New Year's Resolution: Expand Your Horizons!

Design Expert: Michael Green

 

Michael Green and I agreed to meet in New York at Restaurant 81 on a cool winter day to talk, explore, mix, and sip...and it all began well before noon.  Oh my! 

I entered the restaurant and was brought into another world.  Restaurant 81's main dining area is plush and wraps you into the velvet upholstered banquettes that line the walls and the lighting that just draws you in.  Their Beverage Director, Heather Branch was quite the hostess.  She's a bit of a heavyweight in the world of wine and spirits, herself.  Among other accolades, she was named Sommelier of the YEAR in by Wine & Spirits Magazine in 2004.  I imagine that's a high bar to reach (no pun intended).  Heather and Michael concocted some colorful cocktails and set the tone perfectly for our shoot.

Michael Green is an energetic and creative man.  I have experienced a wine tasting with him as my guide.  I have heard him describe eloquently the parallels between design and fine wine.  His knowledge about wine and spirits can help us all to Expand Our Horizons and think about color and design in every aspect of life-- even when you're enjoying a relaxing drink.   

 

The dining room at Restaurant 81 

Before meeting Michael, I never gave much thought to what a beautiful experience wine tasting and pairing can be.  He has taught me that no matter what your passion is, good design can work into it seamlessly.  In this new year, many of us are taking the time to be more introspective and to think about what really defines us.  As you look in that mirror and ponder, consider what will simultaneously excite you, teach you, and make you smile or even laugh at the same time.  What new horizons do you plan to conquer this year?

Congratulations to Ciarah Coenen!  She has won BOTH prizes!!
   
 

Some Information About Our Prizes:

Living With Wine is a phenomenal book filled with thirty wine cellars that leave me speechless.  Samantha Nestor has assembled stories from coast to coast of how these very divine spaces are being embraced as the heart of the home for so many.  Who knew that Ryan Seacrest is a wine connoisseur?  The book overflows with ideas and inspiration around the art of design around wine.  Thanks to Samantha and her team for donating this book for our giveaway!

 

Wine Down is a monthly cocktail-style party, hosted by our Celebrity WIne Consultant Michael Green and Andrew Levine.  Each event features unlimited tastes of great wines, lively music, and always a great, sophisticated, and eclectic crowd.  The event has been selected as one of "The Best Drinking Events in NYC" by Time Out New York, and has recently been featured in The New York Times, The Feedbag, Wined & Dined, and Guest of a Guest.  The event schedule and venue details will be confirmed with the winner by Michael and Andrew.  If you live in New York or plan to visit, this is a fantastic prize to win!

 

An educator, importer, writer, consultant and retailer, Michael Green was Gourmet Magazine's Wine & Spirits consultant for 19 years. He has been a guest on Food Network’s Emeril Live and Cooking Live as well as CBS Marketwatch, NPR and Clear Channel radio. He has been featured in many national publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Times-Picayune, Business Week, U.S. News and World Report and House Beautiful.

 

Bonus: Remember to go to HomeWorkshop.com to download your copy of Michael Green's Ten Tips on Expanding Your Horizons!

Comments

[olympic london accommodations]

What to add more in this lovely article post. I think it is very well explained and knowledgeable for me. Keep up the good work and expect more fresh content here. Thanks

[Kate Smith]

It doesn't get much better than wine, color and design. Thanks for some great ideas for expanding my horizons.

[Living in Color]

Congrats, Ciarah-- you won both prizes!

[Ciarah Coenen]

Michael co-wrote Wine Lovers, The Wine Tasting Musical and he suggests 1 1/2 glasses of wine per person per hour for cocktail parties.

[cIARAH cOENEN]

1 1/2 glasses per person

[cIARAH cOENEN]

WINE lOVERS