There are a handful of wine regions throughout the world that stand apart for offering nothing short of the best wine in the world. Many of these areas are in Europe, and it’s possible to hone-in even further by placing focus on France. Within the country, regions like Champagne, Cote du Rhone and others bring to mind the finest wines available, and then you have the two “B’s” -- Bordeaux and Burgundy. Hyped beyond belief and home to some of the most expensive bottles in the world, both … [Read more...]
Ah, oysters. Could there possibly be a creature that better exemplifies the tastes and textures of the ocean? For some, a love of oysters runs deep, and these people know that there’s no better pairing in the world than Champagne...right? Sort of. Champagne is certainly an incredible match for these briny little mollusks, but it’s not the only game in town. There are plenty of great options for pairing with oysters that will not only match up just as nicely as Champagne, but will also save you a … [Read more...]
There are a number of unique factors that can influence the overall character and structure of a wine. Oak barrels, for example, can lend a handful of unique qualities to wine when utilized during the aging process, and techniques like whole-cluster fermentation can create wines that are entirely different from what one might expect. No element matters quite as much as the grapes being utilized, however, and it’s not just the specific variety, either. More often than not, the soil in which the … [Read more...]
Considering the vast array of different grapes that make up the wine world, there are some which have stood the test of time for centuries and have never been at risk of falling out of popularity. Merlot comes to mind, as does Pinot Noir and other, similar noble grapes. On the other side of the spectrum, there are grapes that have fallen out of prominence, sometimes reaching the point of nearing extinction. The Sicilian white grape Grillo finds itself squarely in the latter category, and … [Read more...]
Many wine enthusiasts dream of someday building a wine cellar in their own home. It can seem at times like a lofty goal, and the number one element that keeps people from moving forward with the project is money. Indeed, it can be expensive to build a wine cellar, but there are plenty of ways to avoid overspending throughout every step of the process. There’s no reason to think that you need to be made of money in order to build a respectable wine cellar. Put the following advice into … [Read more...]
There are few things that people who aren’t used to fine dining find more uncomfortable than interacting with a sommelier for the first time. This is especially true for those who don’t particularly hold a wide breadth of knowledge about wine, in which case they may feel inadequate or out of place. The fact is, the sommelier (or “somm,” as they’re often called) is there with one single purpose -- to improve the dining experiences for you and your guests. If you’re not sure what questions to … [Read more...]
When you think of wine and Japan, you probably think of so-called rice wine like sake, or super sweet plum wine. But in recent years, the popularity of these traditional Japanese drinks has waned, and what we would consider Western-style drinks like beer, whisky and wine are now much more popular than sake. Beer and whisky are widely available from vending machines, which are ubiquitous all over Japan; and while wine is nowhere near as popular as those two beverages, it has a cult following, … [Read more...]
2016 was a reasonably interesting year for wine around the world. We saw the continued growth and ongoing strength of wines from the southern hemisphere, mainly in certain parts of Australia and New Zealand, and it was the year when the sparkling wine crown was almost toppled from Champagne, with excellent results coming out of the eastern United States, and England, a relative newcomer to the scene. Last year also saw the continuing rise of "natural" wine styles -- something set to continue for … [Read more...]
Ask anyone who holds a deep understanding of wine, and chances are they’ll tell you that the beverage really shines when paired with the right food. Food and wine have been tied at the the hip for centuries, and for good reason. Certain characteristics of food can bring out hidden flavors in some wines that many people don’t even realize are there. This being said, not all food and wine pairings are created equal, and the wrong combinations can be enough to turn people off completely. While … [Read more...]
Wine makes a perfect subject and backdrop for film: you have photogenic vineyards, often located in the most scenic places on earth; you have the glamour and mystery of winemaking; and you have the appeal of wine itself, an endless source of learning and fascination for everyone from casual wine drinkers to dedicated oenophiles. With the advent of streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, there are dozens of movies and documentaries about wine and winemaking at your fingertips. But … [Read more...]
For wine drinkers, New Jersey may be considered an under-the-radar American region, but today, the wine business has improved dramatically in the Garden State. Although wine lovers may not instantly think of New Jersey when deciding which varietal to sip with dinner, things are changing rapidly as the region is being recognized by experts worldwide. It’s also receiving an abundance of awards and gaining devoted fans in recent years. Dating back to the Colonial times, New Jersey has always … [Read more...]
The vernacular associated with the wine industry can be one of the greatest challenges to those who are attempting to broaden their understanding of wine in general. Some terms, confusing as they may be, serve an important purpose and deserve a place in conversation, and terroir finds itself squarely on the list. It’s something you’ve probably seen listed on wine labels or have heard in passing from your favorite restaurant’s sommelier, but what exactly does it mean? Terroir may be a point … [Read more...]
Set against the backdrop of the legendary Hollywood Hills, the neighborhood of West Hollywood is centrally located in the heart of Los Angeles, and known as a vibrant hotspot with an abundance of restaurants, bars, boutiques and cultural experiences. Frequent celebrity spottings, exotic cars and endless days of sunshine are the norm here, and this eclectic community attracts locals as well as tourists to soak in the essence of the authentic SoCal lifestyle. At just about two square miles in … [Read more...]
Opening a bottle of bubbly is delightfully fun, but even for the casual imbiber, there are plenty of essentials to consider before popping the cork. For those who are new to the world of sparkling wines, choosing a bottle for a casual event or a special occasion can be a bit daunting, as there are an abundance of sparkling wines produced around the world -- all of varying quality, character and taste. Many wine enthusiasts may be aware that Champagne is a sparkling wine, but not all sparkling … [Read more...]
One of the biggest misconceptions about wine that keeps people from enjoying the beverage to its fullest is that great bottles can only be had for large sums of money. This is a fallacy like no other, purported due to the fact that the media and collectors have hyped up bottles that cost thousands of dollars each with a folklore type of mystique. Sure, there are some amazing bottles out there that can fetch exceptionally high price tags, but to say that there aren’t also great bottles available … [Read more...]
Known for its famous space needle skyscraper, bold coffee and drizzly skies, Seattle is a picturesque, bustling city that attracts foodies with a multitude of world-class restaurants, museums and cultural experiences, as well as plenty of outdoor activities, including bicycling, hiking and kayaking. Although there is an abundance of sights to see in Seattle, many visitors are thrilled to learn that the town has a nearby wine country of its own -- in a valley located only about 30 minutes … [Read more...]
As the days grow shorter, and the cold weather begins to spiral its way down from the frozen north, people gather together in the dark to make the most of what they have, and look hopefully towards the new year. Winter is a time of resourcefulness, but also a time of taking pleasure in the simple things, the small things. For thousands of years, the days and weeks before the winter solstice -- the shortest, darkest day of the year -- have been a time of feasting and merriment, and opportunity to … [Read more...]
The holidays are here, which has many people frantically trying to shop for the best wines to open with friends and family. With so many different options to choose from, it can be head-spinning trying to determine where to start. Whether you’re putting together a list of wines to pair with dinner or are simply looking to keep your guests entertained, winter calls for big, bold reds. The richer and deeper, the better. Save the light thirst-quenchers for summer -- here are 8 strong red wines … [Read more...]
Ahh, Champagne. Its name alone connotes luxury, symbolic in ways that bring to mind celebrations for a job well done or a special occasion. Whether with a meal or on its own, Champagne can all but completely transform one’s evening and leave lasting impressions. At the same time, Champagne is one of the most mysterious entities in the wine world for many people. Some think that they need to spend hundreds of dollars to end up with a serviceable bottle, and it often comes down to a lack of … [Read more...]
With New Year’s Eve right around the corner, many people are already making plans regarding where and what to eat and drink. After all, what better way to ring in a new year than with a tremendous meal and a bottle of incredible wine? When it comes to choosing wines for New Year’s Eve, no list of offerings would be complete without at least one bottle of Champagne. With all the options to choose from, however, finding the right Champagne for the occasion can be easier said than done. Instead … [Read more...]
What’s the perfect gift for any wine lover, other than a bottle of wine? Wine accessories, of course! From the inexpensive to the luxe, gag gifts to what-I’ve-always-wanted, there are accessory gifts out there for every oenophile. The following are just a few of our favorites. Shop for a Decanter Here 1. Decanter or Aerator As with wine buckets, decanters are the type of item most people don’t think to buy for themselves, even though they can greatly improve the taste of … [Read more...]
