I have been drinking my fair share of Loire Valley wines this summer, from sparkling Crémant de Loire to Sancerre, Muscadet, and Rosé de Loire. These wines are perfect any time of the year, but they pair incredibly well with summer’s bounty of produce from the farmer’s market. My current case in point is all the tasty cherry tomatoes in all different colors and sizes — I can’t get enough of them. My solution to overflowing bowls of cherry tomatoes in my kitchen is “Blistery Herb Cherry Tomato Toasts with Whipped Goat Cheese.”…
Tasting Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc Paired with Smoked Salmon Crostini #Winophiles
By Jane 8 Comments
Sauvignon Blanc is usually first on my list as a fan of crisp, refreshing white wines. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a good affordable, and quaffable option. But did you know that the Lorie Valley in France is the spiritual home of Sauvignon Blanc? What does that mean? Sauvignon Blanc grown in the Loire Valley, specifically the Centre Loire sub-region, produces Sauvignon Blanc wines that express the true characteristics of the grape varietal. So if you want more purity and depth of flavor in your Sauvignon Blanc, try a Sancerre or Pouilly Fumé.
I’ve put together a tasting of Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc and paired them with smoked salmon crostini. After you taste the classic vibrant acidity, along with a core of minerality, herbal, and floral notes that distinguishes Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, I believe you, too, will become a fan….
Summertime Nibbles with Prosecco
By Jane 8 Comments
What I love about summer is how life becomes more casual and less fussy, from our schedules to what we eat and drink. Meals become nibbles of fresh seasonal ingredients that pack a punch of flavor. And the wines we crave during the dog days of summer are light on the palate and refreshing.
I’ve prepared a few of my favorite summertime nibbles. If you haven’t discovered shishito peppers yet, I have a simple recipe you will want to make again and again this summer. Who doesn’t love shrimp? Fast and easy sautéed or grilled shrimp with Chermoula, a Moroccan herb sauce that I have been putting on everything, speaking of packing a punch of flavor! Another summertime go-to is toasts topped with farmer’s market finds like oyster mushrooms, fennel lavender goat cheese, sweet corn, and basil. My summertime wine to pair with these nibbles is Prosecco for its lightweight and refreshing tiny bubbles….
Crémant d’Alsace Paired with Summer Fish Menus #Winophiles
By Jane 5 Comments
There is so much to love about the wines from Alsace; exceptional quality, value, and a whole lot of deliciousness. The sparkling wines known as Crémant d’Alsace are France’s favorite and best-selling bubbly after Champagne. The refreshing, crisp, food-friendly Crémant d’Alsace wines are perfect for enjoying with summer menus. I’ve grilled up two summer fish menus and paired them with a few of my favorite Crémant d’Alsace sparkling wines.
This month the French Winophiles are sipping on Crémant d’Alsace sparkling wines. Join us for our Twitter chat on Saturday, June 18th at 11:00 AM ET (using hashtag #winophiles). Don’t miss out on more articles on Crémant d’Alsace from my fellow French Winophiles at the bottom of this post.…
Arugula Cherry Farro Salad

I have salad goals! I try to have a salad every day. How do I keep this from getting boring? I shop at my local farmer’s market and feast my eyes on all the beautiful seasonal produce. The freshness, colors, and smells of the market inspire my salad creations. The offerings continuously change with the seasons, and new salad ideas come with those changes. Arugula Cherry Farro Salad, this is your motivation to toss up a salad, because it’s cherry season! Every year when cherry season rolls around, this salad happily returns to my plate. I’ve made it many times with different variations, but this is my favorite.
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Affordable Wines from Southwest France: Tasting & Pairings #Winophiles

The French Southwest wine growing region is often overshadowed by its Bordeaux neighbor to the north. If you are a fan of Bordeaux wines but not the hefty price tags, it’s time to get to know the wines of Southwest France. You will find similar grape varieties, taste, wine making methods, and quality in the…
French Inspired Spring Menu with Tavel Rosé & Cru Beaujolais #Winophiles

The French have a way with food and wine. They take care in selecting their ingredients, creating a menu, and preparing the dishes. This French way with food and wine does not end there. The French sit down around a table with family and friends and savor the food and drink. They taste the flavors,…
Women Behind the Wine: Domaine Weinbach, Catherine Faller #Winophiles

A wine estate’s story that includes multiple generations is always intriguing for me. The history of how a wine estate evolves, passing down aspirations from one generation to the next, is for many dream-worthy. Catherine Faller of Domaine Weinbach is a third-generation proprietor leading her family’s estate and continuing to pursue the aspirations and dreams…
3 Tuscan Red Wines to Try: Tasting and Pairings

There are three Tuscan red wines to try with different price points and complimentary food pairings of comforting winter dishes. January seems to be the month where we do more cocooning in our homes to avoid the snow and cold outside. Tuscan red wines lend themselves to those seasonal winter dishes like pizza, bolognese, or slow-braised…