Have you ever been asked to do something out of the blue your gut pulls you towards? Something that makes you turn inward and think? A “wow, OK, this is not what I had planned for” kind of deep thought? Adventure, wine, the unknown pass through your mind. Yet, you don’t pause; there is no doubt in your mind, you… Read more »
Here in Bordeaux, harvest is in full swing, as are plums. We started with a variety of Italian Prune plum. The oh so petit and feminine Mirabelle were a treat. Then came the Yellow Gage, followed by a plum that resembles the Santa Rosa Plum. The Japanese or Red Plum was more familiar, as were the Greengage, and now finally… Read more »
From the quaint and charming Camogli we moved to the incredible sunsets of Lerici. This was another example of just showing up, where someone else did hours of research to find that special place. Lerici is situated south of Camogli on the Ligurian coast. It doesn’t have a train station but it’s an easy one hour bus ride from La… Read more »
When I ask people what they pair with port, the first response is usually chocolate. Deep, dark, silky and smooth, it’s wonderful with many port wines. But people not fond of chocolate want something different. A few years ago, I set out to find an offering when chocolate gets thrown out. What I found will be nice to enjoy on… Read more »
On Saturday morning I took the regional train from Bordeaux Gare St. Jean to Libourne, (a quick 25 minute, 8 euro ride) where I met up with my new friends. From there it was a mere 10-minute drive to Saint Émilion (and their secret parking spot). I met Laetitia at a recent wine class where we immediately connected. She lives… Read more »
My classmate Edward was born and raised in Bordeaux and offered to take us for a day-trip over to Arcachon, a small town about 1 hour west of here on the shores of Bassin d’Arcachon (actually a large sheltered bay connected to the Atlantic Ocean). Our primary objective was oysters (‘huîtres’ in French), but we also wanted to check out… Read more »
Once classes let out for the holidays, most of my classmates left town to go home. But a few of us stayed around, and we had Gonzague (French) and Tasos (Greek) over for lunch one day. Gonzague brought the baguettes and cheese (how French is that) and Tasos brought the fixings for (you guessed it) …a Greek salad! For Christmas… Read more »
Biscotti refers to a specific type of Italian cookie derived from the Tuscan “biscuit” called “cantucci”. (In Italian the word biscotti means biscuit.) For a while I thought a biscotti was a biscotti was a biscotti. That is until a friend threw a cantucci at me. His homemade cantucci so transported my sweet tooth I asked for the recipe (thinking… Read more »
“Had She oones Wett Hyr Whystyll She couth Syng full clere Hyr pater noster.”- 1386 Towneley Mysteries There was Sideways, then Bottleshock. How about French Kiss (a wine movie of sorts), or the classic many people may not know, The Secret of Santa Vitoria. And there was Somm which came out a few years ago showing viewers the intensity (and… Read more »
Hold this thought: Sauternes is Not Just For Dessert! Bordeaux has what’s called Portes Ouvertes (Open Door) weekends in most appellations once per month. Many of the wineries within the specific “open” appellation are available for degustation (tasting) without a prior reservation. Because châteaux require reservations, taking advantage of these weekends is a must for those interested in tasting. We… Read more »