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Don’t Smell the Cork
AMERICA’S FIRST MASTER SOMMELIER, La Jolla’s Eddie Osterland, spends his days teaching the art of “power” entertaining to corporate executives across the nation. “A lot of business is conducted over meals, both in restaurants and homes,” says Osterland. “Being savvy about food and wine means more to potential clients than you might think.”
On his list of dos and don’ts: Serve the best wines and foods first (people pay greater attention during the first 30 minutes); limit appetizers (hunger erodes quickly); don’t smell the cork (it’s pretentious); use “food wines” with appropriate acidity (Sauvignon Blancs, German Rieslings and Pinot Noirs); and always chill the reds before serving (to bring out their fruitiness).
Osterland’s expertise has been 30-plus years in the making. In the late 1960s, while working on a master’s degree in behavioral psychology, a chance summer job at a Honolulu restaurant inspired a newfound love for fine food and wine. Following his passion, Osterland moved to Europe. After completing his Diplôme Universitaire D’Aptitude a la Dégustation des Vins at the Université de Bordeaux in France, he received his master sommelier certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers in London in 1973, becoming the first American to pass the notoriously rigorous exam.
Osterland was still in France when the historic 1976 Paris tasting, of recent Bottle Shock fame, changed the way the world viewed California wine. He eventually moved back to the States to become trade education director at the International Wine Center in New York City. While on a nationwide tour for American Express teaching restaurateurs and hotel staff how to sell wine, he discovered La Jolla.
“I immediately knew I wanted to live here,” he says, “because it not only reminded me of France’s Côte d’Azur but also had its own distinct magic.”
Among Osterland’s sage suggestions for entertaining: “Use wine to create conversation. The next time you have guests over for dinner, serve two different vintages from one winery or the same varietals from several wineries.” He also suggests ordering gourmet food from online retailers such as dartagnan.com (French) or latienda.com (Spanish). “Everyone goes to Costco,” he says. “Set yourself apart——serve something different.” For more tips, visit eddieosterland.com. ——BONNIE HORRIGAN
Canine Canvas
IN MANY WAYS, Ziggy is your typical dog: He loves car rides, rolling on his back and doggy treats. But he’s far from typical in one major way: Ziggy is a bona fide painter. The 4-year-old Pekingese resides in Fallbrook with his owner, Elizabeth Monacelli, who discovered her dog’s talent a year ago, after she taped a paintbrush to a paper towel roll (one of Ziggy’s favorite toys) and placed him in front of a canvas.
Monacelli dips the paintbrush into the acrylic paint, but Ziggy does all of the actual brushstrokes. The painting sessions normally last 20 to 30 minutes, unless Ziggy is feeling stubborn and refuses to paint (sign of a true artiste?).
Twenty of Ziggy’s original paintings were recently featured at an art opening and reception in Santa Monica. The pieces, averaging 8 by 10 inches, garner between $75 and $150 apiece. A portion of the proceeds from Ziggy’s artwork is donated to Palm Springs–based Forget Me Not Pekingese Rescue. Visit Ziggy’s Web site (ziggythepaintingpekingese.com) to view more of his work. ——ELIZABETH BUCKLEY
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