Wine Education
Classic food and wine pairings
PB & J, Sonny and Cher, Champagne and caviar, ice cream and hot fudge, melon and prosciutto… some things in life are just both meant to be PAIRS! To aid my readers with pairing foods and wines, I offer a list of more classic (and a few not-so-classic) food and wine pairings. Remember, pairing is … Continue reading
A quick sip on the “do’s” of wine tasting
Sometimes tasting wine STILL makes me nervous. Friends who aren’t wine nerds like myself watch me intently as a swirl and sniff my glass, expecting me to say something… intelligent about the wine. Wine industry friends look at me waiting for me to say something that reflects what they’re thinking/smelling/tasting. My point? Even after trying … Continue reading
Scandals and fascinating moments in wine industry history
Scandals, natural disasters, pesticides wiping out an entire country’s vineyards, toxic chemicals injected into bottles, family feuds… the wine industry is full of drama! The following are some fascinating moments that changed the wine industry (and make for good cocktail hour conversation!). – Phylloxera The most devastating pest to ever hit the wine world came … Continue reading
Quick wine and food pairing tips
Matching foods and wines can be daunting to some, but it is the most fun part of the wine drinking/cooking process! The following are some tips to help you with your pairings. 1. Balance the heaviness or lightness of the wine with that of the food. A mixed green salad? By nature, light. Would you … Continue reading
“Nice legs!” Demystifying wine legs and making wine tastings less awkward
At wine tastings I often hear people make comments about the “legs” of the wine that linger on the glass after it is swirled, with said individual acting “impressed” if the legs are long/linger. Often I feel as if this is a nervous reaction… as if the person doesn’t know what else to say about … Continue reading
Learning France’s Rhône wines
In 2007, Wine Spectator Magazine named the Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2005 the wine of the year. But this certainly wasn’t the first time the Rhone region gained acclaim for its wines: the land has been producing wines since around 600 B.C. The following are some quick notes to familiarize yourself with the Rhone region. … Continue reading
The history of wine in the U.S.
In his book “The Cultivation of The Native Grape, and Manufacture of American Wines”, published in 1866, winemaker George Husmann states: I firmly believe that this continent is destined to be the greatest wine-producing country in the world; and that the time is not far distant when wine, the most wholesome and purest of all … Continue reading
Congrats, St. Emilion! France gains a wine classification
France has gained a new classification. Welcome, St. Emilion! According to Decanter.com, the St Emilion classification has finally been approved by the French government. The official announcement was published in the Journal Officiel on June 16. Officials have been waiting for approval by the French Ministry of Agriculture since the application was submitted in January … Continue reading
Winery Focus: Fattoria Colleallodole di Milziade Antano
Things often get lost in translation when traveling. So when my friend Brenda, owner of Bibenda wine bar in Assisi (and author of a great blog, Italian Winestyle) told me that we would be visiting a “garage winemaker” called Fattoria Colleallodole di Milziade Antano, I wondered the true meaning of the term. I thought perhaps … Continue reading
Fun, obscure white wines to try
You’re mastered the world of Chardonnay, and Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc. You know your way around the Gewurztraminers of Germany and beyond. You’ve even tried a sweet Tokay. Ready to try some really obscure stuff? Yeah. Me too. Here are some wines you may not have heard of but are worth giving a try. Most … Continue reading