@RN74

@wineguy06 (Lawrence Lee): Been awhile, but its almost time for #SommChat ! #ww #wine @keepercoll what’s on the menu?!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): @wineguy06 @RN74 will talk about balanced #Wine #IPOB @balancedpinot to name a few #SommChat

@MDSomm (Davis Smith): @keepercoll will Raj be tweeting from @RN74 or @sandhiwines at #SommChat today?

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): @MDSomm Will tweet from @RN74 but will also talk about @sandhiwines #SommChat

@ShitMySommSays (ShitMySommelierSays): The Slumdog Sommelier is on #SommChat today. Jai-Ho. @RN74 @keepercoll

@MDSomm (Davis Smith): Excited to ask @RN74 some questions this #WW on #SommChat!

@StephanieMiskew (Stephanie Miskew CSW): Looking forward to #SommChat today with Rajat Parr @RN74! Starting right now – see you there:)

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Welcome to #SommChat everyone! Tell your friends to join us to learn from #Sommelier Rajat Parr!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): We’d like to introduce you to @RN74 #SommChat #Sommelier #WW

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): We’re about ready to dive in w/questions, so shout out to Rajat to say hello & so he knows you’re here! #WineWednesday #SommChat #Sommelier

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Don’t forget that EVERY tweet during this chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order for everyone to see it! #WW

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): As we ask @RN74 our Qs, you can ask Rajat your Qs as well! He’ll do his best to answer all Qs in the order they come #SommChat #WW

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Let’s start talking #wine with @RN74 #WineWednesday #SommChat #Sommelier

@Vinum_Wine (Vinum_Wine): Rajat Parr @RN74 coming at you live via #SommChat. Here we go! #WW

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): Good morning all! Chilly day in Chicago, but on my way to wine interview after #SommChat !

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): excited to be here. I’m ready! #SommChat

@mattreiser (Matt Reiser): Welcome Raj from @RN74 to #SommChat was nice 2 finally meet u at #IPOB and taste your wines

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @RN74 You had only read about #wine until age 20- why was your exposure so limited until then? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): A. @keepercoll i was living in India & there wasn’t much wine to taste. my 1st #wine experience was with my uncle in the UK in 1993 #SommChat

@MDSomm (Davis Smith): Q. @RN74 Coming out to San Fran this week looking for Somm work. What are some restaurants in the Bay Area I should check out? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @MDSomm Quince, Sons & Daughters, Michael Mina, SPQR #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @RN74 What is your #wine philosophy? How has it changed over the years of your career, if at all? #WineWednesday #SommChat #sommelier

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): A. @keepercoll i have a very simple wine philosophy – “Wine is the Elixir of life to be drunk between good friends and family” #SommChat

@plepeltier (pascalinelepeltier): So great to tweet you @RN74 @keepercoll #SommChat!

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @plepeltier Great to be here. Thanks for joining us! #SommChat

@DistrictWineGuy (Matthew Latuchie): favorite “unknown” french producer??? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @DistrictWineGuy Jacky Blot in Montlouis #SommChat

@mattreiser (Matt Reiser): @RN74 what is your favorite wine with veggies? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @mattreiser I love Sancerre with Veggies #SommChat

@MDSomm (Davis Smith): Q. @RN74 How important do you think winemaking/vineyard experience is for a somm working the floor? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @MDSomm Very Very Important. #SommChat

@ENOontheMagMile (ENO): @RN74 @keepercoll Q-Since you travel quite a bit, what are some of the most rapidly changing US city wine markets? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @ENOontheMagMile Chicago, Charleston & Austin #SommChat

@MattMcGinnis (Matt McGinnis): Good to know the rapidly changing wine scenes RT @RN74 @ENOontheMagMile Chicago, Charleston & Austin #SommChat

@fernandobeteta (Fernando Beteta, MS): .@RN74 coming to live on #SommChat right now. @sandhiwines off the hook.

@plepeltier (pascalinelepeltier): Q @RN74 @keepercoll what is your biggest challenge when making wine in Santa Barbara? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @plepeltier Our biggest Challenge is to get the fruit in early so we don’t get any dehydration.i like it crunchy, high acidity #SommChat

@StevieStacionis (StevieStacionis): #SommChat #WW @keepercoll @RN74 What are your goals for 2012? How do you stay on track?

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @StevieStacionis WE are starting a small Negociant in Burgundy.and opening tasting room for Sandhi in Los Olivos.I aim for balance #SommChat

@scottota (Scott Ota): @RN74 Welcome Raj! I must ask a Burgundy question: in your opinion, what are the 3 most underrated vintages of red burgundy? #SommChat #WW

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @scottota for Red 1991. 1998 & 2001 #SommChat

@Vinum_Wine (Vinum_Wine): Q. @RN74 What came first? Your love of wine in general or your acute appreciation for Burgundy? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @Vinum_Wine My love for wine was first. i fell in love with burgundy in 1996 #SommChat

@MDSomm (Davis Smith): Q. @RN74 Do many of your somms take time off during harvest to go get that experience? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @MDSomm Absolutely. i encourage them to go work in Europe or in CA. @erailsba worked at Roulot with @luchets007 last harvest #SommChat

@mattreiser (Matt Reiser): @RN74 @keepercoll wow packed house…good luck keeping up with Qs Raj! #SommChat #sommjam

@MattMcGinnis (Matt McGinnis): .@RN74 what is your favorite wine to enjoy outside on a beautiful spring say? #SommChat #WW

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @MattMcGinnis I love to have a nice Corsican Rose while I’m outside. #SommChat

@wolfeswines (Jeffrey Wolfe): Love @sandhiwines & @RN74 Raj is like an octopus -hands in everything what keeps you balanced? @keepercoll #SommChat #IPOB

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @wolfeswines Green tea, lots of work out on the squash court and just my love for wine! #SommChat

@mikemadrigale (Michael Madrigale): Q: @RN74 @keepercoll #SommChat Hey Raj, what’s your favorite Indian food and wine pairing?

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @mikemadrigale Riesling and Syrah. Try Chicken masala with Jamet Cote Rotie #SommChat

@Sassodoro (Sassodoro): Raj Parr’s fav Indian food and wine pairing RT @RN74: @mikemadrigale Riesling and Syrah. try Chicken masala with Jamet Cote Rotie #SommChat

@ENOontheMagMile (ENO): @RN74 @keepercoll Q- Are you disappointed in general direction CA & even Burgundy PN went in last decade? Is it correcting itself? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @ENOontheMagMile yes, but I think a small group of producers are trying to make more delicate style wines. i thinks it’s changing #SommChat

@alawine (Ken #wine): @RN74 How do you choose wines for your wine list? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @alawine i try to analyze the market we are in and then off course base it on the cuisine. #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): #SommChat @keepercoll @RN74 Any plans to work with Syrah in CA?

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @corkhoarder i did make syrah in CA from 2004-2008. now i am only focusing on Chardonnay and Pinot. maybe in the Future? #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): It’s Rose season again! @RN74: @MattMcGinnis I love to have a nice Corsican Rose while I’m outside. #SommChat

@drooln (Nathan Yap): @RN74 How often do you work the floor, and do you rotate between restaurants within the Mina Group? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @drooln I am on the floor at RN74 every night if i am in SF. #SommChat

@MDSomm (Davis Smith): Q. @RN74 Heard that people in CA love to drink CA wine. Do you ever have any trouble selling non-CA wine to customers? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @MDSomm no Trouble. We have some of the most sophisticated guests. They will try anything we recommend #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): @RN74 In your opinion, what distinguishes Corsican Rose from others? @MattMcGinnis @keepercoll #SommChat #WineWednesday

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @enjoielife It has a unique intensity and power while being finesse driven and light colored #SommChat

@MattMcGinnis (Matt McGinnis): Yum love Rose RT @RN74: @MattMcGinnis I love to have a nice Corsican Rose while I’m outside. #SommChat

@Vinum_Wine (Vinum_Wine): Q. @RN74 Heard lots about the tasting you did @PBFW from @dlus. Any chance you’ll come to Seattle to do something like that? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @Vinum_Wine Sure. if #PBFW wants to organize another one, I’m in. #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): Wines to drink with Indian food: @RN74: @mikemadrigale Riesling and Syrah. try Chicken masala with Jamet Cote Rotie #SommChat

@wineguy06 (Lawrence Lee): @RN74 when it comes to varietals, what do you think is undervalued or a diamond in the rough out of California? #SommChat #wine #ww

@alawine (Ken #wine): @RN74 thanks Rajat, what proportion of wines on your list are local? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @alawine at RN74 we are 10% local at @michaelminasf we are 50% local #SommChat

@Vinum_Wine (Vinum_Wine): @RN74 Was it a specific wine, producer, vintage or experience that did it for Burgundy? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @Vinum_Wine 1986 Raveneau Chablis Les Clos at Rubicon in December 1996 #SommChat

@fernandobeteta (Fernando Beteta, MS): .@RN74 How often do you travel (days per year)? Seems like you are always on tour. #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @fernandobeteta last year i was home for less than 100 days. this year i am hoping to get to be home for 200 days #SommChat

@michaelshearin (Michael Shearin): @RN74 Hey Raj, how are you? What are your thoughts on “orange” wines such as Radikon, Gravner, Bea etc. and their place with food? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @michaelshearin They have a place on wine lists. i rarely drink them but i do like it with dishes that have umami (Japanese) #SommChat

@ENOontheMagMile (ENO): @RN74 @keepercoll Q-Any PN producers outside CA/OR/FR that you think are worth championing? Any areas surprising you with quality? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @ENOontheMagMile One of the best Pinot Noir’s in the New World is Bell Hill from Waipara in New Zealand #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): NZ the new frontier for Pinot Noir? RT @RN74 One of the best Pinot Noirs in the New World is Bell Hill from Waipara in New Zealand #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): #SommChat @keepercoll @RN74 What’s one of your favorite bottles of wine under $25?

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @corkhoarder Maxime Laurent Cotes du Rhone 2010 #SommChat

@ShitMySommSays (ShitMySommelierSays): Raj knows how to Parr-ty. #SOMMCHAT @RN74

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @ShitMySommSays You know it!!! #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): As only he can do it! @ShitMySommSays: Raj knows how to Parr-ty. #SOMMCHAT @RN74

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): @RN74 at what point in your Somm career did U feel the urge to make your own wine? #SommChat @keepercoll

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @CaravelleChamp I was got curious in 2004 but got serious in 2008. #SommChat

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @keepercoll – Just joined a Tasting Group, and feel so lost-these people are such pros! How can I best practice away from group? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @keepercoll @demilove i think the best way is to taste alone with a few wines, and write down the questions you have in your mind. #SommChat

@jennanorth (Jenna North): Following #SommChat today w/ @RN74 and host @keepercoll #WW #balance // Also following => #IPOB @sandhiwines @balancedpinot #CA #wine

@JeremySeysses (Jeremy Seysses): @RN74 Are you actually #mostinterestingsommintheworld ? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @JeremySeysses I wish!! #SommChat

@Vinum_Wine (Vinum_Wine): @RN74 Have you revisited that specific Raveneau Chablis since? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @Vinum_Wine Not in 10 years. #SommChat

@MDSomm (Davis Smith): Q. @RN74 How do you feel about German PN? I’ve had a couple recently that were fantastic! #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @MDSomm Yes, i like them. we don’t get the best ones in the US and often times they are too expensive! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @RN74 Late last yr, u & @jasminehirsch started In Pursuit of Balance #IPOB can u tell us about that? #WineWednesday #SommChat #Sommelier

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): A. @keepercoll Our initial idea was 2 have a discussion about balance with like minded producers- had no idea it would become so big! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @RN74 How did the idea for #IPOB come about in the first place? #WineWednesday #SommChat #Sommelier

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): A. @keepercoll it came after seeing a lot of our guests asking about wines w more finesse. then we decided 2 start a discussion #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Wow can you bellieve we’re more than halfway into our #SommChat Parr-ty! @ShitMySommSays. Keep the questions coming! CHEERS #WW

@AdamPlotkin (Adam Plotkin): @RN74 @keepercoll Any plans for an #IPOB event in Colorado? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @AdamPlotkin Not yet but if there is enough interest, we would love to do it. It’s tough getting a group of 25 producers together #SommChat

@alawine (Ken #wine): check out interesting #SommChat with @RN74 …in progress now!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @RN74 What is the overall goal of #IPOB, in your opinion? What do you hope to achieve? #WineWednesday #SommChat #sommelier

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): A. @keepercoll hope 2 understand the meaning of balance then stop doing the tasting b/c everyone will be making balanced wines! #SommChat

@ShitMySommSays (ShitMySommelierSays): .@RN74 I blind tasted with you once & you nailed Trousseau. Is there Bloodhound in you? #SOMMCHAT

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @ShitMySommSays I taste what’s in the glass. “the juice is always right” #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @RN74 Tell us about your winery- what’s new with #SandhiWines? #WineWednesday #SommChat #Sommelier

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): A. @keepercoll Sandhi’s a wine focused on Chard & Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills- just want 2 make fresh & vibrant wines! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @RN74 What’s coming up for #SandhiWines? Any new summer bottles? #WineWednesday #SommChat #Sommelier

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): A. @keepercoll just released 5 wines from our 2nd vintage (2010). 4 single vineyards coming this fall. see http://www.sandhiwines.com #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @RN74 Favorite #food and #wine pairing of 2012 thus far? #WineWednesday #SommChat #Sommelier

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): A. @keepercoll Gr8est pairing of 2012= Fresh Uni & Dauvissat Chablis Preuses 02 w @robertbohr & @nedbenedict thx 2 @aldosohm #SommChat

@pazlevinson (paz levinson): Q. @RN74 Did making wine change your conception of wine? do you now allow things in wine that before not? @keepercoll #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @keepercoll @pazlevinson making wine is a humbling experience. its like practicing patience. yes, i taste and drink wine differently #SommChat

@MDSomm (Davis Smith): Q. @RN74 What do you look for when hiring somms for you restaurants? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @MDSomm Humility, Strong work ethic and passion for wine. They need to live and breath wine! #SommChat

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): Somm qualities Raj looks 4 RT @RN74: @MDSomm Humility, Strong work ethic and passion for wine. they need to live and breath wine! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @RN74 Secrets of the #Sommeliers had great success- any plans for another book? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): A. @keepercoll Yes!! @jorgrama and i are working on a project. will keep you posted #SommChat

@ENOontheMagMile (ENO): @RN74 @keepercoll Q-Everyone asks about PN & Chard, but what would be some of your favorite NW Cab/CF/Merlot producers? Curveball? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @ENOontheMagMile i rarely drink Domestic cabernet (unless it’s old) i like Dunn, @cathycorison @gramercycellars and Arnots Roberts #SommChat

@AdamPlotkin (Adam Plotkin): Wine Tweeps: very interesting #SommChat with @RN74 happening right now. Tune in! #wine

@elloinos (Markus Stolz): @RN74 Is there any particular reason that the SF wine crowds are so open towards trying new and interesting wines? #SommChat

@elloinos (Markus Stolz): @elloinos I think the clientele are young and enthusiastic about wine. also, they are exposed to a lots of different wines here! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @RN74 Can you give us the inside scoop on any new/different events that we can expect to see with #IPOB 2013? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): A. @keepercoll I think we are going to keep the format the same but might go the #IPOB to some different cities. @jasminehirsch ? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @keepercoll @RN74 There are so many great possible cities for #ipob 2013! We’re open to all ideas! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @RN74 #SommChat Favorite Question – what are your fav white/red/bubbly under $50 retail?

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @keepercoll Pierre Peters Reserve NV, Patrick Puize Chablis 2010, Lapierre Morgon 2010 #SommChat

@trouty (Jon Troutman): @RN74 With Burgundy prices going thru the roof, are there any producers you think go unsung and overdeliver for the $? #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): @trouty Pierre Yves Colin, Charles Audoin etc are doing a great job amongst others #SommChat

@MDSomm (Davis Smith): Have to run to work and taste with distributors. Thanks, @RN74 and @keepercoll for the great #SommChat!

@alawine (Ken #wine): @elloinos hey Markus, come visit & we’ll got to @RN74 #SommChat

@elloinos (Markus Stolz): .@alawine Done. Will be visiting around June 6 to 10, will be in touch! #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): shout out to my boy @jamiekutch welcome back to SF #SommChat

@JamieKutch (Jamie Kutch): Let’s pop some corks soon! There’s no place like #NopaSF RT: @RN74: shout out to my boy @jamiekutch welcome back to SF #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Time to wrap up! Hope you enjoyed this hour of #wine chat with #Sommelier Rajat Parr @RN74 #WineWednesday #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): It was great to have Rajat join us today for #SommChat. We hope everyone learned as much as we did! #WineWednesday

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Please join us in thanking Rajat @RN74 for his time #SommChat #WW #Sommelier

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): If any1 missed some of the chat today, remember we’ll post an archive soon to http://bit.ly/ikBrJx for you to review later #SommChat

@Sassodoro (Sassodoro): Thanks much! This has been great! RT @keepercoll: Please join us in thanking Rajat @RN74 for his time #SommChat #WW #Sommelier

@AdamPlotkin (Adam Plotkin): @keepercoll @RN74 Thanks to you both–very interesting session! #SommChat #WW

@pazlevinson (paz levinson): @keepercoll @RN74 #wine #Sommelier #WineWednesday #SommChat THANKS! Was a great chat!

@alawine (Ken #wine): @keepercoll thanks, great #SommChat with @RN74 today!

@enjoielife (Judia Black): @keepercoll @RN74 Really enjoyed #SommChat today. Thanks for making it happen! #WW #sommelier

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Mark ur calendar for #SommChat Wed 5/2 at 11 AM CST Guest will be announced soon so keep an eye out! #WineWednesday

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): @RN74 @keepercoll Thanks for a super informative #SommChat Cheers to both of you!

@Vinum_Wine (Vinum_Wine): Thanks, @RN74 @keepercoll and all for an awesome #SommChat this #WW. Hope to meet you the next time you’re @RN74Seattle.

@trouty (Jon Troutman): @RN74 Thanks! Audoin is a name I’ve seen but never tasted. #SommChat

@RN74 (Rajat Parr): thanks everyone.i had a blast. hope to see you all soon!! #SommChat

@LeRivageHotel (Le Rivage Hotel): Thx for chatting! RT @keepercoll: It was great to have Rajat join us today for #SommChat. We hope everyone learned as much as we did!

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): #SommChat @keepercoll just keeps getting better & better! Thanks for participating @RN74

@alawine (Ken #wine): @RN74 thank you very much, was fun & informative #SommChat

@alawine (Ken #wine): @keepercoll mystery guest for #SommChat Wed 5/2?

@Vinum_Wine (Vinum_Wine): Check out the latest #SommChat with Rajat Parr of @RN74 @sandhiwines and #IPOB here: http://sommsunderfire.com/SommChat/. Great insight on this fine #WW!

@scottota (Scott Ota): @keepercoll @RN74 Another great #SommChat … Many thanks! See you next week.

@angrysomm (rob renteria): @RN74 @keepercoll Great #SommChat. Sorry to have missed it live. Gotta set the alarm! #WW

@pazlevinson (paz levinson): @keepercoll thanks to you! Always a pleasure and learning with #SommChat