Sontes ~ most romantic restaurant
True fact! Sontes is THE most romantic restaurant, at least in Rochester, and quite possibly in the state of Minnesota! Here is a photo of the back wall of the intimate wine vault where a couple can...
View ArticlePlanning, Preparing, & Pairing
… is that the same as P3 or P-cubed? Here are a few photos of Sunday’s family supper where service practice is planned into each meal served at home these days. Each practice is on a wine, paired with...
View ArticleJust 2 More Days…
’til Sontes‘ Tasting Menu special and Pairing to Perfection’s new wine class aptly named April in Paris ~ Can hardly wait! After our cozy Gallery opening on Sunday, an afternoon that rather resembled...
View ArticleGot Some Serious Catching Up To Do
In the midst of serious studying for the International Sommelier Guild’s Sommelier Diploma Program, P2P has failed her website woefully. And today is the perfect day to begin to catch-up… especially...
View ArticleThere’s always more needed & more to give
So. P2P is nearly half-way through the International Sommelier Guild’s “Sommelier Diploma Program;” unquestionably the toughest course undertaken “so far.” Sounds slightly daunting, but not...
View ArticleGrateful for TED
When undertaking a year of ISG (International Sommelier Guild) classes that will culminate in earning their Sommelier Diploma designation, at an age when most of my friends and peers are retiring, my...
View ArticleLinks for wine, restaurant, art buffs + a Happiness Ted Talk
This is the link to Shawn Achor’s Ted talk on The Happiness Factor This is one of be best Ted Talks on happiness and working more effectively ever! As we all get ready to dive into a new year, and …...
View ArticleDrones? Over the Vineyard? Really?
There is a fascinating, but not comfortable, article about drones being used in the vineyards of Bordeaux and California in Decanter’s online articles today. It focuses on the announcement by Bernard...
View ArticleQuiet Saturday Night
As many readers know, P2P is nearing the end of the WSET’s Level 3 Course and preparing to go to San Francisco for the exam. Today started off quite busy with a choir practice, family errands, laundry,...
View ArticleExciting Week!
This week is full of exciting tastings, sales calls, introductions and most of all a beautiful wine dinner hosted by the historic St. James Hotel in Red Wing and Amara Wines to introduce Liz and Frans...
View Article“You need a successful Kickstarter”
… a very savvy lady said those words to me earlier this summer when I delivered some wines from a recent tasting to her. She invited me in for tea and a chat. She has a peaceful, wise demeanor that...
View ArticleSanta Fe, a City Wonderful
Twenty years ago living Santa Fe, in various places passed daily there were signs, posters, tee-shirts, and bumper stickers declaring “Santa Fe, a City Different”. When first arriving there after...
View ArticleExperiential Education
Star Tribune has an interesting recent article called The Bias Against Vocational Education found at this link http://m.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/291592871.html. The article caught my eye as...
View ArticleChef’s Table in the Pantry
That sounds rather like Harry Potter’s younger days when he “slept in the closet under the stairs.” But last night’s Chef’s Table dinner in the “Pantry” was anything but Harry’s closet; it was a lovely...
View ArticleWine, Auctions, Certifications & Life
Tuesday was all about life and change. These pictures chronicle the journey. Please join us; the next leg begins August 15, with WSET Diploma’s 1st unit. It’s like waiting for Christmas!
View ArticleTribute to Lovely Lady
Each morning while Kurtis watches news, P2P reads Decanter’s informative daily email digest of articles. It is part of the prep of getting back into “study mode” as WSET’s Diploma class starts on...
View ArticleWhen Life is Fully Lived
This little blog to bring folks up-to-date on Pairing to Perfection is a bit like a bedtime story. Lots of pictures, a few words of all that is wonderful about the many things going on the last few...
View ArticleAfter the Holiday Crunch
This was our first Christmas back in Michigan. Traverse City Golf & Country Club was beautifully decorated, the members and staff are truly beautiful inside and out. Their reflection of light and...
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