Adventures in Food and Wine
Last month I had the opportunity to participate in a webinar hosted by Susannah Gold, Oltrepò Pavese Brand Ambassador, Vinitaly International Italian Wine Ambassador, and founder and owner of Vigneto Communications. I knew little to nothing about Oltrepò Pavese before Susannah’s presentation. Now, after learning more about Oltrepò Pavese, tasting some wine samples, and viewing photographs of the region that resembles Tuscany, I am ready to visit this under-the-radar wine region….
When you think of wine from the Rhône Valley, red wine probably comes to mind first; after all, approximately 86% of the wine production is red. But the Rhône Valley also produces white, rosé, sparkling, late harvest, and sweet fortified wines. One Rhône Valley AOC is dedicated solely to making rosé. The Tavel AOC, one of nine crus located in the Southern Rhône, is 100% rosé.
This month the French Winophiles are exploring the diversity found in France’s Rhône Valley. Check out more articles at the bottom of this post and join our Twitter chat on Saturday, January 21st, at 11:00 AM ET. Use the hashtag #Winophiles to participate.…
Why not Champagne? It’s that time of year when Champagne corks are popping to celebrate the holidays while gathering with family and friends. Champagne literally marks an occasion with sparkle, aka streaming bubbles, to tickle and delight your palate. Whether you are sipping on a Grand Marque (like Veuve Clicquot, Moët & Chandon, or Bollinger), a Grower Champagne (like Pierre Péters or Tarlant), or a Coopérateur (like R.H. Coutier) there is so much Champagne to discover. Where to start? Let me tease you with Bollinger Special Cuvée NV paired with Roasted Oysters with Bacon and Leeks….
It’s that time of year again when Merlot takes center stage. The Wine Pairing Weekend group of writers is celebrating our 8th annual #MerlotMe. Join us for our Twitter chat Saturday, October 8th, 2022, at 11:00 AM ET. We will be talking about all things Merlot, from different styles, food pairings, and sustainable farming practices. I’ll share my tasting notes and fall food pairings of four Merlots to try….
As summer slowly fades into fall, I am sure to get the fill of my summer favorites. One of those favorites is a rosé from Languedoc in Southern France, Domaine de Fontsainte Gris de Gris. Another summertime pleasure is Salade Nicoise, composed of fresh, perfectly ripened vegetables, simply prepared and eagerly consumed with the utmost satisfaction.
This month the French Winophiles are highlighting sustainable/organic/biodynamic wines from the southern wine-growing region of Languedoc. While Languedoc production is primarily red wines, it was a rosé from Languedoc Corbières AOC paired with a Salade Nicoise that I knew I must share.…
Curious about wines from Portugal but don’t know where to begin? Let me introduce you to the white wines of Alentejo (pronounced ah-len-TAY-zhoo), located in the center-east portion of Portugal and bordering Spain on the far east side. (see map below). Here you will discover some of Portugal’s over 250 native grape varieties with distinctive…
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…
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,…
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…