COMPASSION 

My other passions outside of gastronomy include history, philosophy, religion, and spirituality. I’ve had the good fortune to travel the world studying with many masters and scholars. I’ve been to countless temples, churches, monasteries, and ashrams, around the world. At their highest levels, they all have a common core value and code. Compassion. Below are […]

A Moment of Gratitude, Even on a Difficult Day

Some of the most striking moments in Arturo Negro’s story happen far from a wine glass. Whether in a vineyard in France, a temple in the Himalayas, or savoring street food in Oaxaca, life is a glorious wave you are fortunate to ride, even when you’re facing dark times in atrocious conditions. In one scene, […]

What Prison Food Can Teach You About Wine

The culinary arts of correctional cuisine might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about wine. It sucks. All of it, every mortifying morsel, except Arturo’s (aka Old Ass Aquaman) Prison Pad Thai. But it did give birth to Wine Pairing for Prison Food: Reflections and Ruminations. This book is […]

Wine Pairing Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

Wine pairing can sound like a test you didn’t study for. But it doesn’t need to be that way. It’s not calculus, nor is it an enigma. It sure as hell isn’t a contest, unless of course you’re competing  in a sommelier competition. It can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Remember the best […]