I’m having lunch on a Monday after a Saints’ victory the night before, and I order some bubbly. No, not the “house sparkling,” the good stuff. “We’ll take your best vintage Champagne. Yes, the 2005.” It’s a Monday afternoon in New Orleans, and I’m still riding the high of that nail-biting victory in the Dome last night. 14 hours after the game-winning field goal was kicked, my nerves have finally calmed down, and I can appreciate a glass of perfectly aged Champagne. The feeling of “we’ve been here before” rings true for any Saints fan who has experienced the ultimate highs of victory and the utterly agonizing traumas of defeat, and the only wine that can stand up to this particular nostalgia is real, true vintage Champagne. The subtle hiss of a shriveling (but well-cellared!) cork easing out of a bottle of bubbly evokes the not-so-subtle collective sigh of relief that fills the 76,000 Who Dats during this all-too-familiar scene. No team brings their fans or their city on quite the emotional journey that the Saints inflict on the city of New Orleans. Popping this bottle feels perfect in every way, down to the glittering golden hue, reminiscent of my favorite team’s jerseys. Pouring the first glass is met with the same exhilaration that fills New Orleans during a victorious season, the bubbles flowing as quickly as the momentum of the fans. While most seasons are ripe with angry whiskey shots and tossed beer into the stands, this emotional turmoil only makes the wins that much more special. And, much like the moment feels when the game ball sails through the uprights in just the right way, the first sip of Champagne from a most-special bottle, tastes like victory.
Driving home from work the following Wednesday, I get a call from my cousin. “Hey, hey! I just ran into Aunt Martha. She said you were liking your new job! Been a minute since we’ve gotten together, let’s grab dinner.” I don’t have time to run to the store to pick out the perfect wine for the night, so I have to grab a good-for-any-event bottle from my personal collection. You know what? I’ll treat him to the single-vineyard Pinot Noir I’ve been cellaring, because I really haven’t seen my cousin since the last family wedding, and a spontaneous reunion should be a celebration. “No better time than the present to open this,” I tell him over a home-cooked meal where he insists, “You shouldn’t have,” while sharing photos of kids and family vacations.
Friday has arrived, and it’s been another long week. My co-workers and I head to lunch and grab some martinis. As luck would have it, in the moment between “Would you like another drink?” and “May I see the wine list?” a parade has begun on the street. Wait, I didn’t see the first part of the procession - Is that a second line for a wedding or a jazz funeral? Either way, there’s no way I’m making it back to work any time soon. My boss will understand. And, chances are, she’ll be stuck in parade traffic, too. We don’t know how long we’ll be here, so we might as well get something that’s easy sipping. Who knows, this Friday afternoon might turn into a Friday night pretty quickly - this is New Orleans after all. “How about a bottle of this Sancerre?”
Victory Monday Wine: Vintage Champagne (2005, preferably). With over a decade of aging, Champagnes from this stellar vintage are wines you can sink your teeth into. They are beginning to develop all those toasty, nutty notes you’d expect from aged bubbles, while still exhibiting a ton of freshness that will wake up the palate and take you back to that “Who Dat” moment you crave.
Reminiscing Wednesday Wine: Single-vineyard Pinot Noir (Oregon, preferably). With its location parallel to that of Burgundy, it’s no wonder that Pinot Noir from Oregon stunningly evokes some of the world’s most prized wines. The best part, without all those crazy import taxes, Oregon Pinot is just the wine to elevate any Wednesday night.
Serendipitous Friday Wine: Sancerre. Like so many things in New Orleans, Sancerre is the perfect marriage of old and new and provides something for everyone. Any Sauvignon Blanc from this region is certain to be the easy-going white that can follow a martini and not break the bank.
Tell us about the vibe you want for your Birthday Extravaganza Thursday, Wedding Celebration Saturday, or Cocktail Party Sunday, and we’ll help you make the perfect wine selections for the event. Whether you are looking for some fun bubbles to get grandma on the dance floor or a selection of elegant wines to pair with a seated dinner, we can curate your wine to perfectly fit your day, your personality, and your budget.
Here in New Orleans, we are natural celebrators. We can make a victory Monday, a family Wednesday, and a boozy Friday lunch feel special. Your wedding day at The Parlor will be your day to celebrate, and naturally, we will be making it extra special.
(Bio):
Alexandra Minton joined QED Hospitality as Sommelier of Jack Rose in 2018, overseeing all aspects of the wine program. Minton brings with her more than 10 years of experience in fine dining and casual establishments and is a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Certified Beer Server through the Certified Cicerone Program.
A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Minton originally studied music for orchestral percussion. While working in restaurants throughout school, however, she quickly realized that hospitality is her passion and worked her way into managerial positions for the New South Restaurant Group in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It was during her five years with the company that she found her passion for wine, organizing weekly wine classes for staff, planning an annual Wine Expo, and expanding the 1,500+ label list.
In 2012 she became the Sommelier and General Manager of Stella! Restaurant in New Orleans for two years before moving to Square Root. Here, as Sommelier and Front of House Manager, she was responsible for the ever-evolving wine list and working closely with the chefs to craft unique and creative pairings for tasting menus, in addition to all managerial duties.
In her current role, Minton is excited and challenged to highlight unique wines and makers from under-the-radar regions, with a large focus on domestic sourcing. She takes a great deal of pride in surprising her guests with purposeful, eco-friendly selections that are readily accessible to help further their personal educations and palettes.
Minton was recently named one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s “40 Under 40 Tastemakers” for 2019 for her commitment to sharing and spreading her love of small-production and natural wines with her guests by introducing them with the same celebratory and attitude-free vibe that defines the Big Easy.