From Francis Ford Coppola to Brad Pitt to Sting, celebrities coming out with their own wines has become a real “thing.” And many of them are quite good…including the wines from our own local (Lewes, DE) celebrity, Paul Cullen, former bassist for the iconic band Bad Company. Paul is a busy man. He is a professional chef and sommelier who will come to your home, cook you a meal, play guitar and serve his own wine. Paul will do this all while running his music and food venue, “Paul Cullen’s Room” at Cedar Grove in Lewes, Delaware and, along with his wife Bonnie, also hosting trips to beautiful regions around the world. Oh, and let’s not forget his Paul Kares Charity which is dedicated to encouraging and educating children who show interest and passion for the culinary and musical arts. Fortunately, Paul has the help of his invaluable right-hand person, Nina Carle, who helps him juggle the many hats he wears. But my focus is wine so let’s dive into Paul’s rapidly growing wine business under his Paul Cullen Wine label.
Paul’s ancestral roots are in Italy (his family name is Tagliaferro) and Italian wines are his passion. This passion translates into a really nice line up of red, white and rosé wines from Northwest Italy (Piedmont) as well as a Lambrusco, a red sparkling wine from Italy’s Emilia Romagna region. One of my personal favorites is Paul’s Rockin’ Rosso, made in the Langhe region of Piedmont (Northwest Italy) from a blend of the Nebbiolo grape, the same grape from which the iconic wines of Barolo and Barbaresco are made, along with Barbera and Cabernet Sauvignon. Paul’s name for this wine is right on the money as this wine really rocks, delivering an unexpectedly smooth red wine with silky tannins that you would swear sells for twice the $26 price point. If dry white wine is your thing, you really should check out Paul’s Roero Arneis. I had this with an Italian shrimp dish I made and wow, did it deliver. While fine as a sipper on a warm summer day, this wine cries out for seafood… it’s just one of those wines that when so paired, brings out the best of the wine and the dish. Again, a wine that overdelivers for the price point.
Check out the rest of Paul’s wine line up, his venue’s concert schedule, and all the other things that Paul is doing at www.paulcullen.rocks
Ray Kurz, also known as “Cuvée Ray,” holds certifications including Sommelier, Certified Specialist of Wine, and is completing his WSET Diploma. He’s the creator of Vintunes® and previously owned Cuvée Ray Wine Bar and Restaurant. Ray’s passion lies in connecting wine with wine lovers. Find him at cuveeray.com.
