Italian Wines From Non-Native Grapes: A Preview #ItalianFWT

This month I’m hosting the Italian Food Wine and Travel (#ItalianFWT) exploration of Italian Wines From Non-Native Grapes. With a rich wine history that dates back at least 3,500 years, and perfect conditions for growing wine grapes, it’s no wonder Italy is one of the most exciting wine regions in the world. It is home…

2017 Prima Materia Sangiovese + Chicken Liver Truffle Ragu Rigatoni #WinePW

This month the Wine Pairing Weekend (#WinePW) group of food and wine bloggers are exploring wines in the American edition of Slow Wine Guide, and pairing it with foods that evokes the ethos of the “Slow Food” movement. For the uninitiated, Slow Wine Guide selects wineries that respect and reflect their local terroir and practice sustainable…

A Taste of Castelão; 2017 Casal Figueira “Tinto” #WinePW

When pushed to suffer, like all good masochists do, this grape magically evolves into an intense and aromatic wine with red berry and floral aromas. Gabriel Opaz – Catavino This month the Wine Pairing Weekend group of food and wine writers are exploring new-to-us grape varieties. I recently wrote a book review of “Foot Trodden-Portugal…

A Taste Of The Unsung Wines of Oltrepò Pavese #ItalianFWT

This month, the Italian Food, Wine and Travel writers are exploring a new-to-me, and lesser known region of Italy – Oltrepò Pavese. Susannah Gold, founder of Vigneto Communications is hosting this month. She is a Brand Ambassador for the Oltrepò here in the U.S., and graciously arranged samples for our group. Oltrepò Pavese, which is sometime…

Sparkling Wine from Chablis? Oui! Val de Mer Brut Nature Rosé #WinePW

My pick for the theme is a fascinating and fabulous bottle of sparkling wine from the Chablis region of France. Who doesn’t enjoy sparkling wine?! The Wine Pairing Weekend group of writers is exploring “Bubbles From Around The World” this month. As our host Andrea of The Quirky Cork points out “…if a country makes…

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…

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…