California made people think rosé is sweet…and lesser quality. But it’s made all over the world. And, Provence (France) is credited for putting it on the map. Rosé is for serious wine lovers, yes, but really anyone interested in wine. Perhaps it were the marketers that ruined its image? Cheap and affordable? Rosé is just the opposite. It can be… Read more »
Great French wines are found in the Basque. Most people think of Spain when they hear the word Basque. But a little known fact is 15% of the area lies within southern France, where the coastal towns of Biarritz, Bayonne, and St-Jean-de-Luz entertain sun worshipers and surfers while just inland Hendaye in the Pyrénées foothills captivates hikers. The south west… Read more »
Vinexpo Bordeaux was the site of several talks and master classes including a special tasting showcasing the Italian sparkler Franciacorta. Little known in the United States or other parts of the world, Franciacorta may just be the next Champagne. It hails from the Lombardy region of northern Italy, where Italians have been making renditions of sparkling wine since the 1600s…. Read more »
A new group of ladies emerged from the land of Beaujolais, with an inaugural kickoff at Vinexpo in Bordeaux last week. Unique and specific, their portfolio of wines is a hit. I met some of the woman behind Elles Et Beaujolais- they are a compelling force in the region. 5 women, 5 vineyards and 1 common spirit: quality, tradition and… Read more »
Buying wine is like buying chocolate. They both have a world of flavors and attributes to consider. Do you want fruity or deeper earthy tastes? Belgian? Dark or milk? 85%? Then you navigate labels- Costa Rican, single origin, fair trade? You decide on a bar but see local producers as you head to check out. So many choices. The same… Read more »
Vinexpo is coming to Bordeaux July 18 through the 21st of June. So what is it and what’s it about? Here’s a quick read with a fun video at the end. Vinexpo is: an international brand established in 1981 specializes in major event and exhibition development in the wine and spirits sector, organized by and for people in the trade… Read more »
To understand Bourgogne it helps to understand its regions; a few offer excellent value wines. Saint Aubin is one in particular. Bourgogne (referred to as Burgundy in many countries) is long and narrow. The whole of Bourgogne runs from the town of Auxerre in the north (the land of Chablis) to just south of Mâcon, (north of Lyon in the… Read more »
Pineau des Charentes is a complex fortified wine with a sophisticated sweet side. It’s about the mingling of grape flavors with Cognac characteristics. People say it’s fresh, sweet and fruity but for me there’s more. It’s deep layers of complex flavor that promote discussion: bright to bruised apple, ripe apricot and fig, light spice, and vanilla nuttiness. Some have floral… Read more »
A few weeks ago Vinitaly was our destination in Verona. We previously attended a few wine events in California but nothing compares to Vinitaly. What an experience! A HUGE wine conference with thousands of vendors (4,270 exhibitors from 30 countries), it’s one of the largest in the world. Knowing where things are located will keep you from wandering aimlessly. It’s… Read more »
There are food and wine pairings so singular, it’s hard to stray from them. Like chèvre and Sancerre in France, tomato sauce and Sangiovese in Italy, or paella and Tempranillo in Spain. Once you partake, the flavors are etched in your mind. They meld with the people and place. I’ve caught myself reminiscing…remembering that meal, that wine, that town. There’s… Read more »