#CabernetDay

Cabernet Day wine corks

OK, so all these goofy celebration days have started showing up.  They don’t always make sense.  Enjoy Cabernet based wines in August?? Whose idea was that?  Once you decide to just go with it, you can have a lot of fun! Nicholas Kolnik organized a #CabernetDay event at Sunfish Cellars, a favorite Twin Cities wine … Continue reading

Dinner on the Farm

walk out to the farm

Have you attended a farm dinner yet?  There are some pretty fancy ones that are also very expensive.  $200 per person?  Sorry, not here.  However, there are likely some in your area that are reasonable, and you’re sure to have a good time.  Meet your farmers, and learn where your food comes from!  One piece … Continue reading

Basil Tasting

three types of basil

I always go overboard with the basil in our kitchen garden.  We have 5 plants, 3 varieties for two people!  How different do the various types taste?  Tonight, we did a basil tasting. We made little skewers of cherry tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella drizzled with balsamic vinegar and sunflower oil. Did you know that … Continue reading

A Meal Made for Pinot Noir

Pork Chops Stuffed with Cherries & Mushrooms, Grilled Salad on the Side If there ever was a meal constructed for Pinot Noir, this would be it!  The combination of cherries and mushrooms echo the main aromas and flavors of the wine.  The pork is a nice medium body, not too heavy, not too light, also … Continue reading

“Learn to Love Beets” Pizza

Beets on Pizza?  Why? Growing up, beets were a regular item at our dinner table.  Let’s just say I did not grow to be a fan.  When I left home to go to college I thought: “I never have to eat beets again!”  After 35+ beetless years, I decided I should really give them a … Continue reading

Trouble at the Intersection of Food & Wine

(A new monthly wine writing challenge comes from the Armchair Sommelier this month, with “Trouble” as our challenge topic) As my interest in wine & food has grown, trouble has come from places I never expected. Imagined trouble: the expense of wine purchases.  As interest grows, so grows the price per bottle and the number … Continue reading

Do Big Rich Cabs Really Go With Steak?

A wine dinner is a great opportunity to challenge your assumptions.  With an open mind, you might be surprised!  My confession?  I thought I would hate all the big, rich cabs.  To my surprise, several were very nice.  Now I just need to figure out how to ferret them out. After juggling multiple work schedules, … Continue reading

Wilderness Wine

Fine wine and premium Scotch too. Can You Take Wine on a Wilderness Trip? Most wilderness areas prohibit glass containers of any kind.  What’s a wine loving camper to do?  We just spent seven days in the Scapegoat Mountain Wilderness in Montana with the help of an excellent professional outfitter, K lazy 3.  Before the … Continue reading