Staff Favorites - Chiara Shannon

Chiara Shannon
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Chiara moved north from her hometown of La Canada Flintridge in the foothills of Los Angeles to attend college at UC Berkeley. Not knowing what to do with her Bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish literature, Chiara pursued several careers, from education to marketing to fashion, before she realized her destiny lay in the wine business. She started out as a marketing assistant at Schramsberg Vineyards. After a year in wine country, she relocated to Los Angeles to try out the retail side of wine at a specialized wine shop near her family’s home, Mission Wines. Working under the tutelage of a seasoned veteran sommelier-turned-retailer, Chiara was inducted into the world of fine wine. She has since returned to the Bay Area joined the team at K&L, received her WSET Advanced certification, now manages the K&L Personal Sommelier Service. In her free time, Chiara is passionate about dance and travel, loves her husband and their life of food, wine, and music in San Francisco, practices yoga and reads in her leisure time, and is eternally grateful to her friends and family.


Reviews

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2007 Pyramid Valley Vineyards "Kerner Estate" Pinot Blanc Marlborough (Biodynamic)
Review Date: 8-14-2009
A seductive nose of tropical banana and cream, with notes of caramel and spice, lead to a richly textured palate echoing the nose and a very long, creamy finish that makes this Pinot Blanc really stand out. Additionally, it is 100% biodynamic and made using indigenous yeasts. I suspect time on the lees is what accounts for the distinctive flavors and texture. A sophisticated alternative to Chardonnay.
Price: $21.99 Add To Cart

Ginga Shizuku "Divine Droplets" Junmai Daiginjo Sake 720ml
Review Date: 7-28-2009
A very elegant sake, driven by delicate aromas of almond, sweet cream and lychee fruit. The palate is tangy, and shows more of a white pear flavor. Overall, this is a dry sake with mineral structure and acidity, that hints at saltwater taffy on the long, dry finish, and would be ideal with sashimi.
Price: $64.99 Add To Cart ST 94

Kanbara "Bride of the Fox" Junmai Ginjo Sake 720ml
Review Date: 7-28-2009
For an accessible sake that has a forward nose of bananas and tropical fruits, with creamy, nutty undertones, the Kanbara "Bride of the Fox" certainly promises to please a crowd. Don't let the fruit-driven aromas fool you, however - this sake is structured and very well balanced. The smooth finish hints at sweetness, which is ideal for pairing with a variety of sushi rolls, especially the more complex ones featuring spicey and umami flavors.
Price: $32.99 Add To Cart

Tozai "Snow Maiden" Tokubetso Junmai Nigori Sake 720ml (Unfiltered)
Review Date: 7-28-2009
This unfiltered sake is a beautiful, porcelain color and smells of sweet oatmeal and almonds. Passion fruit and lychee are the dominant flavors. Though this sake appears creamy, it is actually more fruit-driven on the palate and finishes drier than expected. A thicker texture make this enjoyable sipping on its own or with nigiri sushi.
Price: $15.99 Add To Cart

Urbanite Cellars "Redart" Red Blend
Review Date: 7-15-2009
One of the the things I love about Luis Moya is that he gives all the wines in his portfolio 100 points - after all, unless you believe 100% in a wine, how do you justify selling it to others? And I am so happy he has taken his passion and applied it to a locally grown and produced red table wine under the Unrbanite Cellars label that has 100 points in my book. A well-made everyday drinker with loads of personality for under $10 is hard to find. Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure and a core of black fruit, the Syrah adds smokiness and a touch of gamey mystique, and the Zin lends spice, brightness, and punch. This is an ideal party wine, and would work very well as a wedding or large dinner reception red option because it is very food friendly and sure to please a crowd.
Price: $9.99 Add To Cart

1993 Château Pajzos Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos (500ml)
Review Date: 6-22-2009
I love Tokaji Aszu. It is one of my favorite dessert wines and, in general, offers great value for the price by comparison to other top dessert-style wines like Sauternes. This bottling from Chateau Pajzos is full-bodied and concentrated, and though very high in residual sugar, is perceptibly less sweet due to remarkably high acidity - it finishes fresh. Glazed peach and honey overflow from the nose, conterbalanced by lovely earthy nuances. Serve chilled and sip slowly.
Price: $51.99 Add To Cart WS 90

Sorelle Bronca Prosecco
Review Date: 5-19-2009
I am impressed by this prosecco's delicate, fresh mousse, lively minerality, and mouth-watering green apple flavors. Can you smell sunshine? It's in there too. Perfect bubbles for summer. Or in the middle of winter, when you want to be transported to summer. Makes a wonderful, lighter alternative to Champagne, too.
Drink from 2007 to 2011
Price: $16.99 Add To Cart

J. Laurens Brut Cremant de Limoux
Review Date: 4-10-2009
Cremant de Limoux, the AOC for budget-friendly Champagne-esque sparkling wines, is in itself cause for a toast. The NV Cremant de Limoux, J. Laurens Brut is one of our most popular party bubblies. It looks like Champagne with sparkly light gold and a lovely bead. Creamy mousse and delightful yeasty/toasty flavors on the palate. Bone dry, and at only 12% abv,this is a no-brainer for a big event, but can make Monday night special too!
Drink from 2009 to 2011
Price: $13.99 Add To Cart

Schramsberg "Mirabelle" North Coast Rosé
Review Date: 2-15-2009
Schramsberg has a special place in my heart as it was the place where I started my career in the wine business. If you haven't visited Schramsberg, I strongly recommend you do - tucked up in the hills just south of Calistoga, it is a historical landmark with some of the oldest caves in the Napa Valley, and it is one of the only places where you can see the traditional (and highly labor-intensive) methode champenoise process of making sparkling wine without going all the way to Champagne. Mirabelle is Schramsberg's non-vintage label. Composed of 64% Chardonnay and 34% Pinot Noir, this June '08 release of the rosé might be the best yet: clean and crisp, it exhibits a nose of fresh strawberries and very very subtle vanilla notes. The palate is vibrant, amplified by a fine mousse and delicate flavors of red berries and sweet-cream that I want to describe as...flirty? Try one and see for yourself.
Drink from 2009 to 2011
Price: $19.99 Add To Cart RP 90

Caveau du Mont July Bugey Cerdon Rosé
Review Date: 12-9-2008
I really love this wine! I can't drink beer (it is very sad, I know - allergies) but this Bugey Cerdon makes up for it by being a wonderful, low alcohol, just off-dry, refreshing, food-friendly, frothy sparkler. Yes, it has it all. Lower in alocohol, it is perfect for brunch or luncheons, as well as complicated mid-day meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas, where it simply works with everything. You will be the hit of the potluck if you bring this baby, but (as I learned the hard way) bring more than one...it disappears very fast.
Drink from 2008 to 2010
Price: $15.99 Add To Cart

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1999 York Creek Spring Mountain District Meritage ($24.99)

2011 Domaine Paul Pernot Bourgogne Chardonnay ($19.99)

2011 Clos Pepe "Barrel Fermented" Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay ($24.99)

2007 Palmina Santa Barbara County Nebbiolo ($27.99)

2011 Vaughn-Duffy Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($34.99)

2009 Paloumey, Haut-Médoc ($19.99)

2012 Te Whare Ra (TWR) Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand ($18.99)

2004 Bodegas Fernandez "Escudo de Plata" Gran Reserva Jumilla ($16.99)

2011 Tenuta La Pergola Monferrato Rosso ($10.99)

2012 Cibonne Tentations Côtes de Provence Rosé ($18.99)

2012 Giuliano Pecorino Terre di Chieti ($14.99)

2010 Fromm Winery "La Strada" Pinot Noir Marlborough New Zealand ($21.99)

2011 AmByth Estate Paso Robles Red Table Wine ($25.99)

2009 Saarloos & Sons "His" Santa Ynez Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($39.99)

2010 Domaine Saint Siffrein Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($34.99)

2006 Trabucchi Amarone della Valpolicella ($74.99)

2008 Cantine Ascheri Barolo ($29.99)

2006 Massolino Barolo ($29.99)

2010 Claiborne & Churchill "Runestone Barrel Select" Edna Valley Pinot Noir ($39.99)

2010 Mamete Prevostini "Botonero" ($16.99)

2011 Tenuta Sarno 1860 Fiano di Avellino ($24.99)

2011 Ruggeri Corsini Dolcetto d'Alba ($13.99)

2010 Domaine Henri Prudhon Puligny Montrachet "Les Enseignieres" ($51.99)

2008 Clendenen Family Vineyards "Le Bon Climat" Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay ($39.99)

2011 Blason Malvasia Friuli-Venezia-Giulia ($11.99)

2012 Tendu California White Wine 1L ($18.99)

2010 Catena Zapata "Catena Alta" Chardonnay Mendoza ($25.99)

2009 Te Mata "Coleraine" Bordeaux Blend Hawkes Bay ($49.99)

2009 de Birot, Côtes de Bordeaux ($14.99)

2012 Hermanos Torrontés Cafayate Valley Salta ($13.99)

2010 Bodegas Teso La Monja "Almirez" Toro Spain ($24.99)

2010 Calcu Cabernet Franc Colchagua Valley ($11.99)

2010 Baer Winery "Star" Columbia Valley Red Blend ($32.99)

2005 La Rioja Alta "Viña Arana" Reserva Rioja ($26.99)

2005 Clendenen Family Vineyards "Rancho La Cuna" Santa Maria Valley Syrah/Viognier ($29.99)

2011 Melville "Estate-Verna's" Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir ($21.99)

2005 Lopez de Heredia "Viña Cubillo" Crianza Rioja ($25.99)

2010 Saarloos & Sons "Hers" Santa Ynez Valley Grenache Blanc ($26.99)

2010 Ancient Peaks Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon ($13.99)

2010 Coudoulet de Beaucastel Côtes du Rhône ($29.99)

2010 Delas Freres "Les Launes" Crozes-Hermitage ($17.99)

2010 Bernabeleva Navaherreros Blanco Vinos de Madrid ($17.99)

2010 Domaine J.A. Ferret Pouilly-Fuissé ($29.99)

2009 Dunn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($79.99)

2010 Valle Las Nencias Malbec Reserve Mendoza ($14.99)

2010 La Garde Blanc, Pessac-Léognan ($29.99)

2009 Chasse-Spleen, Moulis ($41.99)

2010 Amelia Park "Mishmash" Red Margaret River Western Australia ($14.99)

2010 Domaine Faiveley Mercurey "Clos Rond" ($27.99)

2010 Maison Jacques Bavard Monthelie Blanc ($26.99)

2010 Round Pond "Estate" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon ($45.99)

2010 Mauritson "Rockpile Ridge Vineyard" Rockpile Cabernet Sauvignon ($44.99)

2010 Zaca Mesa Santa Ynez Valley Viognier ($15.99)

2010 Green & Red "Chiles Canyon Vineyard" Napa Valley Zinfandel ($19.99)

2010 Seven Hills "Ciel du Cheval" Red Mountain Washington ($41.99)

2009 Tamarack Cellars Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.99)

2010 Vaughn-Duffy "Two Vineyards" Sonoma Coast Syrah ($19.99)

2010 Fritz Russian River Valley Chardonnay ($18.99)

2010 Cameron Hughes "Lot #318" Atlas Peak Meritage ($16.99)

2010 Quivira Dry Creek Zinfandel ($19.99)

2009 Qupé "Bien Nacido Hillside Estate" Santa Maria Valley Roussanne ($36.99)

2011 Talley Estate Arroyo Grande Chardonnay ($23.99)

2012 Palmina Santa Barbara County Pinot Grigio ($15.99)

2010 Brewer-Clifton Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir ($34.99)

2010 Domaine Champy Chorey-lès-Beaune ($23.99)

2009 Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Franschhoek South Africa ($39.99)

2011 GRÜNER by Etz Kamptal Grüner Veltliner (1L) ($13.99)

2010 Reynoso Alexander Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($12.99)

2010 Marziano Abbona "Papà Celso" Dolcetto di Dogliani ($24.99)

2006 Guasti Clemente Barbera d'Asti Superiore ($23.99)

2011 Marco Porello "Camestri" Arneis Roero ($16.99)

2009 Montlandrie, Côtes de Castillon ($29.99)

2010 Syncline "Subduction Red" Columbia Valley Rhone Blend ($19.99)

2009 Clos du Val Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.99)

2011 Fausse Piste "The Mineral Selection" Columbia Valley Viognier ($18.99)

2009 Harrington Paso Robles Nebbiolo ($26.99)

2010 Kathryn Kennedy "Small Lot" Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon ($34.99)

2007 Brizio Brunello di Montalcino ($49.99)

2010 Riecine Chianti Classico ($23.99)

2010 Catena Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza ($16.99)

2010 Zind Humbrecht Pinot Blanc ($21.99)

2011 La Fuye Haut Poitou Sauvignon ($9.99)

2011 Abeja Winery Chardonnay ($37.99)

2011 Domaine de la Noblaie Chinon Blanc ($19.99)

2009 Waterkloof "Circumstance" Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch South Africa ($24.99)

2010 El Libre Malbec Mendoza ($9.99)

2011 Amelia Park Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon Margaret River Western Australia ($19.99)

2011 Anarkos Primitivo Puglia ($10.99)

2009 Pacherhof Sylvaner Valle Isarco ($11.99)

2010 Produttori del Barbaresco Nebbiolo delle Langhe ($18.99)

2010 Alta Maria Vineyards Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir ($23.99)

1999 Bodegas Puelles Gran Reserva Rioja ($19.99)

2011 Bernabeleva "Camino de Navaherreros" Garnacha Vinos de Madrid ($12.99)

2010 Campo Viejo Tempranillo Rioja ($10.99)

2005 La Pointe, Pomerol ($44.99)

2009 l'Aura de Cambon, Margaux ($39.99)

2011 Chante Cigale Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc ($34.99)

2009 Belisario "Cambrugiano" Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva ($21.99)

2011 Domaine de la Pépière Classique Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie ($12.99)

2010 Olivier Leflaive St-Aubin 1er Cru "Charmois" ($35.99)

2009 Yamhill Valley Vineyards Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($15.99)

2011 Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Chablis 1er Cru "Montmain" Pre-Arrival ($27.99)

2011 Bodegas Casa Juan Señor de Lesmos "Cuarteto" Rioja ($9.99)

2010 Bodegas Nekeas "El Chaparral de Vega Sindoa" Old Vines Garnacha Navarra ($12.99)

2010 Michael Pozzan "Annabella-Special Selection" Napa Valley Chardonnay ($11.99)

2007 Kelleher Family "Brix Vineyard" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon ($74.99)

2009 Priest Ranch "Somerston Vineyards" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($36.99)

2010 Terra Laura Cour-Cheverny ($22.99)

2011 Bedrock Wine Company North Coast Syrah ($24.99)

2010 Domaine Odoul-Coquard Chambolle Musigny ($49.95)

2009 Domaine Odoul-Coquard Nuits-St-Georges "Aux St. Jacques" ($43.99)

2009 Clos du Marquis, St-Julien ($64.99)

2011 Domaine Gueneau "Le Clos Chartier" Sancerre ($19.99)

2011 Angeline Pinot Noir ($11.99)

2011 Donkey & Goat "Helluva Vineyard" Anderson Valley Pinot Noir ($27.99)

2009 Dutch Bill Creek Russian River Valley Chardonnay ($19.99)

2010 Terra Laura Cheverny Rouge ($17.99)

2010 Louis Sipp "Nature'S" Pinot Blanc ($14.99)

2009 Mark Herold Wines "Flux" Red Wine ($27.99)

2010 Domaine la Colliere Rasteau ($18.99)

2010 Château de la Charrière Savigny-les-Beaune Blanc "Vermots Dessus" Domaine Yves Girardin ($23.99)

2010 Textbook "Fin de Journée" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.99)

2009 Qupé "Bien Nacido Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Syrah ($24.99)

2011 Cullen "Ephraim Clarke" Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon Margaret River W. Australia ($27.99)

2011 Primitivo Quiles "Cono 4" Monastrell Alicante ($11.99)

2011 Grand Voile Saumur Blanc ($9.99)

2007 Viña Eguía Reserva Rioja ($14.99)

2011 La Galope Côtes de Gascogne Blanc ($9.99)

2010 Ferrer Ribière Carignan "Empreinte du Temps" VdP des Côtes Catalanes ($19.99)

2009 Saint-Pierre, St-Julien ($139.99)

2000 Terrey Gros Cailloux, St-Julien ($32.99)

2004 Lanessan, Haut-Médoc ($19.99)

2010 Coquena Malbec Salta ($17.99)

2010 Bodegas Angel Rodriguez Martinsancho Verdejo Rueda ($16.99)

2010 Iron Horse Green Valley Estate Chardonnay ($19.99)

Sherman & Hooker's Shebang (Bedrock Wine Co.) "Cuvée V" Sonoma Valley Red Blend ($11.99)

2010 Domaine l'Attilon Marselan Vin de Pays des Bouches du Rhône ($9.99)

2009 Giant Wine Co. "The Ghost of 413" Columbia Valley Red Wine ($15.99)

2007 Ferrero Cabernet Sauvignon Maremma ($17.99)

2011 Bench Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($19.99)

2009 Le Bonnat, Graves ($16.99)

2010 Maysara "3 Degrees" McMinnville Pinot Noir ($17.99)

2009 Domaine Moillard Beaune 1er Cru "Epenottes" ($29.95)

2011 Kalinda Rheingau Riesling Qba ($10.99)

2011 Hubert Veneau Pouilly Fumé ($14.99)

2011 Domaine Faverot Côtes du Luberon Blanc ($13.99)

2010 Domaine Sainte Rose Mourvèdre-Petit Verdot "Les Derniers Cépages" IGP Côtes de Thongue ($12.99)

2010 Sanglier Sonoma County Chardonnay ($26.99)

2011 Pascal Janvier Coteaux du Loir Blanc ($15.99)

2009 E. Guigal Gigondas ($25.99)

2010 Foxen "Tinaquaic Vineyard" Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay ($34.99)

2010 Alexander Valley Vineyards "Wetzel Family Estate" Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.99)

2008 Maison Jacques Bavard Rully Blanc ($17.99)

2010 Giuliano Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ($9.99)

2007 San Polino Brunello di Montalcino ($54.99)

2011 Giuliano Trebbiano d'Abruzzo ($9.99)

2011 Gianni Gagliardo "Fallegro" Roero ($14.99)

2010 Meli Carignane Maule Valley ($12.99)

2011 Adega Cooperativo Regional de Monçao "Muralhas de Monçao" Vinho Verde ($11.99)

2011 Domaine Cherrier Père & Fils Sancerre ($16.99)

2009 Evesham Wood "Cuvee J" Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir ($44.99)

2011 Te Whare Ra (TWR) Pinot Noir Marlborough New Zealand ($24.99)

2010 Charles Baur Pinot Blanc ($12.99)

2009 Riotajo Tempranillo Garnacha Vinos de Madrid ($9.99)

2011 Dos Minas Torrontes Cafayate Valley ($11.99)

2009 Domaine de la Noblaie "Pierre de Tuffe" Chinon ($24.99)

2010 Domaine de la Noblaie Chinon ($14.99)

2008 Bucklin "Old Hill Ranch" Sonoma Valley Zinfandel ($28.99)

2009 Limerick Lane Estate Russian River Valley Syrah ($24.99)

2009 Anne Amie Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($29.99)

2010 Knez Winery "Demuth Vineyard" Anderson Valley Chardonnay ($34.99)

2011 Von Strasser Winery "Rudy" Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($15.99)

1997 Potensac, Médoc ($26.99)

2009 Mercedes Eguren Cabernet Sauvignon Vino de la Tierra de Castilla ($9.99)

Elisabeth Goutorbe "Cuvée Eclatante" Brut Champagne ($34.99)

2006 Marguet Pere et Fils Grand Cru Brut Champagne ($49.99)

2010 Porter Creek "Old Vine" Russian River Valley Chardonnay ($21.99)

2009 Te Mata "Awatea" Bordeaux Blend Hawkes Bay New Zealand ($28.99)

2009 Roger Sabon "Prestige" Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($59.99)

2007 Attilio Ghisolfi Barolo Bussia ($42.99)

2009 Alfredo Maestro Castrillo del Duero ($29.99)

2009 Domaine Albert Belle "Louis Belle" Crozes-Hermitage ($29.99)

2010 Les Clos Perdus "Prioundo" Corbières ($14.99)

2010 Bodegas y Viñedos Ponce "Clos Lojen" Manchuela ($15.99)

2002 Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon ($97.99)

2000 Labégorce, Margaux ($39.99)

2010 Pacherhof Grüner Veltliner Valle Isarco ($12.99)

2007 Ottimino "Rancho Bello" Russian River Zinfandel ($19.99)

2009 Sarget de Gruaud Larose, St-Julien ($29.99)

2009 Tour Seran, Médoc ($29.99)

2009 Mission Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Hawkes Bay ($19.99)

2009 Vine Cliff Los Carneros Chardonnay ($29.99)

2009 La Petite Ferme Cabernet Sauvignon Franschhoek ($19.99)

Saint Cosme "Little James' Basket Press" Vin de Table ($10.99)

2001 La Rioja Alta "Viña Ardanza" Reserva Especial Rioja ($29.99)

2007 Cabot "Kimberly's" Humboldt County Syrah ($24.99)

2008 Forman Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($79.99)

2008 Spring Valley Vineyards "Uriah" Walla Walla Valley Red ($44.99)

2010 Urbanite Cellars "Caliberico" Lodi White Blend ($14.99)

2005 Chantegrive, Graves ($19.99)

Billecart-Salmon "Brut Reserve" Champagne ($44.99)

2009 Los Nevados Chardonnay Mendoza ($9.99)

2005 d'Angludet, Margaux ($64.99)

2008 Valle Perdido Pinot Noir Neuquen ($11.99)

2003 Señorío de P.Peciña Crianza Rioja ($19.99)

Bruno Michel "Les Roses" Brut Rosé Champagne ($49.99)

2006 Langoa-Barton, St-Julien ($54.99)