Whiskey on the Prairie
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Craft whiskey helps bring back a craft grain as rye is booming in the United States.
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The Zen of Wine and Sharing
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I'm pleased to announce new dates for WSET courses in South Florida. One of my greatest pleasures is sharing my passion for wine with others, and teaching WSET courses for Fine Vintage, Ltd. allows me to not only share that passion, but to revisit it frequently and reexamine all the basics of wine. I also get to meet terrific people who want to learn more about wine as well. Join us - hone your tasting skills and build up your library of wine knowledge at one of the upcoming classes!
Read MoreWhen Wine Gets Chewy
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For rosé on the go, chews pink - there is a new flavor of Gummy Bear on the market flavored with Whispering Angel rosé. Seriously? The entire first batch sold out in two hours so we might assume it's a very successful confection - it sure got my attention in this week's blog.
Read MoreCognac Looms Large
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The announcement of a stunning Cognac release prompts some thoughts on the most elegant of brandies. And while few will be up for paying £60,000 pounds for one of the six-liter decanters of Louis XIII there are other Cognacs to consider that still carry the pedigree of this spirited terroir.
Read MoreCellar Treasures
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For some of us, Spring cleaning means getting rid of unused items, but at the Champagne house of Bollinger, a cleaning project unearthed some incomparable cellar treasures and created a new wine library.
Read MoreAn Oregon Pinot Is Best in Show
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An Oregon pinot noir has scored a stunning victory at the world's most prestigious wine competition, winning one of only 16 Platinum Best in Show medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards. It's not only a well-deserved recognition for a very fine wine, it illustrates an important expansion of the world's wine palate.
Read MoreMy Morning With Aurelio
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For many, 10 a.m. is a great time for a coffee break, but when Aurelio Montes, Jr., called me and suggested we get together at 10 to taste "something fresh," coffee was nowhere on the menu. His idea of fresh was a collection of fascinating new releases from one of my favorite wineries and an opportunity to catch up with one of South America's most interesting winemakers. All very tasteful, of course.
Read MoreA True Ambassador of Wine
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Etienne Hugel, of the 12th generation of his family to make wine in Alsace, passed away at the age of 57. I knew Etienne and learned a great deal from him, not only about Alsatian wine but about the humility of sharing. Some thoughts are in this week's blog post.
Read MoreMore Real-World Wine Pairings
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This week, more thoughts on the challenges and pleasures of pairing wine and food taken from the recent Interactive Dinner staged by VeritageMiami
Read MorePairing wine in the real world
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An interactive dinner in which guests cook alongside six star chefs gives ample opportunity to explore the mysteries (and the joys) of pairing wine and food. First up, a challenging combination of rich veal and foie gras dumplings with shaved vegetables in a tangy umami-laden dressing.
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