Q&A with NYC's 21 Sommelier

I don't know if any of you have heard, but last week marked the 75th anniversary of prohibition being repealed! And as part of the celebration, NY Magazine has an excellent and informative Q&A with Phil Pratt, the sommelier at New York's ancient 21 Club. The club began in the West Village during prohibition as a speak easy, and their cellar parties are something of legend here in the city. Many big names have rung in their 21st birthdays here, including former first daughter Chelsea Clinton.

You can follow the link for the complete article, but here's the introduction to the Q&A to get you started.

"For years, families have stored stellar vintages in the private wine cellar accessible only by a hidden door — the better to protect their stash from the likes of Eliot Ness. The practice was suspended fifteen years ago to make room for '21''s expanded wine list (it grew to 1,200 bottles from 350), but there are still leftover holdings. We asked Pratt what's in the cellar and how '21' appeals to drinkers in the 21st century."