The French #Winophiles Sip Grower Champagne – An Invitation To Join

A good friend of mine has told me on innumerable occasions that “Champagne is the only drink that is socially acceptable to drink any time of day”  I heartily agree! This month the French #Winophiles, a group of wine writers that explore French wine, food and travel the third Saturday of every month,  will be exploring…

Easy #ValentinesDay Three Course Champagne Pairing Dinner Featuring Bruno Paillard Brut Premiere #Food and #Wine Pairing

Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love!  And when I think of a celebration, I think of Champagne! Chances are you that you’ve been enjoying Champagne for toasts or as an aperitif, but it’s such a food friendly wine (the most food-friendly in my book) it can take you from a toast, through appetizers, on to the…

Champagne Le Brun de Neuville Authentique Assemblage; Superb Value For #ChampagneDay

Champagne Le Brun de Neuville Authentique Assemblage – “Five years aging on lees, under cork rather than crown cap for $35?  Who says fine Champagne has to be expensive?  One of my favorite under $40 bottles of Champagne this year !” Grapes for this wine were sourced from the Côte de Sézanne region of Champagne. The area is…

Champagne Chronicles Redux; A Week In Champagne, A Lifetime Of Memories #Winophiles

Dreams do come true. When I first got into the “wine thing”, as I call it, I dived head first into the pool of knowledge.  One of my resources was Karen MacNeil’s The Wine Bible, and one of my favorite chapters in that vinous tome is “Champagne“.   Inspired by what I read about  Champagne in the…

Wine of the Day: 2009 RARECAT Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Lieu Dit “Vinum Deus”

It’s refined and harmonious with a delicate mousse, vibrant acidity and a brioche, apple, Asian pear, citrus (lemon and a kiss of tangerine), white peach, white flower and hazelnut character RARECAT is thrilled to work in partnership with one of the oldest, most respected families still producing champagne.  The Michel Gonet family has produced champagne…

Under $30 Vintage Champagne? Oui! #Winophiles

This month the French Winophiles are exploring the Champagne region of France.  I’ll be tasting and pairing an under $30 Vintage Champagne! The French #Winophiles are a group of wine writers and bloggers that love French wine. Each month we focus on an area or aspect of French wine. Topics include regions, routes, food, travel, history,…

Wine of the Day: Bruno Paillard “Première Cuvée” Brut Champagne

Bruno Paillard “Première Cuvée” Brut Champagne – “refined, ebullient, and impeccably balanced…“ This wine is a multi-vintage blend of more than 30 crus, each vinified separately.  It is composed of Pinot Noir (45%), Chardonnay (33%) and Pinot Meunier (22%); part of which (20%) was in barrel for the first fermentation.   It includes between 20-50%…

Wine Country Wanderlust: A Photo Essay

Spring is a great time to visit wine country. There is a rebirth underway in the vineyards. The weather is more agreeable (well at least it is in California, where I’m based;-) It’s less crowded in tasting rooms. And rore hours of daylight mean tasting rooms are open longer. Vineyards are carpeted with brilliant yellow,…

Valentine’s Surf and Turf with a Twist and Champagne Pairing #winePW

Wine Pairing Weekend Celebrates the Valentine’s Day The theme for this month’s Wine Pairing Weekend (#WinePW) is Valentine’s Day. Perhaps it’s because I’m a romantic. Or perhaps because I’m a Leo, I like to “go big” for Valentine’s Day. And for my wife and I that special occasion meal often calls for  “Surf and Turf” On…