You’ll see a lot of holiday buying guides out there urging you to pair Beaujolais with your Thanksgiving turkey and giving you affordable Champagne alternatives. This isn’t one of those. These is real talk: insider tips from a wine professional who has hosted everything from frou-frou wine dinners for diplomats to Christmas Eve celebrations for her Boston Irish family. Over a decade of figuring out what the heck to pour culminates here. Happy holidays! 1. Keep it Simple Oftentimes, people … [Read more...]
Want to get ahead of the wine curve? Set your sights (and cellar investments) on these up-and-coming regions. 1. El Dorado, California It’s true that California owes most of its vinous glory to the Napa Valley, but El Dorado is proving itself a contender, especially as current wine trends favor nuance and acidity over the bombast and jam Napa is famous for producing. El Dorado’s soaring elevation (up to 3,500 feet) and cool microclimate mean a multitude of varieties -- from chardonnay … [Read more...]
There are over 5,000 vitis vinifera grapes growing in the world today, and France and Italy are home to most of them. Why, then, do we spend so much time drinking only Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo and Sangiovese? Expand your horizons with the following lesser-known French and Italian grapes, all worthy of serious sipping. France 1. Savagnin (aka Traminer) The white grape responsible for the Jura’s prized oxidative Vin Jaune wines, savagnin produces powerful, structured whites that can … [Read more...]
A historical destination that’s home to the Liberty Bell, Declaration of Independence, and an array of sights and attractions dating back to the colonial era, Philadelphia is also a dynamic dining adventure for food lovers. Today, it’s a city that’s bursting with imaginative restaurants, blending a variety of culinary classics -- with inventive dishes served up in creative spaces surrounded by cool design. Considered one of the world’s top foodie destinations, this east coast city features a … [Read more...]
California has owned our domestic wine industry for a long time. Not that it happened overnight. There was a time when the world thought California wines were undrinkable copies of Old World favorites. Then California wines started winning awards, and the wine experts quit laughing. That’s kind of where we are today with some of the upstart wine-growing states like New York, Texas and Virginia. Actually, they’re not really upstarts. Growers in Texas planted vines in the mid-1600s. Not that … [Read more...]
Fall is the time of year when many people begin to slow down a bit and enjoy the change in season. For wine drinkers, this means moving away from summer sparklers like Rosé and into cooler weather territory, but it’s not quite time to dive into the deep, rich winter warmers so many people look forward to as the weather begins to chill down. Instead, fall is an excellent opportunity to look towards some of the lighter, easy-drinking reds available, many of which are tailor-fit for drinking once … [Read more...]
One of the biggest misconceptions in the wine world is that one needs to spend a veritable fortune in order to move into the tier of “great” wine. It’s often assumed that wines under $20 are unrefined or lacking qualities that are characteristic of truly extraordinary wines, but that is seldom the case. Reasonable, quality wine is more widely available today than ever in the past, and there are countless bottles in the $20 and under range that are not only drinkable, but capable of providing … [Read more...]
You needn’t be a connoisseur to understand the value of quality wine. Riedel’s decanter selection boasts unmatched quality, and the company's focus on glass quality, confident design and durability make Riedel decanters a truly superior option. Decanting vintage wine, just before it’s served, ensures brilliance and clarity. You’ve probably tasted sediment, and it may have caused you to swear off wine forever. Sediment builds over time, and it’s an unavoidable trademark of quality wine. But a … [Read more...]
A quintessential California town, Pasadena is situated in a prime SoCal location -- about ten miles north of downtown Los Angeles and approximately 25 miles from Santa Monica. Pasadena is known worldwide as the home of the annual Rose Bowl, as well as the colorful Tournament of Roses parade that kicks off every new year in a brilliant and multi-hued fashion. Steeped in history, Pasadena was once home to early Native Americans, and later became part of Spain, Mexico and eventually the United … [Read more...]
With each passing year, it seems as if entire sets of new trends pop up in the food and beverage industries. Wine is no different, and the industry has experienced handfuls of permutations over the years. 2016 has seen its fair share of wine trends, some of which are likely to stick around for years to come. Others, however, may turn out to be nothing more than blips in history. Without further ado, here are the top worldwide wine trends of 2016, all of which have had an effect on the … [Read more...]
If you’re even a little bit of a foodie, fall is likely your favorite season. Not only do you have Foodie Christmas to enjoy (aka Thanksgiving), there are a ton of fruits and vegetables that come up ready to harvest in autumn, including wine grapes! While you’re enjoying nature’s bounty, why not make a great meal more amazing and pair it with the perfect wine? Here are some of our favorite fall foods and a few awesome wines to pair them with. Fair warning: This list of food pairings and their … [Read more...]
We all love to drink wine. We love to break out a new stemware set and pour out an aged bottle of Merlot for a gaggle of special guests. It’s an easy method of entertainment; wine provides a medium for good conversation, deep laughter, and memorable evenings, but what if it could provide a memorable meal too? Along with serving it in a glass, there are several ways that wine can be incorporated with the food it accompanies. In order to better utilize wine into all aspects of your next soirée, … [Read more...]
Hanson Winery Jason Hanson and his father, Clark, run Hanson Vineyards in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Hanson is a fourth-generation farmer, but he only put grapevines in the ground about ten years ago. Now, Hanson Vineyards is known for their Pinot Noir and non-invasive winemaking technique. Here, Jason Hanson talks with us about his winemaking philosophy, new varietals, and why beer is a winemaker’s favorite beverage. How did you get into winemaking? What’s your background? … [Read more...]
Almost any time is the right time for a picnic. In spring we are itching to get outside after winter’s dreary chill. In summer we celebrate the long bright days by eating outside with friends, sometimes grilling at home, sometimes spreading a blanket at a concert or fireworks show. In fall our picnics turn into tailgate parties, eking out the last bits of brisk outdoor weather before winter sends us indoors again. Of course some lucky climates encourage picnicking all year long, sometimes … [Read more...]
Many wine lovers are familiar with Italian reds and whites from the popular regions of Italy, such as Tuscany, with its rolling hills and sprawling vineyards, as well as the northern area around Veneto, with vines that grow almost vertically along the earth’s steep inclines. However, in recent years, vintages from Sicily are attracting more attention across the US, inspiring wine aficionados and casual wine drinkers to expand their horizons by tasting more varietals from Italy’s largest island. … [Read more...]
Wine is viewed by many as the perfect beverage for pairing with a meal. Throughout history, food and wine have been connected at the hip, far from being mutually exclusive from one another. There are plenty of foods that pair quite well with wines of all kinds, but cheese reigns supreme in terms of options and explosively delicious wine pairings. Experimenting with cheese and wine pairings can be a great deal of fun, but it’s helpful to start with some that are tried and true to gain an … [Read more...]
Miquel Barceló 2012 The Bordeaux winery of Château Mouton Rothschild is one of the most well-known in France, and indeed the world. Famous for its bold, high-quality red wine, Mouton was the highest-rated of all the French wines in the famous 1976 “Judgment of Paris” blind tasting. It’s been at the center of the wine business and technical innovations since the early 20th century, and continues to be an influence on wine making around the world. If you’re only familiar with one winery in … [Read more...]
Photo Courtesy of Cakebread Cellars Most wine enthusiasts are familiar with the name, Cakebread Cellars, an award-winning Napa Valley winery. With its bottles sold throughout the United States and the world, the name is synonymous with the finest wines produced in California. With a long history in the area, the Cakebread family settled in the Napa Valley area well before it was known as the prestigious winegrowing region it is today. Established in 1973 by Jack and Delores … [Read more...]
Wine is, by definition, an approachable libation. For centuries, it has been enjoyed worldwide by hardworking people of all walks of life. Yet, many people think that the wine world is not for them. Why? Most likely because they’ve been fed lies year after year about wine and feel as if it’s not approachable at all. This is a shame, as it has led to countless individuals shying away from wine altogether. Once you can gain a thorough understanding of some of the lies you’ve been told about … [Read more...]
For many, a mention of the Finger Lakes brings up memories of summer vacations, kitschy tasting rooms and wines that make good souvenirs. Even when the region put its full efforts behind a branding overhaul in recent years, claims that the New York AVA had the potential to match up with bulwarks like Napa and the Willamette were met with skepticism from professionals and consumers alike. Go to the region, though, and it’s clear that something is happening. If you know where to look, the Finger … [Read more...]
If you’re a proud member of the wine-drinking community, it’s likely you might have seen your favorite sommelier whacking at the neck of a Champagne bottle with a chef’s knife, carving knife or whatever sword-like implement is most easily obtained in a common kitchen. Ask what they’re up to, and you’ll find out that the wine did not, in fact, wrong them in some way; instead, they’ll tell you they’re “sabering” the wine. Stand back while they have a go at it. Why do they need to open their … [Read more...]
