Hanging Out at Pont du Gard & the Best 4€ Gas Station Wine Ever
Arles Market Day You can spend your time on a European trip visiting museums, restaurants or wineries, but if you miss a market day experience, you’re missing out on a glimpse into local life. Wednesday is market day in Arles, so we decided a picnic would be in order. (click on any photo to start … Continue reading
Châteauneuf-du-Pape of Course
No trip to the Southern Rhone would be complete without a visit to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Note this town doesn’t have the variety of shops found in some of the other Rhone wine villages. We had a fun time and would certainly recommend spending a day, just know that the town is about the wine and not … Continue reading
Touring Gigondas
When you’re wine touring in the Southern Rhone, you should plan a day in Gigondas. The village is charming, the surrounding area is beautiful and then there are the wines! Gigondas is one of the Rhone Cru villages, the second tier in Southern Rhone wines. The Cru Villages name their wines for the village, and … Continue reading
Southern Rhone & Domaine Rouge-Bleu
If you’re thinking of visiting the Southern Rhone, you should consider a stay at Domaine Rouge-Bleu. The estate is in the Cotes du Rhone and is close to all the towns you might want to visit: Rasteau, Cairanne, Gigondas, and of course, Chateauneuf-du-Pape. They have three beautiful B&B rooms overlooking the vineyards. Thomas and Caroline … Continue reading
#SauvBlancDay w/ Shrimp & Citrus Sauce
Happy #SauvBlancDay ! I have got to be crazy. Julie and I board an airplane to Europe this afternoon. We should’ve had takeout pizza last night. But today is #SauvBlancDay, and Sauvignon Blanc is Julie’s favorite wine. We joke that every day is #SauvBlancDay for her! I had to find an “easy, quick” recipe so … Continue reading
Fear: Love Wine, Hate to Write
#MWWC9 Fear I’m not a writer. I don’t have a novel inside. I’m not compelled to write. I started my wine/food blog as a way to explore social media, but writing always has been and continues to be a challenge. Food and cooking? Great. Wine? Love it. Photography? Great way to hone my eye and … Continue reading
Garlic Ramp Pesto on Fettucine with #NWTW Viognier
The #NewWineThisWeek assignment was Viognier from France. I spent some quality time with a variety of Viogniers this winter, so I didn’t feel a strong pull to participate this week. Along came Saturday, and I just couldn’t resist. I stopped by a local wine shop and picked up a $9 Viognier from the southern Rhone. … Continue reading
Goat Daube and Lioco Pinot Noir
The Tail End of Braising Season We’re well into spring in Minnesota, so I’m racing to use up the last of the braising meats I picked up at our winter farmers markets (held indoors). That said, we still have plenty of cool days where a nice warm stew or braise is perfect. Today we have … Continue reading















