Celebrate Merlot with Wine Pairing Weekend #MerlotMe #WinePW

October Is #MerlotMe Month Pumpkin spice is old news, and hopefully we haven’t seen any Christmas decorations yet.  That must mean it’s time for #MerlotMe! October 2018 marks year 4 for our Wine Pairing Weekend group collaboration with MerlotMe ! Join us in our month-long celebration of the Merlot grape. Along with the MerlotMe wineries, we’ll … Continue reading

Knudsen Vineyards Chardonnay and Farro “Risotto”

Knudsen Vineyards – Dundee Hills Pioneers I think of Knudsen Vineyards as the oldest new winery in the Willamette Valley. Way back in 1971 Cal and Julia Lee Knudsen purchased a 200 acre ex-walnut orchard and they initially planted 30 acres of their land to a vineyard of pinot noir grapes. They formed a partnership … Continue reading

Forbidden Foods and Stinky Cahors #Winophiles

The French Winophiles Tackle Cahors September is a great time for our French Winophiles group to tackle Cahors, a wine region in the Sud de France. Cahors wines are big, bold, often rustic red wines based on the Malbec grape. They’re taylor made for the cooler days of autumn. Cruise down further in this post … Continue reading

Finish Up the Rosato, It’s Barolo Time! #ItalianFWT

Seasonal Wines, Yes or No? Q: How many seasons are there in Minnesota? A: Two. Winter and road construction. Alternate A: Two. Winter and 4th of July. Minnesota is a state with four distinct seasons, and we embrace them all. In our wine groups I hear people saying “rosé is not just for the summer, … Continue reading

Drink Port in the Summer? and PortWineClick!

Summer Ports and PortWineClick! My son, Peter, kids me about all the Ports I highlight on my blog. Living in France, Port is not in his day to day regimen. So of course, he kids me about renaming my blog because I’m neglecting French wines. I, on the other hand, love all sorts of sweet … Continue reading

Tapas and Albariño: A Winning Combination #WinePW

Granbazán Albariño in a beautiful backyard setting

Wine Pairing Weekend Blogging Group Explores the Refreshing White Wines of Spain and Portugal This month, our Wine Pairing Weekend group is off on a virtual trip the the coastal regions of Spain and Portugal to enjoy the refreshing white wines available from the region. Bonus: since they are less familiar in the US, many … Continue reading

Eating Pizza / NotPizza with Italian / NotItalian Wines #ItalianFWT

Italian, Not From Italy with the Italian Food, Wine & Travel Blogging Group Wait, I thought this group is dedicated to Italian food, wine and travel?  This month we’re coloring outside the lines by exploring Italian grape varieties grown outside of Italy. Wine grapes from France have traveled all over the world, from the US … Continue reading

The Cook’s Atelier: French Cooking Experience in Beaune

Market Day Cooking Class at The Cook’s Atelier When you come to Bourgogne (Burgundy), set aside your Wednesday or Saturday for a day with The Cook’s Atelier. And don’t forget to book it in advance! Marjorie and Kendall are the mother-daughter team behind the shop and cooking school, and they will lead you through a … Continue reading

What’s Your “Be Prepared” Meal?

Boy Scout Motto: “Be Prepared” Long after my time as a boy scout leader, some of the sayings stick with me. “Be Prepared” is the Boy Scout Motto.  It’s no secret, my “be prepared” meal is lamb chops. I love lamb, but Julie is not a fan. So, whenever she is away for dinner, I … Continue reading

A Summer Afternoon at the Grill with Bourgogne Rouge and Oregon Blanc

Grilling Time in Minnesota OK, truth be told, I grill all year. However, June in Minnesota is the time to enjoy sitting out in shorts, “managing” the grill with a favorite beverage. Somehow, it’s not the same when you need a parka, just sayin’. Today we decided to cook one of our favorite roast chicken … Continue reading