{"id":51,"date":"2018-08-17T06:00:20","date_gmt":"2018-08-17T01:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/?page_id=51"},"modified":"2018-09-28T09:50:35","modified_gmt":"2018-09-28T13:50:35","slug":"some-background","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/some-background\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Hi, my name is <em>Ron DiLauro<\/em>,\u00a0 I was born on December 24, 1950 in Jamaica Hospital, Queens, New York.\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2094 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/FirstBday.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"82\" height=\"85\" \/> I grew up in an all Italian family living in Floral Park, Long Island.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>My interest in wines started at an early age.\u00a0 Wine was part of the daily routine in my family.\u00a0 \u00a0Wine was served at every meal, and I remember even as a child of 10, I was allowed to have a <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2096 size-thumbnail alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/kids-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/kids-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/kids-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/kids.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>small sip of wine with the meal .\u00a0 I remember tasting wine that my grandfather made in the basement,\u00a0 plus I always remember seeing those gallon jugs of\u00a0<em>Cucamonga. i<\/em>n the cabinets or on the table.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>When I was 18, getting ready for college,<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2098 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/B010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"74\" height=\"85\" \/> the wines of choice were quite simple:\u00a0\u00a0<em>Boones Farm Apple WIne,\u00a0 Ripple,\u00a0 Mateus, Lancer&#8217;s Rose and Lambrusco<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After I graduated from college,\u00a0 I started working at one the largest wine retail stores on Long Island.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2080 size-thumbnail alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/steward-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/steward-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/steward-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\u00a0 <em>Steward Liquors<\/em> in Stewart Manor, LI.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0The store\u00a0 had a large\u00a0 selection of French, German and Italian wines.\u00a0 These were all kept in a temperature controlled room that was separate from the rest of the store.\u00a0 During the early 1970&#8217;s, most liquor stores carried a 80% to 20% ratio in liquor to wine.\u00a0 That was the era of the cocktails, the cordials and perhaps some jug wines from California or New York.\u00a0 This store had a 50-50% in terms of liquor and wine.\u00a0 This was quite unique during that time.<\/p>\n<p>I was very fortunate to learn all about wines from a former sommelier.\u00a0 \u00a0 He spent time teaching me all the different things I needed to know about wine.\u00a0 The different\u00a0 wines, grapes, styles, winemaker, aging, bottling and much more.\u00a0 And of course he taught me how to taste and judge wines and to identify and understand the various traits of each wine. .\u00a0 After we closed the store, we would generally open a bottle or two of wine and spend time analyzing everything about it.\u00a0 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2092 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/wtnote-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/wtnote-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/wtnote-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>He insisted I took notes about everything we discussed and tasted.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After several years, my wine knowledge increased.\u00a0 I read book<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2083 size-thumbnail alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/read-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/read-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/read-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/read.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/> after book on wines, the types, the grapes, how it was made, etc.\u00a0 \u00a0I made a point in tasting\u00a0 at least 8 wines a week, always 2 at a time.\u00a0 Each week, I would change the type.\u00a0 Bordeaux one week, then on to Burgundies and thru much of the French wine regions.\u00a0 I also made a point and tasting wines from Germany , Italy and Spain.\u00a0 \u00a0At that time, there really wasnt much to taste regarding wines from United States.\u00a0 I still have all my tasting notes from tasting all those wines.<\/p>\n<p>The sommelier passed away and the I became the wine person at the store.\u00a0At that point, I had a excellent working and technical knowledge of all wines.\u00a0 The one problem I ran into, was that it was difficult for some older customers to take me serious or accept my discussions.\u00a0 \u00a0 Looking back, I guess it was pretty difficult for people to look at a young 22 boy with long hair as being a wine expert.\u00a0 Over time, that all changed and my reputation grew.<\/p>\n<p>In 1972, I was selected as the President of the Les Ami Du Vin<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2086 size-medium alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/les-ami-300x69.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"69\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/les-ami-300x69.gif 300w, https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/les-ami-768x177.gif 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/> Chapter in Long Island.\u00a0 Part of my responsibilities were to organize various wine tastings at different locations.\u00a0 My highlight was organizing a 5 day trip to France, visiting Paris, the Champagne country and a few Bordeaux Chateaus.\u00a0 \u00a0 One of our missions , which our French counterparts were aware of, was that we were there looking to purchase some wine futures.\u00a0 \u00a0Keeping that in mind, we were treated royally, banquets, wine flowing, all types of food and cheese.\u00a0 It was a time I still remember vividly.<\/p>\n<p>I left that environment in 1974 to join IBM<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-2085 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/ibm-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/ibm-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/ibm-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/ibm.png 196w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/> and to start a family.\u00a0 \u00a0 While I was working for IBM, I still kept very close to wines.\u00a0 I continued to read and research about wines.\u00a0 \u00a0I ran many private home wine tastings and still was always looking for those right wines to purchase.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>When I retired from IBM, I sort of went back to my roots and worked as a wine manager at a local wine retail shop.\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2089 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/bcw1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/bcw1.png 150w, https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/bcw1-100x100.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/> \u00a0I worked there for about 5 years.\u00a0 \u00a0I spent most of my time there educating customers about wine, running wine tastings and helping customers select the perfect wine for them.\u00a0 \u00a0Unfortunately, because of several surgeries, I was advised to stay off my feet.\u00a0 \u00a0I am a wine manager needs to be on the floor, so being a cashier was not for me.<\/p>\n<p>I had been volunteering for Spine-Health company since 2006.\u00a0 I originally joined since I was a chronic pain patient and had already had 12 spinal surgeries and was doing research.\u00a0 In 2008, I became one of their moderators and in 2015, I signed on as a 1099 contractor for <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2090 size-thumbnail alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/verritas-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/verritas-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/verritas-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/verritas.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>Veritas-Health LLC<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Wine has been such a big part of my lifes history .\u00a0 I still remember tasting that first sip of wine when I was 10 years old.\u00a0 \u00a0 One of the folks I chat with on Instagram were talking about how nice it would be just to write about anything wine related or not.\u00a0 \u00a0That got me thinking.\u00a0 I had put together a blog talking about my life as a chronic pain patient.\u00a0 \u00a0That had a lot of detail, but quite frankly, since I live it, the blog was pretty depressing.<\/p>\n<p>So here it is, <em>Carpe Vino,<\/em> <strong>Seize the Wine<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Hope you find some of what I&#8217;ve put in here interesting, perhaps not, but its just me writing about what comes natural.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-723 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/RonSun-195x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/RonSun-195x300.jpg 195w, https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/RonSun.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 195px) 100vw, 195px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hi, my name is Ron DiLauro,\u00a0 I was born on December 24, 1950 in Jamaica Hospital, Queens, New York.\u00a0 I grew up in an all Italian family living in Floral Park, Long Island. &nbsp; My interest in wines started at an early age.\u00a0 Wine was part of the daily routine in my family.\u00a0 \u00a0Wine was &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/some-background\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;About&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-51","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/51","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/51\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rdilauro.com\/CarpeVino\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}