Meet Brahm Callahan, Wine Director at Post 390 in Boston. A wino born and raised, catch Brahm at Riot 1, Saturday 1-5!
How and when did you first get into wine?
I made wine as a kid with my family. We made it for our own personal consumption, so I was definitely exposed to the world of wine early on.
What are your drunken munchies?
Buffalo wings, if I can get 'em. No really, I have a problem - anything with buffalo sauce, and I’m all over it. Unfortuantely though, my drunken munchies tend to be whatever's left over in the fridge. And most of the time it's really old and weird.
What's the worst wine-induced mistake you've ever made?
I’ve certainly had a couple. . . . A memorable one was when I was in Napa doing a tasting with my dad and brother. I was dressed in a white T and jeans. Like clockwork, my first glass of red sloshed right onto my shirt. I had to do tastings for the rest of the day looking like I'd been shot with a shotgun.
Whats your favorite wine pairing?
Personally, I love pasta and butter and cheese, and soy sauce on top! It’s really good, you should try it some time. For wine pairings in general I like to use Riesling probably more than any other grape. Its versatility is unmatched.
If you were a grape destined for wine, in what region of the world would you and your vine-mates want to grow, and why?
If I were a grape, I would be pinot noir – from Burgundy! Pinot grapes differ dramatically based on vineyard to vineyard due to all sorts of factors, even if the vineyards are close to each other. I find it’s the expression of the grape is in its purest form.
Whats one of the biggest misconceptions out there regarding wine?
That it has to be serious, or hoity-toity. People forget that it's just grape juice. I come from a generation of wine exposure and a life time of fine dining experience, so I know my stuff. But no one needs to hold that over any one else, or lord it over someone who doesn’t know. You need to be on point, sure, but not an inhibitor for other people.
