As a certified sommelier (wine steward) with a master’s degree in wine tourism and sustainability, Jessi Blanarik knows what she is talking about when it comes to vino, that is for sure.
What drew me into her weekly column in The Centre County Gazette called “Sips With A Sommelier” was the way she makes her extensive wine knowledge fun and accessible for every reader, be they a wine connoisseur or someone who is new to wine, like me. (The Centre County Gazette is a sister publication to Town&Gown).
“I think wine is for everyone. It is an art form in itself to make. It is expressive of its history and a tradition that has been passed down,” Jessi says. “But ultimately it is an experience that you get to have and that shouldn’t be one that is confusing or overwhelming. While it is something that takes some learning, it is still something that anyone can try and enjoy.”
In her columns, Jessi often shares ways to connect readers with fun new wine experiences (such as Halloween-candy wine pairings), and bridges wine with other common flavors (such as selecting a wine based on a coffee order), providing readers with an accessible way to find something they might enjoy.
Just like she does on the page, Jessi led me through a new wine experience when we sat down together for a glass at The Lobby Bar of The Allen Street Grill. She chose the location because of their excellent wine menu, which is certainly impressive. It was a little overwhelming for someone who typically sticks to beer but is interested in learning more about wine.
I knew I was in good hands as Jessi carefully looked over the menu. I could also tell we were in the right place when Allen Street Grill Beverage Director Chris Peters stopped by to say hello.
Chris was busy preparing for a beverage class called Bubbles For Your Belly that he was hosting that night, which featured sparkling wines from around the world. It is part of a program that brings people together to taste and try new experiences. You can learn more about it on the Allen Street Grill website.
“There are very few places, even in Philly, Pittsburgh, or Lancaster, or any market in Pennsylvania, that have the program that we have,” Chris says, speaking both about the classes they offer and the wide variety of selections on their menu. He is always happy to help people on their wine journey. “It is all about showcasing and educating people about how cool wine can be.”
His popular class was full that night, but Chris was very gracious, sharing with us a sample tasting of some of the sparkling wine he was featuring. How fun! I may have to come back to learn more in the future.
Back at our table, Jessi felt a natural orange wine would be something that a beer lover like me would appreciate for the earthy flavor and the bitterness that could be similar to IPAs.
“When I am talking to someone who doesn’t know a ton about wine, one of the first things you need to be able to do is hone in on what you do or don’t like. So you can say, ‘This my favorite drink, I like whiskey on ice’ or whatever it might be, and explain why you like it. Then you can find a wine you might enjoy,” Jessi says.
Indeed, her inclination was correct. I enjoyed the funky flavors of the natural wine, and would definitely consider ordering an orange wine again in the future.
It was this kind of connection that Jessi has been hoping to make in her column, now that she is back in her hometown after years of traveling abroad. The State College Area High School grad spent her time after college living in a different country every year, which she details in her blog, Jessi’s Journey (jessisjourney.com). Then the COVID-19 lockdown kept her stuck in one place.
“That is when I got really into wine and did my sommelier certification, because it allowed me to travel without actually traveling,” says Jessi. “What makes wine so interesting to me is it is so expressive to a certain place, and not just a country, but the regions within the countries. There is so much—apart from the climate and the grapes that are grown there—there is so much history to those countries, centuries of history that go into those regions. Wine was a way to deep dive into those cultures, even when I could not travel.”
She was so smitten with wine that she continued on with her master’s degree in wine tourism, eventually writing and marketing for the wine industry. But like so many others, eventually she felt the urge to return home to Happy Valley.
Upon returning to the area, she was amazed at the way the food and beverage industry has grown, from wine tourism at local vineyards to exciting new dining options that are offering unique experiences.
“As a community, there has been a lot of growth in the food and wine scene and an appreciation towards providing experiences that go beyond eating and drinking. There are so many amazing new restaurants and bars that are opening, and those provide new opportunities for people to try new things,” Jessi says. The offerings at Allen Street Grill are a perfect example of that.
In her new role as managing editor of The Centre County Gazette, the area’s only weekly newspaper, Jessi found an opportunity to increase her connection to the community and use her column to build upon all the growth that is occurring in the food and beverage scene.
“There is so much craft that goes into making a bottle of wine, and we don’t necessarily think of that when we are going out for drinks with a friend, or grabbing a bottle for dinner,” Jessi says. “But if I can get people to see the art form that they are drinking, the community that they can build when they share it with others, and that it does not have to be a scary thing to learn about, then that will make it feel like my column will be a success, and then it has reached the right people.”
Cheers to that. You can count me in. T&G
Vincent Corso enjoys drinking local and meeting new people at central Pennsylvania’s many interesting establishments.
