We're quick--too quick, perhaps--to honor luminaries from afar. Distant stars glow seductively, it's true, but home-grown talent shines bright as well. Two examples: Tim O'Brien and Brian Carter.
O'Brien runs the admirable wine program at Salty's On Alki, which I praised here not all that long ago. Oh, the howls of derision I faced from supposedly serious connoisseurs! But O'Brien understands that wine is the actually most egalitarian of beverages. Now the reward: the Washington Wine Commission this week named O'Brien "Washington Sommelier of the Year" and Salty's "Restaurant of the Year." Bravo!
Carter has been a fixture in this state's wine industry for 25 years now and has already garnered all the top awards. What's next? The British wine mag Decanter reports this week that Carter is launching the first American "Euro-blend" winery: blends in the style of Bordeaux, the Rhone and Tuscany. Welcome news, though not yet reported locally. We'll keep you posted.
Posted by Ronald Holden at March 17, 2006 9:06 AMRon,
I would appreciate being on your
mailing list.
Thanks,
Dave
Posted by: David Lonay at March 17, 2006 10:01 AM