time, dear friend, see a few ballgames, and enjoy the beautiful San Diego weather.

The Cost Less Traveled

Posted by golfkat on July 21, 2021
Posted in: Action, Cultures, Travel. Leave a comment

Like Robert Frost’s road less traveled, your travel costs can be reduced by three simple ways.  I always try to book direct, use alternative travel, and use my reward points and miles whenever possible.


Booking direct often yields a few nice surprises.  One would be better availability of room choices, discounts, and upgrades.  For instance, if you join Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott sends periodic upgrades to use with any reservation.  So, why not get that larger, quieter corner room, rather than the small, noisy room near the ice machine or elevator?  Most direct sites, like airlines, hotels, and excursions offer better cancellation or postponement options.


When I booked a non-refundable stay in Munich for the Oktoberfest (it was cancelled in 2020 and 2021), I was able to salvage the reservation.  I moved it forward another year, and though I had to pay the difference in price, I was able to keep the $500 stay for the next Oktoberfest.


Many of my flights to Europe, and within Europe were either credited, or rebooked with no additional costs.  Surprisingly, United has been great about this, as have many smaller European based airlines, like Ryan, Aegean, and Croatian Airlines.


Alternative travel is something I enjoy more than most travelers.  I love taking the train, having crossed the US on Amtrak several times.  I love the Eurail Pass, as well as Japan’s JR Pass for the bullet train (Shinkansen) and the Trans Siberian Railway across Russia.  Also, faced with having to retrace my flights back to Buenos Aires from Ushuaia, Mr. Mike and I opted for a 12 hour bus ride back to Chile.  With Uber and Lyft available, I rarely rent a car.


I have a dear friend, Katy, who lives on the road permanently.  She only flies when land options are not available.  I am sure she has seen and experienced life that most of us will never see or experience.  I envy her lifestyle.


Reward points are just one of life’s great bonuses, for free stays, upgrades, and discounts.  I use my airline points for upgrades to Biz or First Class.  I use my hotel points for stays when the price is high or the rooms in great demand (around a big event like the Super Bowl, Wimbledon or the World Series).  This works well for major holidays, as long as the room is booked well ahead.  And the hotel programs, like Hilton, Marriott, or IHG seem to always offer discounts.


Of course, word of mouth is often the best way to save.  When I left Athens for Santorini, I asked my driver for a good hotel in the best location.  He suggested the Hotel Byron in Plaka, where I got a room for about $300 for 6 nights!!!
And never underestimate the staff at hotels, for insights into tours, and sights to visit.  I made a customized wine tour through my hotel waiter in Santorini.  He doubles as a wine guide in the afternoon.  We put together a tour of three wineries, each offering something different, a new one, and old one, and an artsy one.


Bottom line, talk to people, be resourceful, and above all, do not be afraid to take a chance!!!

Can Travel Make You Happier?

Posted by golfkat on July 20, 2021
Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Travel. 1 Comment

I answer this question in the affirmative, a big YES!


From Ann Jones of Shermans Travel:  A 2021 study in the journal of Tourism Analysis shows that frequent travelers are happier with their lives than people who don’t travel at all. The study results indicate that respondents attaching personal importance to tourism are more likely to gather travel-relevant information, therefore are more likely to go on vacations than those who are not often thinking about their next trip. It is also found that frequent travelers are more satisfied with their life.


I think about not only my next trip, but often into the next year!


Art Markman, Professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of Texas, explains that there is a growing body of evidence that shows purchases of experiences (like vacations) have a more lasting impact on people’s happiness than purchases of material goods. “The travel experience itself is often enjoyable. In addition, it increases the bonds among the people who go on the trip. Finally, vacations create happy memories that can also boost well-being in the future.” 

So, do you buy the $6000 bicycle or take the Trans Siberian Railway across Russia?
More from Markham:  

  • People often travel to cities or beautiful areas of the planet that allow them to see wonderful sights firsthand. The pictures and memories of those experiences can create lasting happiness.
  • Travel can bring family members together as well, which can create additional memories that are shared at later gatherings.

I love taking photos while on my trips and sharing them, along with daily emails to my friends and family.  Some of my best times are sharing stories with friends and family.


We know that planning a vacation can spark joy. Research shows that the anticipation of future travel can increase happiness–and this looks to have increased during a global pandemic. In a nutshell: There’s a newfound appreciation for travel. A new study from the Institute for Applied Positive Research found that booking travel generates happiness and can alleviate stress and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, 97% of survey respondents reported that having a trip planned makes them happier and that 74% of respondents reported that planning something would make them feel more in control amidst so much uncertainty. 

Yes, like most of you, I stayed home during the pandemic.  In fact, for over a year, I did not leave the county!!  But I continued to gather information for future trips, plan, and hope.  Hope is a wonderful thing, according to Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption.


Want to feel happier? Pack that suitcase and start planning–and then begin traveling. 

Since I have been vaccinated, I have been to Scottsdale for Spring Training and Washington, DC for the cherry blossom.  In May, I went to Poland, Germany and Greece.  Am I happier?  Yes, of course!!!

Famous Concert Halls

Posted by golfkat on July 15, 2021
Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Music, Travel. 2 Comments

While I do not attend so many classical music concerts lately, I had enjoyed my visits to some of the world’s most famous concert halls.  These would include:  Royal Albert Hall in London, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA, Wiener Musikverein in Vienna, the Bolshoi in Moscow, the Mariinsky in St. Petersburg, Carnegie Hall in NYC, Sydney Opera House, and the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.


In no particular order, here are a few of my thoughts and experiences.


My first real concert, other than the old San Francisco Opera House (before Davies Hall) was at Royal Albert Hall in London.  We had to queue around the building for hours ahead of the concert.  So, I found some friendly Aussies with beer and a deck of cards!  The performance, which was both long and tedious was the Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) Symphony.  And since we had the “cheap” seats in the center of the Hall, we had to stand for the entire concert, except for intermission, when we sat on the floor!  Royal Albert (opened in 1871) is also where the Beatles first performed in London (1963), once they became famous.  Unknown to many, Muhammad Ali fought here three times, Sir Winston Churchill spoke here sixteen times, Albert Einstein campaigned for world peace in 1933, and opened by Queen Victoria in 1871 in memory of Prince Albert.


The Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg (opened in 1860) was a most curious event, since it featured a trombone solo.  Making this event even worse?  I attended a concert in Ann Arbor, MI by the University of Michigan band, also featuring a trombone solo, just a month before.  What are the odds?  And yes, trombone solos are ODD!


Nothing could be more eclectic than the concert by the “Lost and Found Band” at the famous Sydney Opera House (opened 1973).  Lost and found means they made musical instruments out of items found in the trash bins of Sydney.  But I think just being in the famous Opera House overshadowed the rather eclectic offerings of this true “garage” band.  Notable guests include:  Nelson Mandela, Michael Buble, Paul Robeson, and of course, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.


In Budapest, free concerts are offered on a regular basis.  Just collect a ticket for Liszt or Bartok during the day, and show up at 7pm that night.  Simple, right?  Not really, since most places in the central district don’t start serving dinner until 7 or 8pm.  After a delicious roast duck dinner, I walked into the State Opera House as an encore was being played!  What did we do?  Just headed to the nearest bar, and enjoyed ourselves.


Growing up as a kid, we always heard about Carnegie Hall.  It was and still is, the dream of aspiring musicians around the world to appear at Carnegie.  Just my luck it was being renovated on my last trip there.  What did I do?  I went instead to the famous Carnegie Deli and had a huge, corned beef sandwich!  Performances include:  Simon and Garfunkel, Dave Brubeck, Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone, the Beatles, and the Beach Boys.


But the most curious of all concert halls is the Frank Gehry designed Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA.  I have been in several other Gehry designs, like the Seattle Music Experience Project (EMP), now called MoPop.  Most interior portions are very traditional, but the exteriors are always strange.  He even designed the Brain Center near downtown Las Vegas.  I think it looks like someone’s brain, after being scrambled in a concussion!


Left off of this list, for some reason, is the famous and probably most acoustically perfect concert hall in the world, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam (opened in 1888).  There is not a bad seat, at least acoustically, in the entire hall, whether on the main floor or upstairs.  Free concerts are given every day at 1pm.  The place is simply perfect!  It is home to the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.


But no matter where you go, the bottom line for me in the performance itself.  I don’t choose the performers based on the concert hall.  After all, why sit through TWO trombone solos when many better choices exit?  But once in a while, the concert hall becomes an obsession.

Hilariously Funny and Ironic

Posted by golfkat on July 12, 2021
Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Travel, Wine. Leave a comment

I rarely feel sorry for French winemakers, specifically the “famous” champagne houses of Epernay and Reims.  Yes, I once paid a nice visit, and enjoyed many tours and tastings.  But I always reserve some judgement for the snobby French attitude about sparkling wine, or what they prefer to call it, champagne.
Rarely do I agree with the Russkies, but this is just the latest kick in the teeth for a country whose wine regions are under great pressure.  Read this, from the Washington Post:

Russia’s appreciation of French champagne spans two centuries — back to when a czar once declared he’d drink nothing but Madame Clicquot’s 1811 vintage from France’s famed Champagne vineyards.

Now the countries are locked in what the French media has dubbed a “champagne war,” over what Paris considers an attempt by Moscow to undermine its legendary brand.

A law signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 2 will require French champagne makers to add a “sparkling wine” reference to the back of their bottles sold in Russia. The French champagne industry has long considered itself separate from that catchall category because it says the name “champagne” refers exclusively to the bubbly produced in the French region of the same name.

The new legislation also stipulates that makers of Russian “shampanskoye” — the Russian word for champagne — will get a unique status, exempting it from the sparkling wine note on the back.

The law has uncorked ridicule from even the Kremlin’s fiercest backers and sparked “outrage” from France’s Champagne Committee, the powerful umbrella group of French champagne makers. The European Commission even weighed in. Spokeswoman Miriam Garcia Ferrer said it “will do everything necessary to protect our rights and take the necessary steps if this law enters into force.”

The spat first popped Friday when a letter from the Russian distribution center of Moët Hennessy, the French maker of venerable names such as Veuve Clicquot and Dom Pérignon champagnes, leaked on Facebook. In the letter, Moët informed its Russian clients that it had suspended deliveries of all champagne to the country because it had “not confirmed” whether it would change its labels to say “sparkling wine” for the Russian market. 

Russian social media fizzed with mockery.

Russian industry experts said the new mandate has been blown out of proportion. The goal, they say, is to put all “sparking wine” imports — from Spanish cava to Italian prosecco to French champagne — under one umbrella. Labels on the front can stay the same.

Pavel Titov, the president of Abrau-Durso, a top Russian sparkling wine producer, told the state-run RIA Novosti: “It is extremely important for winemakers in Russia to work in the overall landscape of the global wine industry. For me, there is no doubt that real champagne is made in the Champagne region.”

On Sunday, Moët Hennessy acquiesced, agreeing to add the “sparkling wine” designation to the back of its bottles sold in Russia. Andrei Grigoriev, a partner at Russia’s Double Magnum wine consulting group, said acquiring the necessary paperwork to comply with the new law could take “months,” perhaps delaying shipments.

France’s Champagne Committee appealed to all French champagne producers to halt exports to Russia until further notice and urged French and European Union diplomats to lobby on its behalf.

“It is our common heritage and the apple of our eye,” said two co-presidents of the organization, which frequently uses the slogan “Champagne only comes from Champagne, France.” “I was shocked when I saw the decision,” agreed Olivier Gergaud, a food and wine researcher at France’s Kedge Business School. Gergaud compared the Russian move to an impostor pretending to have a Harvard degree. (Equally funny!)

France’s champagne industry faced a historic crisis last year, as the coronavirus pandemic shuttered clubs and bars, sending sales of bubbly into a tailspin. Overall, champagne exports declined by 18 percent last year, compared with 2019.

But sales have recently increased again, said Gergaud, as people are catching up on anniversaries, weddings and other festive occasions. Russia, however, accounted for less than 1 percent of French champagne sales last year.

“It’s for the elite,” said Vadim Drobiz, the director of Russia’s Center for the Study of Federal and Regional Alcohol Markets. “It’s not affordable for the majority of the Russian population.”The French champagne industry’s furious response to the Russian legislation reflects a long-standing effort to protect the “champagne” designation of origin against attempts from abroad to, quite literally, water it down.

​I find this episode funny, ironic, and “I told you so” in every way.  The French are having issues in their wine industry.  They are finally grasping twenty first century technology and agricultural wisdom.  Yet, on wine tours in France, they continually “bad mouth” American wines in general, and Napa Valley wines in particular.

Maybe this is KARMA?

PS:  Russian wines and champagnes are terrible!!!

Ever Been to John’s Grill (San Francisco)?

Posted by golfkat on July 9, 2021
Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Travel. 1 Comment

One of the few remaining icons of old San Francisco, is John’s Grill.  I first became familiar with it, when my waiter , John Konstin, at Jack’s on Sacramento Street bought John’s in the 70s.  Here is some interesting background.


Nestled in a building two blocks from Union Square and not far from San Francisco’s big convention center and major hotels, John’s Grill has been hosting celebrities from all over the world for more than 100 years. It was created in 1908, only two years after San Francisco’s devastating earthquake. Indeed, John’s Grill was the first downtown restaurant to open after the quake. It quickly became a bustling anchor in the city’s multi-faceted life – hosting a beguiling and lively mixture of politicians, cops, journalists, entertainers, lawyers, business leaders and the just plain curious who wanted to join in the fun, all while eating some of the best food on the west coast. From the time when San Francisco was rebuilding itself and becoming the financial capital of the western United States, on through World War II (the city was the major embarkation point for troops heading to war in the Pacific) and into the heady hippie days of the Sixties and beyond, John’s Grill was – and still is –  the downtown gathering place for those who ran the town and those who wanted to run the town.


Inside, today’s customers will find period furnishing and dark paneled walls framed with hundreds of photos of movers and shakers (and a sprinkling of the not-quite movers and shakers), most of them from the San Francisco Bay Area, but several from the world of state and national politics. On the robust menus, diners have their choice of great steaks, fresh seafood and a variety of salads – try the famed seafood combo salad named for fitness guru Jack LaLanne.

John’s Grill is widely known for its carefully curated menu of salads, steak, seafood, pasta, and sandwiches, all at reasonable prices. The restaurant’s signature dish is the Sam Spade’s Lamb Chops, named for author Dashiell Hammett’s famed private eye. Hammett, a frequent customer of John’s Grill, had Spade wolfing down a plate of John’s “chops, baked potato, and sliced tomatoes.” The restaurant has a subtle motif adapted from the Hammett classic, “The Maltese Falcon,” and there’s a statue of the infamous black bird in a case on the second floor.

Some famous patrons are: Marlon Brando, Truman Capote, Sophia Loren, George Lucas, Julia Child, Lauren Bacall, Anthony Quinn, Andy Warhol, Alice Cooper, Herb Caen, Robin Williams, and Joe Montana.


I have dined here on numerous occasions, but not in the last ten years.  I am looking forward.