Sommelier of the Month (US): Belinda Chang
Sommelier of the Month
We have selected Belinda Chang as the March Riedel Sommelier of the Month, here are highlights from our interview.
Food and Wine – Favorite combos? What do you find to be the hardest/easiest to match up?
Caviar, Potato Chips and Champagne!
Your restaurant - What is your must eat dish on the menu and which wine do you recommend with it?
See above! The perfect dinner at Maple & Ash is two courses: Caviar, Potato Chips and Champagne followed by our Baller Grilled Seafood Platter with a bottle of big red.
Any tips that you have for decanter newbies?
Have no fear. Go for it.
Can you recommend one red and one white that you find to be crowd pleasers. Suggestions?
Two of my current favorite by the glass wines are:
- GRÜNER VELTLINER - Knoll Federspiel, Wachau 2014
- CABERNET FRANC - Charles Joguet Chinon Cuvée Terroir 2013
In your opinion, how do Riedel glasses enhance the wine drinking experience?
Riedel glasses appeal to all senses: visually, tactile, by enhancing aromas and of course by maximizing flavor. They have always been my favorite.
Any big trends that you have been noticing in the wine industry?
Bigger is better - bottles, wine glasses, decanters.. It’s all about the story - of the region, the producer, the grape, etc. Have fun while drinking wine – take the pretense away and just drink, the way that you want to, with the food that you like, with the people that you enjoy!