Both of these wines have been perennial go-to Crémant d’Alsace for me. They’re delicious, harmonious sparkling wines that offer wonderful value for the price. This month the French #Winophiles are celebrating Crémant from France. The term Crémant (which literally means creamy) originated in Champagne. It was used to differentiate fully sparkling classic champagne made using…
Category: Wine
Wine of the Day: Champagne Bruno Paillard Extra Brut Première Cuvée
And, the fact that their wines are in over 500 Michelin-starred restaurants speaks volumes to its quality and gastronomic IQ. The Champagne Bruno Paillard Extra Brut Première Cuvée is a classic “assemblage” a blending: of diverse crus, grape varieties and vintages. It’s composed of a blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, and 22% Pinot…
Tasting A Rare Grape Variety: The 2018 Bodegas Gratias Tardana Sol #WorldWineTravel
This month the intrepid #WorldWineTravel group of bloggers concludes its 2021 virtual tour of Spain with a visit to the Castilla-La Mancha wine region in central Spain. Deanna of Wineivore is hosting this month. You may read her invitation post here. Castilla-La Mancha At-A-Glance Climate: According to a local proverb – “nine months of winter and…
2013 Lone Madrone Nebbiolo + Heirloom Bean Gratin with Tomatoes and Sausage #WinePW
This weekend, the Wine Pairing Weekend writers are writing about and pairing wines from Paso Robles. Lori from Exploring the Wine Glass is hosting. You may read her invitation post here. About Paso Robles Paso Robles (the locals pronounce it “Pass-O Ro-bolls”, but in my head I pronounce it the Spanish way) is located halfway between the…
2017 Riva Leone Barbaresco Paired With Italian Fare and Friends #ItalianFWT
This month, the Italian Food, Wine and Travel crew continues its exploration of the Big B’s of Italy by diving into Barbaresco! Our host this month is Robin of Crushed Grape Chronicles. You’ll find her invitation post here. Barbaresco At A Glance Produced from the Nebbiolo (nebby-oh-low) grape variety Named after a wine growing region…
Book Review: What’s Good A Memoir in Fourteen Ingredients by Peter Hoffman + Food and Wine Pairings
This evocative, educational, insightful and inspiring memoir was a joy to read. “Chef Peter Hoffman is the curious cook’s cook. As the former chef/owner of Savoy and Back Forty restaurants, he trail-blazed farm-to-table cooking in New York City. His opinion pieces have been published in the New York Times, Edible Manhattan, and Food & Wine. Hoffman served on the boards…
2018 Jorge Ordoñez & Co. Moscatel Old Vines Botani + Trout Tartine with Stone Fruit #WorldWineTravel
This month, the World Wine Travel group of writers will be taking a virtual trip to Andalusia in southern Spain. See my invitation post here. My wife and I visited the region in 2013 during a three week visit in Spain that started in Barcelona and ended in Andalucia, visiting Sevilla and Granada. We planned to visit…
Wines of Andalucia Preview #WorldWineTravel
This month, the World Wine Travel (#WorldWineTravel) group of writers continues its virtual tour of Spain with a with a visit to Andalusia in southern Spain. For more information about Andalusia see my invitation post here. Andalusia Wine Spanish viticulture originated in what is now known as Andalusia around 1100 BC when Phoenicians founded a trading post…
2012 Ridge Estate Merlot + Reverse Sear Ribeye Steak #WinePW
It’s October! And that means the Wine Pairing Weekend group of writers, in collaboration with the #MerlotMe producers will be singing the praises of Merlot. According to Jeff Burrows who will be leading the charge again this year…” we’ll continue our quest to raise the visibility of this fine grape in wine drinker’s consciousness“. You can see…
Absence Makes The Palate Grow Fonder – Getting Reacquainted with Cava
I have a confession to make. It’s been years since I’ve had Cava. That’s not to say that it’s been years since I’ve had Spanish sparkling wines. I have, but they haven’t been from the Cava D.O. They’ve been from Cava’s Spanish market share competitors, Conca del Riu Anoia , Clàssic Penedès, and most recently Corpinnat….