http://socialwinebar.com Wine Bar and Restaurant Charleston, SC Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:50:06 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Chardonnay, the world’s most planted varietal, also seems to be one of the most polarizing- either you love Chard or you hate it.  If I had to choose sides, sorry Chard but it’s been a fun ride. But Wait!  There’s one expression of Chardonnay that I truly enjoy: Chablis.  Actually, ... http://socialwinebar.com/2010/06/15/the-un-chardonnay/ My patient people, I have returned.  Travel and high season at Social has caused my disappearance from the blogosphere but don’t worry, Ballstein is back and better than ever.  Here goes nothin’! Post-Argentina Recently, I had a wonderful opportunity to spend some time touring Mendoza, home of the Argentinian wine community, courtesy ... http://socialwinebar.com/2010/06/02/hola-mis-amigos/ First and foremost, to all our loyal (and even the occasionally loyal) patrons of Social, THANK YOU!!!  We appreciate all your support and will do everything in our power to strive to make the Social experience better everyday. The impetus for all this love is that Social won 3 categories in ... http://socialwinebar.com/2010/03/14/its-official/ First and foremost, I must apologize to my legions of loyal fans (aka my mom) for not making one post in the month of February- the idea of a blog seemed so effortless on paper. Moving on...What a jammed pack month.  Social celebrated its 3rd anniversary- it is still incomprehensible that ... http://socialwinebar.com/2010/03/01/february-shortest-month-ever/ Hola amigos, So I had the most awesome of opportunities to attend the Wine Entrepreneur Conference in DC last week and I figured  that the least I could do is share with you the insights I learned from it.  Sit back, relax, and enjoy two days worth of seminars condensed down ... http://socialwinebar.com/2010/01/27/wine-entrepreneurship-conference/ Part Tres:  Ribera del Duero Yeah Boy!!!  Flavor Flav loves the Ribera del Duero and I bet you can’t guess why. It’s the FLAVOR!!!  This is hedonism at its best for an Old World junkie like myself (the old-school European juice). The details: Spain is technically an old world ... http://socialwinebar.com/2010/01/18/ribera-i-miss-you/ Part Deux:  Bordeaux I’ve spent nearly 3 months over the past 2 years of my life in Bordeaux, attending the ’07 en primeur tastings in one of my stints.  Though I had never gravitated towards Bordeaux, it provided an opportunity for me to really sink my teeth into the region.  ... http://socialwinebar.com/2010/01/09/to-bordeaux-or-bor-dont/ The holidays are over and for us at Social, that means it is time keep working.… and keep drinking and serving the juice.  There are no breaks in the F & B biz and that’s how we like it.  Eye on the Prize.  Eye on the Prize. In Charleston, we ... http://socialwinebar.com/2010/01/06/brunellodr-pepper/ That's right.  You heard me.  Aged Chinon. Well, I was in the NYC doing my thing, mostly tearing up it, when I stumbled onto a bottle of 1990 Chinon 'Les Picasses' from Olga Raffault at Astor Wine & Spirits in Soho (Kick ass shop- check it out).  The wino in me ... http://socialwinebar.com/2009/12/25/aged-chinon/ I have a confession to make...I'm a wine bar junkie. Every city I ever visit, I'm dialed in, I have done the research and I know where I am going.  I have to make sure I get my fix of wine bardom.  Some are more addicting than others, depending on the ... http://socialwinebar.com/2009/12/10/terroir-you-glorious-beast/