Wine Pairing Recommendations for Hometown Foods #SundaySupper

This week’s #SundaySupper theme is all about hometown and  the wonderful memories one’s favorite hometown foods may evoke. What I call “hometown” has always been a challenge for me.  I was born in Chicago, but moved to California with my parents as a teenager. I’ve spent (way) more than half my life in California.  But…

A Taste of Emilia-Romagna #ItalianFWT

Sometimes the universe smiles on you.  My 2015 wine resolution is to perfect my palate for Italian wines.  And by “perfect my palate”, I don’t mean developing greater tasting acuity.  For me, it means “living” with a particular wine, learning everything one can about it, and buying as much of that wine as your pocketbook will allow….

Wine of the Week; 2012 Sandlands Chenin Blanc

Every Thursday I feature a wine I particularly enjoy, whether it’s something new and different, is a great value, or from a producer worth checking out.  This week’s wine the 2012 Sandlands Chenin Blanc is all of the above. From The Winery Sandlands is the personal project of Tegan and Olivia Passalacqua. The line-up encompasses the forgotten…

Skillet Kale Pesto and Seitan Pizza with Querceto Chianti Classico for #winePW

Wine Pairing Weekend is a monthly collaborative event for wine/food bloggers started by David Crowley of Cooking Chat.  It’s a great way to find food and wine pairings that work; along with tips on how to create your own food and wine pairing magic. The theme for this month’s Wine Pairing Weekend is “New Wine Resolutions for the New…

Wine of the Week; 2012 Castello di Amorosa Pinot Bianco

Every Thursday I feature a wine I particularly enjoy, whether it’s something new and different, is a great value, or from a producer worth checking out.  My Wine Of The Week is the 2012 Castello di Amorosa Pinot Bianco The Winery Castello di Amorosa is Napa Valley’s own slice of Tuscany.  It’s a winery with its own authentic Tuscan castle (Approximately 121,000 sq….

My 2015 #Wine Resolutions

Like so many folks do this time of year, I take time to reflect on the year that was, as well as make a few resolutions.  Given my love of wine, it should come as no surprise that I make wine resolutions. I opted to not put together a “Top 10” list of wines, but…

A Taste of @DateNightWine with Phifer Pavitt

I recently received a couple of wine samples from Napa Valley based Phifer Pavitt Winery.  It’s a winery that’s completely new to me. I don’t know why, but coming across new to me wineries is always a bit of a surprise.   That’s because…well…I’m a promiscuous wine lover that “gets around” so to speak. Between…

Sweet Potato Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

Our families Christmas tradition is that my wife and I host Christmas Eve Dinner.  On the menu this year was Prime Rib, Mashed Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta Sweet Potato Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake with Graham-Pecan Crust In years past I’ve made Cook’s Illustrated Pumpkin-Bourbon Cheesecake with Graham-Pecan Crust.  Last year, I made a Sweet Potato…

Saké and Cheese Pairings – A Revelation

Saké paired with cheese? Now that’s a combination that’s not likely to have crossed your mind. At least it hadn’t crossed mine. That is until I was invited to participate in a virtual tasting  of sake and cheese with sakés from Oregon based craft producer and importer, SakéOne along with cheeses from Marin French Cheese, and Laura Chenel Chevre. The…