Mar 20, 2017
Sommelier Mikey Crews figured out how to change the light bulbs without borrowing a ladder. Our hero!
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Sommelier Mikey Crews figured out how to change the light bulbs without borrowing a ladder. Our hero!
Cross-training a sommelier to the bar is always rewarding. Michael Crews makes his first BIJOU.
Our super sommelier Michael Crews is a very busy man- working at Shift Drinks by night and pictured [above] in Lodi, California evaluating his Zinfandel vines. Yesterday, Michael was testing for brix and pH and tasting for ripeness so he can make the best decision on when to harvest for his company Wine Grapes Direct.
Sommelier Michael Crews demonstrates the crushablity of AMERICA LAGER from UPRIGHT BREWING. We took the last keg of AMERICA. It’s on tap now at Shift Drinks. They’re not going to say this on the UPRIGHT website, but word on the street, this is their version of the ‘King of Beers’. Keeping in fine tradition of Portland craftspeople taking the inspiration from the essence of something that is sorta whack, paying homage to it by making it soigné, we’re huge fans. Any of you ever get to try the little 'Filet-o-Fish’ Nomad did for their late night #crushkilldestroy menu, siiick, right? Anyway, it’s another 97+ degree scorcher today, this limited production rendition of a macro-style lager will probably not last the night. Hurry in while supplies last. Nice work, Mikey.
Sommelier Michael Crews tasting with Chad Stock of Minimus Wines [above] Michael and Anthony came to the conclusion that Chad has the biggest cojones of winemakers in Oregon, when you take into account the miniscule amount of grapes he works with and the high risks he takes fashioning it into delicious wine. It was a pleasure to finally meet him. We still have the Minimus No. 16 “Flower” Experimental by the glass for a limited time.
Nothing says “authentic wine from the Republic of Georgia” quite like a somm in a Hawaiian shirt. Gotsa Family Wines, Asureti Valley, Chinuri 2014 lists today. Tasting Notes color- gold to russet to orange medium-plus concentration nose- roasted lemon, dried orchard fruit, “fennel pulled from earth” almond, wet saltillo tile, saline palate- full bodied, elevated acid, elevated tannin, a note of game emerges, long finish. The grape is Chinuri. Drinks like a red wine. The wine spent 6 months on the skins in qvevri [earthenware amphora].
Do you think anyone else on the squad would take everything off the metro shelf to thoroughly dust it without being asked? Michael Crews you’re not only a tremendous sommelier, unflappable under pressure, but a selfless team player. We’re glad Mikey’s with us and intrigued and impressed with his company Wine Grapes Direct. We’ve recently stumbled upon the company’s YouTube channel and really like it. Click here to view it.
Michael Crews [pictured right] while being a talented sommelier & possessing a dry delivery when taking the piss out of one of his co-workers [or mainly Anthony], his real/day job is owning a sick company with his brother Andrew [pictured left], Wine Grapes Direct. Wine Grapes Direct freezes and ships the coveted wine grapes of the West Coast to winemakers throughout North America. One of the most unique aspects of their business is providing amateur winemakers and niche wineries ACCESS to a long list of pedigreed vineyards in Oregon, California, and Washington. Last week, the brothers also won 7 medals for wine they made together as part of the conference for WineMaker Magazine, the trade publication for this industry. Nice. We're super lucky to have Michael on the team.