Taking a Saber to Farmer Fizz #Winophiles
Having Some Fun With Grower Champagne This month, our group of French Winophiles are celebrating the recent ascension of Grower Champagne. I’ve covered Grower Champagnes several times, so today, we decided to have some fun with our bottle of Grower Champagne. Let’s Saber! Saber That Bottle of Champagne Popping the cork on a bottle of … 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
Explore Lesser Known Bourgogne at Domaine Chevrot & Fils
Explore a Lesser Known Village with Domaine Chevrot & Fils It’s difficult to think of any part of Bourgogne (Burgundy) as anything other than famous, and expensive. However, there are lesser known villages which offer beautiful wines at more reasonable prices. On my recent trip to Beaune, I made a point to spend time exploring … Continue reading
Castelli Vineyards – Going Their Own Way in Green Valley
Hiding in Plain Sight in Green Valley When I rolled into the driveway at Castelli Vineyards, I saw Emilio in his rubber boots, hose in hand. After greeting me, he asked how in the world I found Castelli Vineyards. Tiny production, no advertising, no media coverage. I explained I’m a Nebbiolo fan and I found … Continue reading
Tasting the Winemaking Consultant’s “Home” Wine
What Kind of Wine Do Consultants Make at Home? In the world of wine, there are winemakers whose expertise is respected to the point that they are searched out for advice, and often end up building a business around their approach. Each has a unique approach. For some, rich, ripe, smooth polished international style of … Continue reading
Biodynamic Bordeaux – Château Fonroque
Biodynamic Bordeaux To quote Kermit the Frog, “It’s not easy being green”. If your vineyard is located in a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and warm, dry breezes, you have few worries. Organic viticulture is pretty easy, as you have few challenges with mildew, rot, pests, disease. If, on the other hand, your vineyard is … Continue reading
Graham’s 20 Year Tawny Port: Formal to Cowboy
Tawny Port For Every Occasion Port comes in such a variety of styles and price points, there is sure to be a port for your every occasion from daily treats to special celebrations. Tawny port may be for you if you appreciate the nutty, caramel notes amidst the deep fruit and lively acidity. The color … Continue reading
Port to warm a winter evening
A Glass of Port by the Fire For those of us who choose to live in the northern, snowy regions of the earth, the idea of a nice rich, deep sweet finish to an evening sounds great. To my friends in Florida, central and southern California, I say, you must occasionally have a rainy, cool … Continue reading
Aged Riesling is the Real Deal
Guilty of Riesling Shunning Sommeliers famously love German Riesling. Mouthwatering acidity, refreshing, ageworthy, and the grape loves to reflect where it was grown. Regular wine drinkers, at least in the US, are not so fond. We write it off as sweet, and what’s up with that stinky petrol nose? Aged Riesling is the Real Deal … Continue reading
Visual Tour of Biodynamics at Littorai Wines
Integrated Agriculture Thinking at Littorai Wines Do you associate organic and biodynamic viticulture with manure filled cow horns, voodoo, and musty smelling wines? Better think again, some of the top wineries around the world have embraced these approaches. Not because they believe in voodoo, because they have tested the approach and liked the results. A … Continue reading
