Ah, Chardonnay. So common, so versatile that almost every winemaker keeps one in her portfolio. Warm or cool climate, good ol’ Chardonnay performs. The grape offers up a clean slate on which to stamp a style – from steely naked minerality to barrel-oaked creaminess and lots of variations in between. Is that bad? I wonder […]
Of chicken wings and Chardonnay Read More »
Distracted by the great international varieties – Pinot Noir, Syrah, Malbec – I often forget just what a great “go-to” wine Sicily’s signature Nero d’Avola actually is. This indigenous variety is full-bodied and elegant. Grapes are grown in the extreme southeast corner of the country where temperatures can approach 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the heat,
Sicily’s signature wine shines Read More »
The annual Celebration of the National Bird is upon us! Yes, Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and that means cooks and guests around the country are digging out their recipes and starting a list of foods to serve or bring to the festive meal. What about the wine? Tired of the same tried-and-true oaked
What’s on your Turkey Day wine list? Read More »
The news shaking the wine world is the recent revelation of leaked information on the 2018 Master Sommelier exam. The culprit was identified, but 23 candidates for the prestigious designation will have to retake the blind tasting portion of the exam. With the rising profile of Sommeliers, this episode is seen as a major setback
‘Somm’ wine news not a worry Read More »
Today, we trashed the 2017 calendar and hung the 2018 calendar in its rightful place on the kitchen wall, a ritual cleansing of sorts. Flipping through the crisp new pages with their attractive and seasonal photos, I felt inspired to do something I’ve shunned before – create a list of New Year’s resolutions. Uh, oh.
Savor, learn, and 5 other wine resolutions Read More »
