You may be under the impression that pizza is too ordinary a dish to break out a bottle of wine for, but the truth is that pairing wine with pizza is actually a rather delicious idea. The plainest of pizzas can taste like a selection from a fancy pizzeria when enjoyed with just the right kind of wine. If you’re interested in this dynamic dining duo, then you’ll want to make sure that you do it right in order to truly capture the best that the experience has to offer. Types of Pizza Cheese … [Read more...]
There is still a chill in the air and some more cold days ahead and most of us are looking for a cure for our cabin fever. Sometimes it helps just to lighten things up a bit and step away from the average things we crave and cling to this time of year; the heavy blankets, the big red wines and the comfort foods. Cabin fever might be cured even with just a quick little walk around the block or on a nice trail, just to breathe in some fresh air and maybe even inspiration to return home and try a … [Read more...]
The next time you sit down to enjoy a juicy steak, if you want to bring out the true flavor of your cut, reach for a bottle of wine instead of a bottle of steak sauce. Pairing wine with steak might sound difficult at first, but as long as you’ve got the right information you’ll be able to pair your wine and steak like a culinary matchmaker. The Proper Balance Balance is the foundation when it comes to finding the perfect wine to go with the perfect steak. The acidity of the steak is what … [Read more...]
Just as you might crave a good piece of dark chocolate to just relax one’s mood, sometimes there is nothing like a craving for a great California Cabernet to make one’s mind just relax and be at ease while simultaneously satisfying your senses. If you are a fan of California Cabernet or consider yourself a collector, you must be familiar with Stag’s Leap as they have been one of the iconic Cabernet Sauvignon producers for over a century. The Estate The Manor House of Stag’s Leap was … [Read more...]
When it comes to going out and shopping for a good wine, there seems to be a little bit of a stigma of thought that you must spend a fair amount of money to have a good wine. In my experience, if you shop around, try various wines in various price ranges, this is not necessarily true. As with purchasing anything else and making a smart decision on what to purchase, it usually just takes educating yourself on the product. In the case of finding great wine, it does involve the pleasure of … [Read more...]
Why not all wine ratings systems are created equally Everyone’s a critic these days. Log on to TripAdvisor, Yelp, or any number of the opinion blogs out there to see how many people are eager to voice their opinions about a certain product or service. That’s why companies like Fodors, Frommers and even Michelin have created guides to help weed out the novice notions from the industry pro’s picks. That’s the same theory behind wine ratings. Although many people spend according to those … [Read more...]
Just because the winter months have set in fairly harsh this time of year, does not mean you necessarily have to stick with wintery wines. Think warmer and you might feel warmer. Lighten up your days or even a relaxing Saturday afternoon at home with a well-prepared and thought out lunch with something lighter, something to keep the winter out. I am sure it is not often when you feel like having a nice wine that you go to Chile. It might be one winemaking country you should start … [Read more...]
Before you instantly plunk that inexpensive bottle of wine back on the shelf, educate yourself about why some bottles of wine require you to sell a kidney in order to afford them and others you can buy with the loose change in your pocket. You may be under the impression that some wines are simply older than others or made with a higher quality of ingredients, but the truth is that there are three main factors that contribute to how expensive a bottle of wine might be: oak, terroir and time. … [Read more...]
The holidays are over and there always seems to be a bit of a slump getting yourself out of holiday mode into the normal routine. All the rich food and drink seems to linger long beyond the New Year. There might even still be some leftover! If you happen to be living in the northern hemisphere, we know you guys are having some intense weather at this moment with bone-chilling temperatures and snow. Sometimes I am ok with this. It is the perfect excuse to stay indoors, enjoy some comfort … [Read more...]
Purchasing wine is always an exciting event, especially when you are new to the scene. Any savvy shopper can recall that feeling of sheer exhilaration that stems from not knowing quite what you are going to get. For beginners, it’s about choosing whether to go with white or red, while novice shoppers tend to dance around the differences between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Finally, there are the true connoisseurs who relish in the interpretation of body, age, and everything in between. If … [Read more...]
Now that the holiday season is starting to wind down, the time has come to say goodbye to this year and welcome in the new year. And everyone knows that champagne is a must on New Year's Eve. Here are ten of the best champagne's that you should have near-by as the ball starts to drop. 1. Champagne Barons de Rothschild Rose These are in no particular order and I really did not put a Rose Champagne first on the list because I am partial to it, but it is after all delightful. Most … [Read more...]
For you wine lovers out there, there are a few wines we all put on our ‘To Try’ or ‘To Drink’, or ‘To Collect’ list and perhaps all three of those lists. The Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico should be one of them. Before we delve into the wine or the winery for that matter, allow me to explain what ‘Chianti Classico’ and ‘Riserva’ signifies for this wine or any other wine of the region. In the New World, ‘Reserve’, ‘Classic’ and ‘Estate’, among so very many different labels of wine … [Read more...]
The next time you find yourself in the Napa Valley, travel along the famous highway and wine route 29. Stop off at the Oakville Grocery. It’ll be on the left hand side going north. Order the large cutting board full of local charcuterie and cheeses, some gourmet olives and various dried fruits. Don’t forget the fresh baguette and maybe a coffee. I say coffee, for now as you will need it if you are in for a day of wine tasting. Have a seat out back of the shop at a picnic table overlooking … [Read more...]
If you have any home dinner plans this season, we all know what it involves besides the actual dinners themselves; dessert. Some people still have the classics like pumpkin or apple pie. Some like pecan pie, baking various flavors and shapes of cookies, chocolate cake if you trying something less traditional, maybe a soufflé? Pumpkin ice cream? My favorite? My sister always makes this ‘pumpkin roll’. She makes a type of thin pumpkin loaf baked in a cookie sheet, spread with a cream-cheese … [Read more...]
Blame it all on the holidays and the upcoming New Year! I had to do a review on this fabulous bubble, the Laurent-Perrier Brut. I personally, never just wait for the New Year or other special occasion open up a Champagne or other lovely Sparkling wine. There are many reasons to celebrate and there are simply too many bubblies to drink in a lifetime! So why wait? Christmas and most certainly New Year’s festivities are still only a few days away, and as I said you do not have to, nor … [Read more...]
A wine cooler could be a delightful gift option for the wine lover in your life. Whether your friend is just beginning to explore the world of wines, is replacing an outdated cooler, or needs expansion room to accommodate a growing collection, a dedicated cooling unit protects the owner’s investment as it guards and enhances flavor. When it comes to choosing the best wine cooler for someone else, it may prove to be a bit complicated. There are many different types of wine fridges available … [Read more...]
It's Christmas, which makes for a good excuse to spoil oneself. If you are a wine collector, maybe there are some bottles which need a little long-deserved attention. You can’t drink it when you dead! Go ahead and enjoy it. If you find yourself without a decent wine collection and you want to enjoy a wine that has already been kept for you with some good bottle time, here is a wine that fits into that category and it has been waiting a decade just for you. L’histoire The name, … [Read more...]
The holiday season is an inherently festive time, and with an abundance of parties, concerts, and special events sprinkled generously throughout the last several weeks of the year, there are plenty of opportunities to imbibe. And with so much of the holiday season centered on food, there are countless opportunities for wine and food pairing and personalization. Whether you’re a white wine lover or a red kind of person, and whether you’re planning a small, sit-down dinner or a large-scale … [Read more...]
It is the holiday season and you're probably still stuffing yourself with last weeks' Thanksgiving Turkey along with some guilt dancing around some of our heads today. ‘Tis the season and you know that just in a few more weeks you will happily do it all over again for Christmas and even New Year’s Eve. So no more wallowing, just wallow in the riches and gifts of the season and take it all in, because you know it will all be over in a flash and you will wish you might have savored it a bit … [Read more...]
The holidays are here, a time when we want to enjoy ourselves and life a bit more. It is time to make up for lost time throughout the year to spend with dear friends and loved ones and even share in the good things in life. Wine might be one of these good things and this particular wine falls in that category. Forget the old standby wines to go with your traditional or even non-traditional dinners during this season. Try something new. From the Rhone Valley in France, this red from Guigal … [Read more...]
For many people, relaxing with a glass of wine in hand at the end of a busy day is the perfect way to unwind and relish the taste of their favorite vino. However, the role of sulfites in wine has become a hot button issue for wine connoisseurs and the average public. Are they safe to drink? Why are they present? Do they enhance or subdue the flavor of wine? To answer these questions, let's take a closer look at what sulfites are, why they are in your wine and the most common myths associated … [Read more...]