#WineWednesday Review: 2014 M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut

From time to time, I receive wines samples from wineries or their public relations agencies for review.  I feature such samples here on #WineWednesday Review. This week it’s the 2014 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Roussillon Villages Les Vignes de Bila-Haut About Domain Bila-Haut Domaine Bila-Haut is the passion project of famed Rhone/Hermitage producer, Michel Chapoutier. As head…

A Taste of Villa Maria Pinot Noir #NZPinot

Earlier this month, myself and other select wine writers participated in a virtual wine tasting on Twitter – the Villa Maria (“VM:”) “First Sip of Fall”  Pinot Noir tasting.   The tasting featured VM hosts Helen Morrison, Senior Marlborough Winemaker and Josh Hammond, Marlborough Winemaker, along with wine expert and social media maven Nanette Eaton of Wine…

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Paired With An Aussie Sticky #winePW

It’s here.  Thanksgiving.  The perennial harbinger of the holiday season that seems to arrive all to quickly. For me that typically means going 100 miles per hour with my hair on fire!  It’s already happening.  I had other plans for  this month’s Wine Pairing Weekend “Creative Thanksgiving Pairing” theme.  Alas, things have been crazy busy for…

Veal Ribs with Fontina with Vallee d’Aosta Torrette Supèrieur #ItalianFWT

One of the things I love most about food and wine is their ability to transport one to a different place.  And a  place’s people, culture, and customs are reflected in its food and wine.  In that sense, one can virtually travel the world through food and wine.  And that is exactly what we are doing…

Book Review: “The History of Wine in 100 Bottles” By Oz Clarke

I love wine.  Truth be told…I’m a wine geek.  I also love history, and cultural anthropology. But these topics can be well…boring.  In his recently released book “The History of Wine in 100 Bottles: From Bacchus to Bordeaux and Beyond” (Sterling Epicure, 224 pages, $24.95) inimitable wine personality Oz Clarke manages to give us his take…

A Taste of Krug Champagne Redux

Last year, I was had the honor of being invited to a private Krug Champagne tasting at my favorite wine store – K&L Wine Merchants.  I recapped that phenomenal tasting in a post entitled “A Taste of Champagne Krug“. Much to my surprise and delight, Gary Westby, K&L’s Champagne Buyer invited me to another Krug…