The Italian Wine Cooperative Surprise #ItalianFWT
Italian Food, Wine & Travel Group Discovers Italian Wine Cooperatives This month, our group of Italy fans is exploring the wine cooperatives of Italy. Virtually every course, text, or article on cooperatives stresses how they produce just average wines. The growers are paid by the ton for their grapes, so there is no incentive to … Continue reading
Gewürztraminer and Cooking the Cover of Bon Appétit
Cooking the Cover Do you have a favorite cooking magazine? I’ve had subscriptions to several over the years, and I’ve landed on Bon Appétit as my long term favorite. The recipes find that magic balance between something new and different while still being accessible. I can generally find the ingredients and the list is not … Continue reading
Rack of Lamb in the Snow with GD Vajra Barolo
Winter Grilling in Minnesota (or anywhere, really) So many people put the grill away for the winter, but why? Well, there is the dark, and the snow and the cold….. In Minnesota, though, we’d hardly use our grills for more than 3 months and who can tolerate that? I’m fortunate to own a ceramic grill, … Continue reading
Vouvray Pairs with Cream #Winophiles
Loire Valley White Wine Roller Coaster I love white wines from the Loire Valley. There is such variety as you travel from the central vineyards with Sauvignon Blanc, out to the middle Loire for Chenin Blanc, and finally crisp Muscadet as you get out to the coast: perfect for the oysters nearby. There are many … Continue reading
Low and Slow Grilling with Texas Wines #WinePW
Wine Pairing Weekend Group Discovers Texas! Wait, they make wine in Texas? Yes! Thanks to one of our Wine Pairing Weekend members, our group was provided with samples from a variety of Texas wineries, and this month we’ll be blogging about our experiences with the wines and pairing them with a variety of foods. You’ll … Continue reading
Gran Selezione: Pinnacle of the Chianti Classico Ladder? #ItalianFWT
Italian Food Wine & Travel Explores Tuscan Wines of Chianti and Its’ Neighbors Our #ItalianFWT group travels (virtually!) around Italy, blogging on a monthly topic. This month, we’re exploring the wines of Tuscany, including all the versions of Chianti and its’ neighbors. Several in our group received samples of Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico Gran … Continue reading
Cru Bourgeois Bordeaux – Your “Go-To” for the Grill
Cru Bourgeois Wines and the Grill Cru Bourgeois wines from Bordeaux fill a perfect spot at the dinner table when grilled foods are being served. They possess a magical combination of high quality, affordable price (around $20 US for a bottle), age-able but ready to drink on purchase. Whether you’re holding one in your cellar … Continue reading
Invitation to 5th Annual Collaboration #MerlotMe and #WinePW
October Is #MerlotMe Month It’s October, time for autumn leaves and the dreaded pumpkin spice everything. More importantly, it’s time for #MerlotMe! October 2019 marks year 5 for our Wine Pairing Weekend group collaboration with the MerlotMe wineries! Our blogging group will be posting and sharing our love for Merlot all during the month of … Continue reading
The “New” Huîtrerie Régis
Paris for a Day On some trips, we end up with a free day in Paris prior to returning to the states, and we never complain! It’s a chance to see what’s new and to visit some favorite spots. (click on any photo for a full size slideshow) Huîtrerie Régis – One of Our Favorites … Continue reading
Vermilion Valley Vineyards – Is Ohio on Your Wine Radar?
Time to Put Ohio on Your Wine Radar We all know about Napa Valley and California wine. We know about Washington State and Oregon. Some folks know about wine from New York State and Virginia. How about Ohio? Last winter I saw some posts on Facebook by a young winemaker from Ohio, he seemed passionate … Continue reading















