2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - CARL SUTTON
Winemaker Carl Sutton founded San Francisco’s Sutton Cellars in 1996.
What was the food highlight of your year?
I had to think a lot about this, I don’t think in superlatives because food is such a quotidien experience. My wife and I cook at home and have a bottle of wine nightly so I’m fortunate (in my mind) to have a good food experience daily. And that’s the definition of a good food experience for me - some good food, a bottle of wine, and great company. This can be accomplished on a daily basis, there’s no reason to compromise or expect more… That said there was a food experience in 2012 that got my attention - the night market on Place Djemaa el Fna in Marrakech. Every evening there a hundred plus stalls set up with a broad variety of foods. I can’t remember the stall number for sure, I think it’s #31, but we got a tip that the merguez there was the best - we were not disappointed. We snuck a little red wine with us (local of course, who knew Morocco makes wine?!?) and the experience was fantastic. I could go on about how good the merguez and the khob (bread) and the sauces were but it was also the noise, heat, stink, energy, life, and everything else. Sure the food was simple but the experience was sensory overload. This is the original Off the Grid! Thanks for asking and making me think of it.
What was the music highlight of your year?
I was honestly disheartened with Neil Young’s performance at Outside Lands. He’s still got something to prove and he did it loud and fucking distorted for the first 20 minutes or so. Good for him, he’s not an old fart… For the rest of us out in the freezing fog, IDK. I’m sure people ate it up, I went and got the car and drove home early. On a positive note - music is like wine in our house, we have some every day. Most of the time it’s KALX for the great mix of DJs, new and well known music, and the DIY/indie spirit that embodies my winemaking as well. If I’m not listening to KALX it’s old 60’s garage/psych/R&B/soul or music made by my friends like Mike Therieau. Bart Davenport, Tim Bluhm, or any of the musicians I’ve met through them over the years.
Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?
Dinner at home with my wonderful wife. I don’t care what we’re listening to or what we’re eating so much as I enjoy the company. Best part: it’s easy to duplicate.