04/28/2014 - Trends and Tipples

The world is changing, moving, evolving - whatever term you'd like to give it, we are a world in transit, sometimes more quickly than we can keep up with.  How will the new breed, given the term, "Millennials" shape the future?  There is no better person to bring us a sense of this than Maeve Webster, Senior Director of Datassentials, a strategic research group focused on sourcing behavior trends in different demographics, forecasting menu trends, global food service directions and so much more.

Our second half guest brings to the show another trend we are experiencing, but in a very mellow, laid back, yet exciting and cutting edge direction.  From prohibition to ultra mod distilling and tasting bars, our guest, Paul Martin, Brand Ambassador and Tasting Room manager for the new cult classic in the Oxbow Market, Napa Valley Distillery.  With his encyclopedic knowledge of liquor, we'll travel from prohibition, to speakeasy, "Dean Martin days", to the current boom taking off.  We'll learn that "bitters" ain't just "bitters"!

 

 

 

Paul Martin

Brand Ambassador

Tasting Room Manager

Napa Valley Distillery

 

The First Distillery located in the city of Napa since Prohibition. Family owned and operated by Arthur and Lusine Hartunian, Napa Valley Distillery was founded on one basic principal - Make it different!

 

Napa Valley Distillery is a family-owned and operated micro-distillery founded by Arthur and Lusine Hartunian out of their passion for premium, small-batch craft spirits and their love of the Napa Valley. Napa Valley Distillery features a unique variety of fruit-based distilled spirits, shrubs, tonics and syrups from around the world, as well as several brands of bitters that are not available anywhere in the U.S. Their flagship product is Napa Vodka Vintage Reserve, made entirely from Single Vintage Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. They also make pre-prohibition era barrel-aged cocktails, like the Negroni and East India and seasonal liqueurs like their platinum medal-winning Meyer lemon liqueur. Napa Valley Distillery also stocks a large collection of authentic vintage bar ware from the early 1900’s.

 

The unique boutique at Oxbow Market offers complimentary tastings of over 300 different cocktail bitters, syrups, shrubs and other cocktail essentials from all over the world.

 

Open Monday, Wednesday-Saturday, 9 am-7 pm; Tuesday, 9 am-8 pm; Sunday, 9 am-6 pm

 

Maeve Webster

Senior Director, Datassentials; Chicago, Il

 

Maeve Webster, a senior director at Datassential, is a lead consultant for foodservice manufacturers, operators, and distributors. She has spearheaded over 300 major industry studies during her 12 years as a foodservice specialist, and today designs and manages both consumer and operator-based studies in Datassential’s strategic research group. During the past decade, Maeve helped develop several of Datassential’s new products and programs including the several new publications, Global Culinary Tour, the TIPS report, and Optimizer—a service that provides manufacturers and operators with recommendations on optimal product mixes for the menu. She also heads the company’s Health & Wellness consulting group, authoring the Healthy Profits series of reports and participating in several industry initiatives. Maeve’s expertise is in the areas of trend analysis, market assessment, consumer behavior, product testing, and brand optimization. She is a regular speaker at industry events and is a collegiate guest instructor on the topic of market research. Maeve earned her MBA at the University of Illinois and holds a culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago. (Chicago, IL)

 

 

Defining the Millennial Diner

A growing segment larger than their Gen X predecessors, millennials are already shaping up to be the next largest dining demographic following boomers. With an age range as broad as its dining preferences, the foodservice industry continues to scratch its head at the best way to define this segment. But therein lies the problem: generalization. To deal with the millennial age gap, Chicago-based foodservice research firm Datassential now measures millennials based on “adult millennials” (ages 25 to 34) and “young millennials” (ages 18 to 24). Maeve Webster says adult millennials are much more adventurous and drive trends, while younger consumers are much more broad in tastes and less likely to experiment. Ironically, “nostalgia foods” like red velvet and tater tots are considered cutting-edge and experimental to the younger millennials because they never experienced the original.

 

 

Technology is also important to both demographics. In a study conducted by Datassential, 48 percent of operators said they are using email to target millennials. But that's not the way they like to communicate. Seventy-eight percent of millennial diners use a smartphone, but use email for personal communication, whereas 45 percent of millennial diners have used an app to choose where to eat or what to order. Because of this, adult millennials are more likely to use restaurant apps to check in, review and make reservations. Taking photos while eating at restaurants is now a requisite part of the millennial dining experience, so let them get snap happy—it actually serves as free PR for your operation. - See more at: http://foodfanatics.usfoods.com/blog/5-trends-from-cia-worlds-of-flavor#sthash.mFUhaJPW.dpuf

 

 

 

 

 



04/21/2014 -- The Big Fat Greek Show

This week Slow Living Radio celebrates all things Greek through four very different perspectives.

Maria Tourikis Wainwright was born in Greece, and travels back frequently to find products from her country to bring back to the US.  She and her husband, John Wainwright from London, share their travel experiences, exciting finds and the regional diversity of Greek food, wine and culture.

 Peter Granoff, M.S., Co-Owner, Oxbow Wine Merchant, has developed a penchant for Greek Wine, carrying many unique varietals on his shelves and educating his customers about the emerging yet historic industry. 

 

Finally, our regular guest and "nomad" chef, Bob Hurley will bring an American chef's perspective on living in Greece, and what it has added to his culinary repertoire at Hurley's Restaurant and Bar in Yountville.

 

 

Show information and links

Peter Granoff MS
Oxbow Wine Merchant,

Peter's Recommended Greek Wines

Peter with a bottle of
Malagousia-Assyrtiko

Xinomavro
("sour black") is the predominant grape variety in Macedonia, centered around the town of Naousa. This variety has great aging potential with a palate reminiscent of tomatoes and olives, and a rich tannic character. It is often compared to Nebbiolo.

.
Moschofilero is a Blanc de gris variety from the AOC region of Mantineia, in Arcadia in the Peloponnese. Its wines offer a crisp and floral character in both still and sparkling styles.

 

Malagousia is a grape growing mainly in Macedonia, with a special aroma leading to elegant full bodied wines, with medium-plus acidity and exciting perfumed aromas.
 
Assyrtiko is a multi-purpose variety which maintains its acidity as it ripens. It is similar in character to Riesling, and is mostly island-based, being a native variety of the island of Santorini, whose old vines have been resistant to Phylloxera.

 

 

 

 

 

Maria Tourikis Wainwright and John Wainwright

 

Maria's Greek friends....

 

 

Olive Oil

The Eleones Messinias

 

Food and Wine Travel 

Delfinia Group Travel

 

 Regional Wines

Boutari Wines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maria's Greek Easter Tsoureki

sitting on a bed of Greek Mountain tea

 

 

 

 

03/31 - The Waterford Crystal Story

Slow Living Radio was delighted to find the charming Jim O'Leary, Director of Design for Waterford Crystal, appearing and signing his marvellous crystal creations in downtown San Francisco.  Hear his inspirational story of starting with the company as a boy of 15, and how he progressed through the ranks over a span of 53 years, living the entire time in the quaint namesake town of Waterford, Ireland.  A truly "slow living story" indeed!

Waterford then....

....and now



 

 

Jim O'Leary, Director of Design

Waterford Crystal

http://na.wwrd.com/ae/us/icat/waterford

 

As Director of Design for Waterford Crystal®, Jim O'Leary is the curator of a design tradition that stretches back to 1783.

 

Under his direction, Waterford has become known to the world as an enduring symbol of quality, tradition and modernity with timeless designs that add significance and beauty to the home. Jim has played a pivotal role throughout the decades with his artistic eye and inspired view of the world. He continually brings fresh perspective to the Waterford Design Studio in Ireland, always providing the brand with new interpretations of what it means to be modern today. Mr. O'Leary describes Waterford's enduring legacy and design leadership well. "It is only by being of its time that Waterford Crystal can aspire to be timeless. What endures is not a single look or style, but a way of putting ancient skills to new uses in order to create designs that move beyond mere fashion to achieve lasting style.

 

The Araglin Design

 

After beginning his career as a Waterford apprentice in 1960, Jim O'Leary quickly achieved Master Craftsman status by age 24. In 1980 he joined the ranks of the legendary design team and thus began his travels to the United States where he has charmed generations of collectors ever since. Among his most important designs are the Araglin, Carina and Castlemaine patterns; The Romance of Ireland collection; and the Star of Peace, which were the first Waterford Crystal panels to be placed on the famous Millenium Ball in Times Square in 1999.



The Carina Design

Serving as Waterford Crystal's international brand ambassador, Jim spends an average of five months each year visiting consumers and collectors around the world. At the scores of events he attends, he puts his creativity to work on a more practical level by inscribing his signature on Waterford Crystal pieces with an electronic signing pen. Through his travels he gains valuable insights and inspiration from consumers which he then brings back to the designers and craftsmen on the Waterford Design team to develop and refine existing and new product lines. His understanding of the ever-changing market and consumer ensures Waterford Crystal remains the global leader in crystal design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Waterford Crystal

 

Waterford Crystal designs, manufactures and markets an extensive range of crystal stemware, barware and giftware for distribution throughout the world. In recent years, Waterford has built upon its reputation as a leading source of prestigious tabletop and gift products by expanding into several new businesses. Significant expansions into tabletop and gifts have occurred with the launch of the Marquis by Waterford, the addition of Waterford Fine China, Waterford Fine Flatware, and Waterford Holiday Heirlooms. Each of those initiatives reflects the company's commitment to creating prestigious products -- for gift giving, entertaining, and home decorating -- whose classic designs transcend time.

 

History

 

The company of Waterford was first established in 1783 on land adjacent to Merchants' Quay in the heart of the Irish harbor town of Waterford. Its founders were two brothers, William and George Penrose, who were important developers and principal exporters in the city. Their vision was to "create the finest quality crystal for drinking vessels and objects of beauty for the home." More than two hundred years later, the reputation they established for creating glass of unsurpassed beauty and quality has transcended the intervening centuries.
 

The beginnings of glass making in Ireland are lost in the mists of time but there is sufficient archaeological evidence to show that, from the early Iron Age, glass was regarded with respect. Indeed, medieval documents can prove glass making existed in Ireland back in the middle 13th century.

 

However, the Waterford Crystal story started to blossom in 1783 when two brothers, George and William Penrose, founded their crystal manufacturing business in the busy port of Waterford. They were important developers and the city's principal exporters. The development, they told the Irish Parliament, cost £10,000 - a great deal of money in the 18th century.
 

They employed 50 to 70 people, led by a fellow Quaker, John Hill, from Stourbridge in England, and succeeded in producing crystal with a purity of colour unmatched in Ireland or England. Merchant ships sailed regularly from the port of Waterford with cargoes of crystal bound for Spain, the West Indies, New York, New England and Newfoundland.
 

Another century passed before the enterprise was revived. In 1947, while Europe was still in ruins after the second World War, a small glass factory was set up in Waterford just 11/2 miles from the site of the original glass factory.

 

Waterford Crystal today has very strong links with its illustrious predecessor. There is today the same dedication to the purity of color, to the same design inspiration and to the same pursuit of highest quality levels possible. The traditional cutting patterns made famous by the artisans of Waterford became the design basis for the growing product range of the new company.
 

Products which have extended the power of the Waterford brand beyond its core crystal products include Waterford China, Waterford Table & Bed Linens, Waterford Stainless Flatware and Silver Gifts, Waterford Writing Instruments, Waterford Holiday Heirlooms and Waterford Crystal Jewellery.


 


The Lismore Design

Waterford Crystal, today, is the leading brand of premium crystal. Its products - superb handcrafted crystal stemware, giftware and lightingware - are designed and manufactured to the highest standards.
 

The brand's reputation among its target market - upscale men and women - in its major markets is such that it has taken the brand to the heights that it now occupies. The target consumers simply regard Waterford Crystal as the best for self and gift purchase.

Recent research has confirmed the standing of Waterford Crystal in both the US and the UK.
 

In November 2000, Waterford Crystal was named as the top world class brand in the United States by a survey conducted among 30,000 people by the Princeton, New Jersey, based independent market research company, Total Research Corporation. Total Research said that Waterford Crystal was judged by American consumers as the brand with the highest quality out of 19 world class brands in the US market. Other brands in the league table below Waterford include Rolls-Royce Bentley, Bose stereo and speaker systems, Philadelphia cream cheese, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Kodak, Heinz ketchup and National Geographic magazine.
 

In 2002, Waterford celebrated the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the Lismore pattern of crystal. Almost every year since its inception, Lismore has topped the popularity list and has been the biggest selling pattern of crystal in the US and the world. But there are others among the repertoire of Ireland's most famous export that have gained their own following - Alana, Carina, Araglin.
 

Waterford Crystal has become almost a synonym for the finest quality crystal sought after by collectors and connoisseurs around the world. Each piece of Waterford is watermarked with the word "Waterford", a signature indicating the name of the finest crystal in the world.

 

 

2/24 - A Feast of Napa Cabernet

CabFestNV 2014

Napa Valley’s legendary Cabernet Sauvignons finally have their own festival!  CabFestNV is a three-day celebration that will appeal to both the expert and the novice, featuring more than 100 of the biggest names in the wine industry as well as the best of the boutiques. Through current and library wine tasting, interesting and informative panels, educational and interactive seminars and keynote presentations, CabFestNV will spotlight the many facets of Cabernet Sauvignon’s complexity and mystique. But there is much more to CabFestNV than just enhancing the appreciation and appeal of Cabernet Sauvignon. CabFestNV is out to also prove that seriously good wine needn’t take itself too seriously… which means the weekend will also be laced with great music from rock to classical, great food, and fun and fabulous events for all those who attend.

 

Michael Madden (Chief Executive),

Lincoln Theatre

 

Michael Madden also serves as the Executive Director of the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater.  His keen insights into Lincoln Theater operations, his knowledge of the local marketplace and his informed perspective on what it will take to make the venue successful, make him uniquely qualified to fulfill the mission and objectives of the Lincoln Theater Foundation and its Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater.  In his career, Madden successfully built and managed businesses with over 200 employees, he gained invaluable experience overseeing major business restructurings and he developed publishing campaigns for entertainment giants such as Sony Pictures, Fox, Lucas Film, Quincy Jones, Suze Orman and James Cameron.

 

Winemaker Celia Welch

Corra Wines
 

Celia Welch, consulting winemaker to some of Napa Valley’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon estates, is proud to welcome you to her own endeavor, CORRA.

Grapes from three prime vineyards in three of Napa Valley’s premium growing regions, Oakville, Rutherford and Pritchard Hill, combine to create the powerful yet elegant Corra Cabernet Sauvignon.

Corra, a Celtic deity representing prophecy, symbolizes this small brand’s forward-looking perspective. Showing herself on earth in the form of a crane, Corra takes wing and lifts her shadow to life.

Celia Welch’s first interaction with grapes was under the huge oak tree in her backyard in Southern Oregon, where her siblings and she plucked grape berries from stems for their father, an avid wine collector and home winemaker. Her parents also included the family on trips through Napa and Sonoma in the early sixties, and, like most visitors, she was entranced with the beauty of the rolling vineyards. 

In 1982 with a degree in Enology earned at UC Davis in her back pocket, she set out to take a peek at a few wine regions. Her travels took her to the Pacific Northwest, the East Coast, and to New Zealand. She worked harvest in the Barossa Valley of Australia, and then settled in the Napa Valley to refine her craft.

Celia had reached a fork in her career path in the early nineties, and she chose to focus on independent wineconsulting. The wines she has made create a microcosm of Napa Valley. She has made wine from vineyards on Mt. Veeder, Atlas Peak, and Howell Mountain to those in Carneros, and from benchland vineyards from St. Helena to Napa.   

In 2004 came the idea and the challenge of founding Corra. It was not easy to find vineyard sources with top-quality fruit, a winery with a bit of space to spare for barrels, and a strong team of individuals with experience in different aspects of the wine business from grapevines to websites. The results of these efforts have been tremendous; well-received wines and a project that has lead to information- and idea-sharing for everyone involved.

 

Jeff Gargiulo

Gargiulo Vineyards

As a lifetime farmer, Jeff Gargiulo has always been passionate about the land and agricultural, and today that passion is focused on the joys of grape growing and fine wine making. 30 years ago though, he and his wife Valerie only dreamed of one day building a premier wine estate. That dream took shape in the early 1980s when Jeff and Valerie and their young family traveled to Napa Valley to visit Valerie's cousins, Barney and Belle Rhodes. Napa Valley icons, Barney and Belle Rhodes had been in the Napa Valley since the late 1960s growing grapes in Rutherford at Bella Oaks Vineyard. Jeff and Valerie were inspired by their cousin’s Napa Valley lifestyle and confident that with their help and Jeff’s agricultural knowledge they would make some of the finest wines in the world. Twelve years later and with countless hours of coaching from Barney and Belle, Jeff and Valerie purchased their first vineyard in Oakville, Napa Valley, Money Road Ranch in 1992. Seven years later they purchased their second Oakville property, 575 ovx.

From the beginning, the Gargiulo’s committed themselves to creating a world class Cabernet Sauvignon wine estate. From his years spent farming, Jeff Gargiulo, knew that if he didn't start with the very best land, he could never expect to grow the best grapes. For this reason, the Gargiulo's chose Oakville to establish their namesake winery. Then, like today, Oakville was considered to be amongst the preeminent places to grow Cabernet Sauvignon in the world. The very first vintage of Gargiulo Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon was 2000, and since then Gargiulo Vineyards has quietly taken its place among the most highly regarded Cabernet Sauvignon producers in Napa Valley. Not ones to rest on their laurels, Jeff, Valerie, daughter, April and the entire Gargiulo Vineyards’ team continue to strive to make Gargiulo wines the most pure and breathtaking expressions of their two esteemed Oakville vineyards.