Our Spotlighted Celeb today is Howie Rubin, wine buyer at Bauer Wine and Spirits. Howie's the second half of the Bauer contingent of the WIU, together making a formidable team in the name of all things wine!
How and when did you first get into wine?
I was living in San Fran in 1975, where one night my restaurant job included bussing tables with just an apron on! The next day I got a call from the London Bar - America's 1st wine bar. They had caught my performance, and believed I had what it takes to work for them. They taught me everything they knew, and soon I was trying about a dozen different wines every week.
Who/what vineyard has been the single biggest inspiration in your world of wine drinking?
I used to work in Mayacamas vineyard in Napa valley. Their cabernet was the wine that pretty much got me into wine. I've been to other vineyards since, but Camas was definitely my launching pad into the vino world.
In your opinion, which country rocks wine the hardest?
I'm leaning towards the northwest on this one: Good American wine with a short history, but the wines keep getting better and better. I always seem to end up there in my travels.
What's something promising that you see in this generation of wine drinkers?
I think the Wine Riot is an indication of what to expect with the younger generation of drinkers. Everyone feels comfortable and energetic, and at the same time inquisitive and out to try new things. It's very encouraging.
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?
I would be pinot noir because its a challenge. Pinot's a fickle grape, doesn't come easy... but the rewards are worth it.
What's the worst wine-induced mistake you've ever made?
I was recently at a Pinot Noir tasting at a famous Central Coast winery in California...I tasted some amazing older Pinot's from around the world, and at the end of the night the winemaker asked me if I'd like to try something "special". It was a rose, and from the smell I knew that some fresh "herbs" had been used as part of the fermentation process. He warned me to limit myself to one glass... instead I had 3! It took me until noon the next day, and a big plate of chile rellenos to come back down to Earth.
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I love Bauer Wine and Spirits! And this was an insightful look into one of the men behind this wonderful store. Now if only I could get my hands on some of that rose…
If I can afford the tickets, I hope to see you at the Riot!