Lisa Denning
Lisa’s love of food and wine has led her on the path to many culinary adventures. Leaving her position in advertising at The New York Times to attend the French Culinary Institute was the first step in this journey. After years in food styling, recipe development, catering and restaurant work, she landed in the world of wine. Studying at the Sommelier Society of America then led her to four years selling wine and spirits at the venerable Sherry-Lehmann. Most recently Lisa started writing about wine and food on her blog, The Wine Chef. Follow her instagram, @nycrestaurants to see all of her mouth-watering experiences.
Articles by Lisa Denning
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Deeply Rooted Farming Traditions Live on at Dasca Vives, a Biodynamic Winery in Catalonia Spain 01.05.2021
"We believe biodynamics is the way to cultivate, taking into account all the beings that live on the farm, from microorganisms,...
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Interview With Véronique Dausse of Bordeaux's Château Phélan Ségur 12.22.2020
"It’s just incredible because it's a part of yourself that people are enjoying. And it's part of their pleasure and happiness and...
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Q&A With Gonzalo Iturriaga on the Dry Furmint Wine of Hungary's Oremus Winery 11.10.2020
While still a niche market, the top dry Furmint wines of Hungary, like the Oremus Mandolás, are finally getting their due.
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From Fashion to Fermentation: Philippe Pascal of Domaine du Cellier aux Moines 10.13.2020
"As we are the first winery in Givry to become organic and biodynamic, we have generated a lot of curiosity and interest from the...
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Laura Catena's Gold in the Vineyards: A Celebration of The World's Most Iconic Wineries 09.24.2020
"I chose wines that had somehow achieved 'otherworldy' fame, and which had particularly visionary owners and family stories."...
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The Changing Perception of Cava: An interview with Javier Pagés, President of DO Cava 09.04.2020
"In the end, we are a serious region making great wines out of our vineyards and territory, with a very complex method, costly and...
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Growing Grapes in the Parched Hills of Priorat: Interview with René Barbier of Clos Mogador 06.13.2020
"If you taste Priorat, you will have a clear idea that it’s Priorat because 95% of the terroir of Priorat is Llicorella, this...
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Gideon Beinstock of Clos Saron Talks Cults and Cultivation 05.29.2020
"I'm proud of my work, but I don't take credit for greatness in wine because to me that's the vineyard, because there's no greatness...
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Umani Ronchi, Proud Producer of Marche and Abruzzo Wines 04.09.2020
"Our philosophy is to make wines that are, as we say, 'Grandi vini ma non grossi vini,' great wines but not big wines."...
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Interview with Matteo Ascheri, President of The Barolo, Barbaresco, Alba, Langhe, and Dogliani Wine Consortium 03.25.2020
"We are carefully planning our activities and strategy for the upcoming months to make sure we make the right choices for when the...
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Roberto Felluga of Marco Felluga and Russiz Superiore on How The Collio Area is Making Italy's Most Serious White Wines 03.04.2020
The hills of Collio give birth to some of the most complex and interesting white wines, including Pinot Grigio.
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Roberta Bricolo of Cantina Gorgo Carries on Her Family's Dream 02.17.2020
"Wine must be loved not because our life depends on it, but because it makes it more pleasant, more intense, more interesting."...
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Paso Robles: A Wine Community Unlike Any Other 02.07.2020
The Paso Robles region has become a magnet for those looking to be a part of a dynamic and growing wine scene.
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Interview with Naike Bertola of Pratello Winery, a Jewel of Lake Garda 01.16.2020
"This method is based on ecological compensation, elimination of copper, reduction in sulphites and synergy between animals and...
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Carla Benini of Sassotondo Winery on Communicating the Power and Mystery of the Maremma Toscana Land 01.02.2020
"One day we passed by Pitigliano, ... the wind was whipping the yellow grass and the green moss that covered the tufa cliffs. And...
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Champagne Laurent-Perrier: A Success Story Built Upon One Woman's Dream For Her Children 12.20.2019
"She had just finished her first harvest before the Second World War broke out and she put all the bottles of champagne behind a...
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Wine Pioneer Steve Edmunds On Making Joyous Wines That Grab You 11.29.2019
"Cru Beaujolais ... just the smell of that wine would make me feel so happy ... jolly right down to my bones and that was the source...
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The Story Behind Volage, a New Grower Crémant de Loire Rosé 11.20.2019
"The idea is always to be a grower of crémant, because everybody knows about Champagne, and nobody ever talks about growers of...
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Tom Gamble of Gamble Family Vineyards on Teasing out a Wine's Nuances 11.12.2019
"We have to produce good wines, at least us little guys, because we can't just live off this big Napa reputation — we have to keep...
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Laura Catena on Science, Culture and How Argentine Malbec Fits In With The World's Greatest Wines 11.02.2019
"The philosophy of elevating Argentine wine is at the core of everything we do." Laura Catena
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Matteo Soria of Soria Winery on A Heritage Linked to Moscato 10.11.2019
"We are lucky to be in this place because the land is the point where everything starts." Matteo Soria
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Cantine San Marzano: Leading the Winemaking Renaissance of Puglia 10.09.2019
"Puglia has the attention of the market worldwide and we are focusing on improving our winemaking and viticulture. The best wines...
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Wine Tourism in Rioja, A Traveler's Playground 10.04.2019
No longer an insular winemaking community, Rioja's wineries are welcoming visitors with experiences that go beyond the vineyard.
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Andrea Cecchi on 125+ Years of Entrepreneurial Spirit at Famiglia Cecchi Winery 09.30.2019
"Our goal is to give birth to wines with soul and personality, with different characteristics due to the weather, the exposure, the...
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Talking Dirt With Christopher Howell of Cain Vineyard & Winery 09.06.2019
"I would like people to think more about the core issue of the garden, the dirt, and how wine transcends the variety it's made...
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Lucas Payà, From El Bulli Sommelier to Lustau Brand Educator, on Spreading the Word About Sherry, Spain's Most Unique Wine 09.03.2019
"I don’t personally push anyone to drink more sherry, instead, I tell them how good these wines are. At elBulli restaurant, all...
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A Chef's Tale: How Charlie Palmer Built His Empire From New York to Sonoma 08.09.2019
"Once the wine is in a bottle, it is what it is. Whenever we're doing a wine dinner, it starts with wine and then we create a dish...
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Ted Edwards On Crafting Nearly 35 Vintages at Freemark Abbey 06.21.2019
"I've gone out to do tastings, public pourings, and people have thought it was an actual abbey and that I'm one of the monks! I hate...
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Can Ruffino Winery Stay True To Its Roots As It Invests In The Future? 05.29.2019
"There's no other way than tasting. Taste and taste and taste in the cellar, that's our philosophy." -Gabriele Tacconi, Chief...
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Interview With Gil Shatsberg of Israel's Recanati Winery 04.17.2019
"I want to create an Israeli wine that will be mentioned in the same breath as all the great wines from the major wine growing...
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Jasper Riddle of Noisy Water Winery Steps Up to the Plate for New Mexico Wine 03.29.2019
"There's been a growth and an explosion of New Mexico wines. There's a lot of exciting things going on." -Jasper Riddle
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Ross Cobb of Cobb Wines Proves That Harsh Weather Conditions Can Make Beautiful Pinot Noir 03.07.2019
"Wine is so cool, especially Pinot Noir that translates the climate, the vintage, the soil and the vineyard management into the...
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Anthony Hamilton Russell Of Hamilton Russell Vineyards On Making Pinot Noir And Chardonnay In A Slice Of Heaven On Earth 01.22.2019
"We were like mavericks out on a limb, and now Hemel-en-Aarde is a very respected sub-region." South African winemaker Anthony...
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Marilisa Allegrini On Going Outside One's Comfort Zone 01.09.2019
Inspired by her father's teachings, Marilisa Allegrini looks at winemaking as an opportunity for growth and innovation.
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Winemakers
Christian Voeux, In Harmony With Nature At Domaine de l'Amauve 12.10.2018
"My philosophy of winemaking is very simple. Everything is hand-crafted." - Christian Voeux interviewed by Lisa Denning
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Georges Duboeuf And The Story Behind The World's Biggest Wine Party, Beaujolais Nouveau Day 11.15.2018
Get your Gamay on and celebrate the first wine of the harvest TODAY, Thursday, November 15th!
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Elia Pellegrini of Aia Vecchia On Making Recognizable Wines In Tuscany 11.05.2018
"There are many amazing wines around the world, but what's important when tasting wine is to be reminded of the area it comes...
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Bertrand Gourdou Of Château Guilhem On Creating The Malpère Appellation And Continuing His Family's Legacy 10.25.2018
"I arrived at the notary's office and my mother and the buyer were there and she said to me, “What are you doing here?" I said,...
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Ribeiro Rising: How One Of The Oldest Wine Regions Of Spain Is Making Its Comeback 09.27.2018
Some of the best Galician wines are being made in this historic winemaking area.
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Andre Shearer of Cape Classics On People Going Nuts For South African Wine 09.12.2018
From teetotalling male model to owner of the largest importer of South African wines in the US, Andre Shearer talks with Lisa Denning...
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Rupert Symington On The Fight To Keep Port Relevant 08.15.2018
"The sweetness level in a glass of Port is not going to kill you." - Rupert Symington, co-owner/co-CEO, Symington Family Estates
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Château Roquefeuille Stands Out From The Crowd Of Provence Rosé 07.30.2018
Winemaker Lea Rouyet's passion for Grenache shines through brilliantly in her rosés.
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Winemakers
Can Randall Grahm Be The First To Truly Capture California's Terroir? 06.29.2018
"I'm just tired of making wines that are not needed and I think wines of place make the world more interesting." Randall Grahm
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A Conversation With Johan Malan of Simonsig Wine Estate, Pioneers Of South African Bottle-Fermented Sparkling Wine 06.07.2018
The Malan family can trace back its winemaking roots for ten generations. Johan Malan, cellar master at Simonsig Estate, talks with Grape...
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Winemakers
Laurent Bernard De La Gatinais of Tenuta Rapitalà On The Winemaking Renaissance In Sicily 05.28.2018
"Sicily has become a modern, trendy region with a fantastic offer in terms of diversity, quality, know-how in vinification and...
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Winemakers
California's David Ramey Understands That It's All About Making Delicious Wine 05.19.2018
One of the great California winemakers talks with Lisa Denning about how he properly and consistently "schools" his wines.
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Winemakers
Sami Ghosn of Lebanon's Massaya: A Winery Rises Out Of A War-Ravaged Region 05.04.2018
"I got a call from the head of the paratroopers in the Lebanese army saying 'You have to stop the harvest.' I said 'Colonel, we have...
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Virginie Saverys Of Avignonesi Winery Is Bringing New Life To Old Vineyards In Montepulciano 05.03.2018
"In Tuscany you can see people going out into the vineyards in bio suits. There is a higher risk of cancer in the countryside than...
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Winemakers
Château de Haute-Serre Is Helping French Malbec Make A Comeback 04.23.2018
Lisa Denning discusses with Bertrand Vigouroux how his family brought new life to an old grape.
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Sonoma's Up-And-Coming La Pitchoune Winery Is Making Wine To Blow Your Socks Off 04.09.2018
Unscathed by the deadly California wildfires, Tracy Nielsen tell us how her wines will continue to tell their story in the glass.
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Kim Crawford Winery: A Kiwi Success Story 03.24.2018
Head winemaker Anthony Walkenhorst on how Kim Crawford built one of the wine world's biggest brands.
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Talking Food And Wine (And Hair!) With Thomas Pastuszak, Star Sommelier And Advocate For Finger Lakes Wine 02.15.2018
Giving up a career in medicine to pursue a love of food and wine, The NoMad's Wine Director talks to Lisa Denning about Manhattan's...
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Marie Doyard Of André Jacquart Champagne On Why Her Wines Have Personality 12.28.2017
"80% of the personality of my wines is coming from the terroir, the location of my vineyards." - Marie Doyard
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Nicolas Glumineau: Believing In Biodynamics On The Left Bank Of Bordeaux 12.23.2017
A former opera singer, Nicolas Glumineau is now on stage at the renowned Chateau Pichon Comtesse. He talks with Lisa Denning about his...
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Rocking And Rolling With Napa's Lede Family Wines 12.11.2017
Lisa Denning chats with Remi Cohen about how a passion for art, architecture, music and wine led Cliff Lede to create one of Napa's most...
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Winemakers
Bruno Paillard On Going Organic In Champagne 12.06.2017
Bruno Paillard talks with Lisa Denning about his goal of growing the perfect grapes to make wines that are "alive."
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Discovering The Wine And Culture of Bordeaux Through The Millésima Blog Awards 12.04.2017
Millésima, a dynamic Bordeaux negociant, honors the American and European wine blogging community with it's annual writing competition.
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Does Pinot Meunier Have What It Takes To Be A Star? 11.16.2017
Lisa Denning on the two year old Meunier Institut which is working tirelessly to promote its favorite grape, Pinot Meunier.
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Pascal Jolivet On Using Instincts To Make Wine 11.09.2017
By doing the opposite of "what he was supposed to do" Pascal Jolivet is creating pure, terroir-driven Loire Valley wines.
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Berenice Lurton of Chateau Climens On Rotten Grapes And Biodynamic Farming 10.31.2017
Berenice Lurton tells us why everyone should have a bottle of Sauternes in their fridge.
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La Reboule Du Rhône Celebrates The Wines Of Northern Rhône To Benefit No Kid Hungry 10.02.2017
Join in the festivities at New York City's very own "Reboule du Rhône" this November 17-19.
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Winemakers
The Diversity of Alto Adige - Interview With Alois Clemens Lageder 08.31.2017
Lisa Denning talks with the next generation at Alois Lageder winery about the diversity of the Alto Adige wine region and how art and...
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Champalou Vouvray: What I'm Loving Now, Act One, Scene One 08.28.2017
Discover the unique and delicious Champalou Chenin Blancs from Vouvray.
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Antonio Capaldo of Feudi di San Gregorio On Making Wine In The Campanian Volcanic Arc 07.27.2017
"Volcanic deposits, while extremely destructive in the short-term, evolve into rich agricultural soils that provide essential...
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Winemakers
Domaine D'Alzipratu and The Unique Wines of Corsica 06.07.2017
Corsica's recent movement towards exceptional, high-quality wines are found in the bottles of Domaine D'Alzipratu
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Winemakers
Finding Magic in Montalcino With La Mannella 05.10.2017
"For 20 years, the family made wine for themselves and to sell to neighbors and other wineries. The first bottling of the La...
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Features
The Iconic Domaine Tempier From Founders Lulu and Lucien Peyraud To Daniel Ravier Today 02.15.2017
Looking back while moving forward at Domaine Tempier in Bandol.
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Celebrating The Underappreciated: Cabernet Franc Day 2016 12.03.2016
Cabernet Franc Day 2016 - "Yes, surprisingly enough, Cabernet Sauvignon is the product of an accidental cross between Cabernet Franc...
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Matrot Burgundy: In the Sixth Generation, Daughters Take Charge
"As winemakers we are obsessed with quality and we are aware that we are very lucky to take...
Natural Wines of the Aube: Turning Champagne Upside Down
Grower producers in Champagne's southernmost region are leading the way towards a new set of...
Ashbrook Estate: Showcasing the potential of Western Australia's Margaret River
Cath and Kingsley Edwards are a beaming, delightful Aussie couple you want to sit down for a...
Alenza Ribera del Duero: When a Wine Is a Transcendent Pleasure
"This was rich because it seemed like every molecule of the wine was filled with fruit that...