wine and food pairing

Back to the Jura (virtually), for Crémant this time around (#Winophiles)

9 Comments / wine /

Maybe the Jura wine region of eastern France appeals to me because it’s remote. Located in a narrow valley between Burgundy and Switzerland, the region has developed its own winemaking practices in isolation from outside influences. Or maybe the threat of spring and autumn frosts explains why Jura winemaking is so thrilling to imagine. The […]

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Kicking off #MerlotMe in the Pacific time zone (#WinePW)

21 Comments / wine /

Hooray for Merlot! Frankly, I never understood why Paul Giamatti maligned Merlot in the film “Sideways.” Even before I was seriously into wine, I loved the plummy, chocolate aromas and smooth, round mouthfeel of this classic French grape. Now that I live in the Pacific time zone, I’m hoping to visit wineries and vineyards up

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Celebrating ‘My Wine Day’ and the little country that could (#WorldWineTravel)

8 Comments / wine /

Remember festivals? I haven’t been to a festival or outdoor celebration since the pandemic started. Frankly, there’s been little to celebrate lately. All the more reason to embrace Eu deVIN sărbătoare – Moldovan for “My Wine Day,” the 2020 version of Moldova’s National Wine Day. What? Moldova? Yes, in 2016, this small East European country

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Benanti – Capturing the soul of Mount Etna wine (#Italian FWT)

6 Comments / wine /

Are volcanic soils better than others for growing wine grapes? Maybe you’ve heard or read they are. Not necessarily, but some volcanic soils are definitely good for vines and wines. Here’s why: Volcanic soils are porous. High draining capacity allows vines to dig deep for nutrients while naturally controlling vigor and reducing yields. Volcanic soils

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Leaning Savory with a 2016 Alain Jaume Côtes du Rhône (#Winophiles)

14 Comments / wine /

“This one is savory,” says Carol as she pulls down a 2016 Alain Jaume Côtes du Rhône from the shelf. I’m in her wine shop looking for a 2016, a particularly good year in the Rhône region of France. Carol has a half dozen or more Côtes du Rhône wines from this same vintage. “I

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