About Me
Who I am
I was brought up in a family where food and sharing it together was a part of life. My parents already in the 70´s were engaged in food and wine clubs (way before this became trendy). And I remember many family weekends and holidays spent cooking at home or visiting restaurants when going on vacations.
I consider myself very fortunate. For almost 25 years, I´ve had the privilege to work with my passion. I´ve traveled the world. Seen the most beautiful and amazing places, and met with people who have touched me forever. Wine growers and wine makers who are proud of their history, their legacy and of course of their wines. To see the hard work that comes from cultivating the land. But also the gratitude and pleasure of seeing the final result...and to get to taste it.
I did culinary training and passed my Sommelier diploma with the Restaurant Academy in Stockholm. I also hold a diploma degree with London Wine & Spirit Education Trust. And I am a member of the international Sommelier association. I also hold a business and logistics degree.
My professional life has taken me around the world. Working for number a number of hotels, restaurants and wineries. My main focus has always been wine, handling the export side for many of the wineries I worked for. For a number of years I also worked as an international broker, selling bulk wines from all over the world.
Today I am the export director for one of the largest U.S Wineries located in California.
Food for thought
Cooking and sharing food with people is what make me "tick". I believe that sitting down around a table with a good group of friends is very gratyfying. The conversation, the questions, the comments. Around the table there is no right or wrong. Everyone is equal.
On my trips around the world I´ve had the pleasure of eating at a number of stunning places…..
Oysters picked fresh out of the basins outside of Montpellier with a glass of Picpoul de Pinet...Percebes from the rocks off the cliffs of the Atlantic with a crisp Albariono…A creamy asparagus Risotto in the hills of Follina with Signora Clemi and a glass of Prosecco...Or in a back alley in Shanghai with a plate of fried pork, ginger, chili and garlic with an ice cold beer...
Food and what we drink with it often is about the moment. Where did we eat/drink? Who were we with? What was the weather like? What was the atmosphere like?
I often get comments from people who have brought home a bottle of wine they had while on vacation. And many times they comment that the wine "didn´t taste the same at home".
Well, maybe that glass you had on vacation was when the sun was setting over the ocean, there was a light breeze and the smell of fresh lemons in the air...
When you tasted the same wine again, at home, it was a rainy November night, the dog was barking, the kids were screaming...it will not taste the same, I promise :-)
Wine and beverages in general is to me so much more then what is in the glass. Its like drinking history...
But it is equally as much about with who we share it. And I like sharing my passion with others. As a matter of fact, wine is actually best shared WITH others...
"Wine is poetry in a bottle"
(Robert Louis Stevenson)
Tasting, pairing, advise
Together with my wife Betsy (and dog Marley) we live just outside of Doylestown, PA. Its a beautiful old stone house that used to be a dairy farm back in the days.
We try hard to make the most of the land. We grow our own fruit and vegetables. We have bees, produce honey and keep chickens. Also "playing around" with producing our own sausages, ham etc. All from local farmers.
At our home we invite people to come and join us to explore the food & wine world. We can host groups of up to 12 people for a memorable evening. This can be everything from 3-6 dishes (or more), all expertly paired with matching wines and a story to go with it. This can be a theme (Italian, French, Spanish) or based on seasonal produce. Together we come up with a menu that is suitable to your wishes.
I also offer advise for people interested in building their own wine cellars as well as recommending suitable beverages for parties, weddings, corporate events etc.
I look forward to planning an exceptional experience together with you.
FRED