SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. – If movies have the Oscar, and television has the Emmy, then Michelin’s Star Ratings are the Oscars of dining. But Soon, Michelin will be rating exceptional wineries worldwide with their own kind of Oscar.
Let there be grapes
“I’m swirling the wine to blend a little air, specifically oxygen with the natural compounds of wine that’s gonna release all the aromas,” said Deepak Gulranjani, owner and winemaker at Nicholson Ranch Winery. He sells only through his tasting room or to wine club members.
He was happy to hear that Michelin, legendary rater and recommender of eateries, upon which a few are given star ratings, will soon rate wineries. Wineries will not receive stars, but Michelin Grapes, beginning next year in France.
But Napa, Sonoma and other major California wine regions cannot be too far off.” said Mr. Gulranjani. Michelin’s expert judges include proven sommeliers, wine-type specialists and other wine and winery experts.
Hopes of younger clientele
Rob McMillan is senior vice president of Silicon Valley Bank winery financing. “I think it’s a really good thing for the industry. Anytime you bring in somebody with that kind of a reputation, it can only be helpful,” said McMillan. “You know, we’ve got to have an on-ramp for younger consumers and when I say younger, I mean under 60,” he said.…