Negroamaro – Three Styles from Puglia + Food Pairings
Cold weather and gray skies mean reaching for wines that remind me of sunshine. Let me introduce you to the Negroamaro grape variety and an extremely tasty dish.
Preview: Italian Food, Wine, Travel Group Climb to Puglia
February is the Italian Food, Wine and Travel group’s second month climbing Italy. I say climbing because we are working ourselves from the bottom of the boot to the Alps at the top. Our January Sicilian adventures with Culinary Camilla (link) propelled us to Puglia, the long and skinny heel of the boot, where our virtual exploration of all things #ItalianFWT… Read more »
You Are Invited: Italian Food, Wine, Travel Group Climb to Puglia
February is the Italian Food, Wine and Travel group’s second month climbing Italy. I say climbing because we are working ourselves from the bottom of the boot to the Alps at the top. Our January Sicilian adventures with host Culinary Camilla (link) propelled us to Puglia (Apulia in Italian), the long and skinny heel of the boot, where our virtual… Read more »
Frappato and Biodiversity at Santa Tresa Winery
Years ago, when I went into a wine store in Chicago where I lived and asked for a Sicilian red wine, I was handed Nero d’Avola. The same thing happened in Northern California some time later, and now in Bordeaux, we get the same. While I enjoy wine made from this grape, I am less of a mainstream person, preferring… Read more »
Let me introduce you to Dr. Mark Gowdy!
Seven years and a lot of work, wine, and wine related travels later, he finished in true French style. Let me introduce you to …
Generations of Women in Epernay – Champagne Élodie D.
Champagne Élodie D. is a sustainable grower producer with plots in Montagne de Reims and a tasting room in Epernay. I’m celebrating with one of her vintage Pinot Noir champagnes today!
Gamay Take Two – Meet the Côtes du Forez Appellation
Our local caviste (wine shop owner) knows we prefer looking off the beaten path for interesting wines. I continually search for non-French wine and Martin (pronounced mar-tah, above) continually steers me back to France. Yes his selection of less known French wines is vast and, well, fantastic. So again, our last visit, we left with French wine – two bottles… Read more »
Celebrating Fall in France with Cèpes
Wild mushroom lovers it’s Cèp season here in France (and around Europe and in the States). This deeply tasty variety is delicious sautéed and paired with wine.
The ‘Other’ Wine Grapes in Italy (#ItalianFWT)
Italy is home to innumerable native wine grapes yet international grapes on Italian soil make for fine wines perhaps more recognizable to broader markets.
Malbec Rosé Wine From Cahors
Winemaking in Cahors these days is a mixture of tradition, and the newer trend, making lighter, fresher, and less tannic 100% Malbec wines with a balance that highlights location and terroir. Traditional Malbec here can be fantastic, yet the older winemaking methods used usually result in bigger and bolder wines that need time for tannins to mellow out. I enjoy… Read more »