Grand Cru Burgundy wines

Unravelling the Burgundy Mystery

The Burgundy Mystery The Burgundy region of France has long been the worldwide reference for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  This storied region produces wines of amazing depth and complexity, and you can spend years learning even the basics.  It’s also a huge mystery.  Wines are labeled by the village name, or the vineyard name, or … Continue reading

Manzo Costatine Brasato al Nebbiolo

or: Beef Short Ribs Braised in Nebbiolo I’m still having fun with the Tourist Office of Langhe and Roero’s Recipe/Food Photography contest, #LangheRoeroinCucina.  This week’s ingredient is the local beef, Razza Bovina Piemontese.  Obviously, I can’t get Razza Bovina in Minnesota, but I can get local grass-fed beef from my friends at Sunshine Harvest Farm!  … Continue reading

You’ll fall in love with Piemonte

Judging by recent posts, you might think we’ve gone off the deep end for the Piemonte (or Piedmont), and you’d be right.  Julie and I spent six days in the Langhe (an area inside the Piemonte region) last September. Why would we fall in love with a wine region, thousands of miles away from home … Continue reading

Black Truffle Beef Stroganoff and Barolo

It’s another week in the Tourist Office of Langhe and Roero’s Recipe/Food Photography contest, #LangheRoeroinCucina.  This week’s surprise ingredient?  Black Truffle. The real surprise, though, is that they sent out a black truffle to each of the top ten contestants to date.  A fresh black truffle, all the way from Italy?  I think I already … Continue reading

Hazelnuts, Squash & Barbera d’Alba

Acorn Squash Stuffed with Hazelnuts & Ancient Grains We’re back in the hunt in the TuLangheRoero photo/recipe contest.  This week’s ingredient? Hazelnut or Nocciola Tonda Gentile in Italian.  A first thought would be a dessert, and there are many fine traditional Piemontese desserts that feature hazelnuts. This main dish is non-traditional, but the hazelnuts shine.  … Continue reading

Anchovy Beet-Green Pesto Pasta & Arneis

TuLangheRoero is currently hosting a food blogging/photography contest.  The challenge runs a little like the “Chopped” cooking show in slow motion.  Each Monday, they announce the secret ingredient, always a favorite in the Langhe and Roero districts of the Piedmont region in Italy.  The contest is to create and photograph a dish using the secret … Continue reading

#NWTW: Touriga Nacional

New Wine This Week: Touriga Nacional This is week 6 in #NewWineThisWeek, a fun ongoing social media event open to all.  All you need to do is find out what the wine of the week is, try it, and tweet or vote.  Join up! The new wine this week is Touriga Nacional, a major grape … Continue reading

Winegrower’s Devotion

Every glass of wine we drink is the result of years of devotion by a winegrower.  The next time you open a bottle, pause a moment to appreciate their dedication. Cheers! (click on any image to view the story in photos) This is my entry in the Monthly Wine Writing Challenge #7.  This month’s theme … Continue reading

#NWTW: Torrontes

New Wine This Week Are you interested in expanding your wine choices this year?  Join in with a group of wine lovers around the world (OK, it’s currently a small group) and participate in New Wine This Week (#NWTW on twitter).  A blogger in England, Please Bring Me My Wine, started 2014 with a pledge … Continue reading

Super Bowl Duel: Barolo vs. Napa Cab w/Steak

For Super Bowl Sunday, we’re running a head-to-head wine duel with a steak dinner.  Who will win: Barolo or Napa Cabernet? In the pre-game matchup, we compare the wine stats.  The Oddero Barolo is lighter in color.  However, it reports 14.5% alcohol vs. the 13.9% for the Frog’s Leap Cab.  Which one is more intense?  … Continue reading