Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/14611
AfTER HOURS hen a wine powerhouse like Rhône producer Michel Chapoutier makes a whirlwind stop in San Francisco, the industry makes their way from near and far to taste and mingle. The second-floor dining room at contemporary brasserie Midi was host to Kim Beto’s much anticipated “Chill,” and once in the house, guests didn’t have far to go to taste their way through Chapoutier’s Rhône portfolio. There was magic in the air and extraordinary Hermitage in the glasses. W Man of the hour Michel Chapoutier and “Chill” host Kim Beto, SW&S Vice President of Key Accounts for Northern California. Chills for Chapoutier by Deborah Parker Wong / photos by Liza Gershman The 100-mile club: Paul Fried, newly-appointed Wine Director at the Highlands Inn in Carmel, along with Mary Jo Ford and Tripp Harrison of American Wine & Spirits who made their way from Sacramento to meet Chapoutier. Ryan Salvo, GM at Zaré at Flytrap, Kirk Pearson of Terlato Wines, Paul Fronsac, Sommelier at Tamarine in Palo Alto, and Leila Curtis from American Wine & Spirits have in common a love of Crozes-Hermitage. Chapoutier’s Saint- Joseph Blanc Les Granits was one of the stars of this SW&S “Chill.” Fifth Floor sommelier John Slamon and Tonya Pitts, Wine Director at One Market, taste through the blancs, which included the Saint-Joseph Les Granits. 30 / the tasting panel / august 2010 Megan Lenn, American Wine & Spirits, and pal Matthew Barther, General Manager of Bobo’s, strike a pose with M. Chapoutier Export Manager Pierre-Adrian Fleurant.