Erin Swain
It’s an interesting time to be a professional Sommelier these days. The pandemic and its effects on the Restaurant industry has changed the traditional image of dining in restaurants. The days of leisurely perusing the wine list with dapper dressed sommeliers fluttering about, delving out their sterling recommendations, popping corks, and rubbing elbows with the who’s who […]
Rosé Picnic
Picnics in 2020 and 2021 have become more popular than ever and instead of bringing a sad ham and cheese sandwich, why not go all out and make a fun day of it like the French do with a homemade tart, salad, and salmon dish. These recipes are easy to execute and don’t take much […]
Miriam Masciarelli and the Wines of Masciarelli Winery in Abruzzo, Italy
Third-generation Italian winemaker Miriam Masciarelli grew up in the family business. As a child, she would attend wine fairs and tastings with her father Gianni Masciarelli, and in high school, she worked in restaurants. After studying economics and management at the University of Rome, she spent time in New York working in public relations and […]
Jeff Osborne
“A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou….” These words, written by Omar Khayyam in the 12th century, are possibly the most famous words in the poetry of wine. Romantic by themselves, to the sommelier, these words may have a far different meaning than they do to the mainstream wine lover, who simply wants […]
Marquita Levy
Dance, wine, and a whole lot of firecracker energy collide in the ‘Crown Heights Office’ of Brooklyn-based Marquita Levy. Born in Chicago to an American mother and Panamanian father, Marquita Levy grew up in Evanston, Illinois. Dreams of dancing and Political Science led her to the University of Chicago, though Vodka Cranberries were mainly what filled […]
7 Highly Underrated Rosé Regions We Love
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of rosé over here at Monarch. What’s not to love? These crisp, acid-driven bottles provide some of the most refreshing drinking experiences on the planet. Whether sitting poolside or pairing with a variety of savory snacks, rosé is a solid go-to pick for year-round sipping. However, not all great […]
Wait, What? Swirling
The Monarch Wine staff is teaming with experts… and also Kevin Chesley. It’s no contest, he’s the Monarch Correspondent that knows the absolute least about vino – which makes him uniquely qualified for investigative reporting into the delicious language wine geniuses use that make us all say, “Wait… what?” The first few dozen times I […]