A founding father’s other favorite French wine for July 4th
Thomas Jefferson was the first distinguished American connoisseur of wine. He travelled widely throughout Europe, tasting and collecting wines, and became particularly …
A New Book on Monks and Wine Will Change the Way You Think About the Cote Chalonnaise
This is the book I’ve been waiting for. It fills in many of the gaps in our knowledge of monks and wine against the backdrop of cultural, political and economic influences of the time. It helps us gain a better understanding of the factors driving wine quality that continue to this day. And by adding emphasis on the reputations of Givry and Cote Chalonnaise wines, the authors elevate the image of this lesser-known and under-appreciated region of southern Bourgogne.
Two Words You Must Know in the Burgundy Lexicon
Last week, the Bourgogne wine region also known as Burgundy joined a global coalition of other classic wine regions to protect place name and origin. Now is the perfect time to start calling Burgundy by its French name, as we do for all other French wine regions. Going hand in hand with the authenticity of the Bourgogne name is the authenticity of its wines based on “climat”, the Bourgogne version of terroir.
The Man Behind the Brand: What You Don’t Know About Georges Duboeuf
When I heard that Beaujolais juggernaut Vins Georges Duboeuf was not planning a huge celebration for their 50th anniversary on September 4, 2014, I was truly surprised. But then I met the man behind the brand, Georges Duboeuf. He dispelled all the preconceptions I had about the brand, and of Beaujolais itself…
Standing On The Shoulders of a Giant: Robert Mondavi
Robert Mondavi left a great legacy to the Napa Valley but one of his most enduring gifts may be the core values he drove into his own team of successors, each of whom have also changed the world of wine in their own way
Revelations From the Napa Valley Vintage Tasting: 2013, 2014 and 2015
During Premier Napa Valley, the trade have an opportunity to blind taste through three different vintages of 15 Napa Valley producers’ Cabernet Sauvignon wines. My original interest in attending this tasting in the past was to see if there was discernible vintage character, but now I also seek out brand styles, consistency and quality as they leap out of the glass vintage after vintage, and back-to-back.
Pinot Noir: The Burgundy Wine Lover’s Alsace
As a Bourgogne wines specialist, I was so pleased to discover Alsatian Pinot Noir at a recent dinner hosted by Vins d’Alsace …
Hall Wines in Napa Valley: Art That Makes You Smile
Whenever I think of HALL Wines, I think happy. One can never drive past the leaping 35-foot Bunny Foo Foo without …
Discover ‘Provence Food and Wine: The Art of Living,’ at Home
The French Riviera. Cote d’Azur. Saint-Tropez. Cannes. They all evoke a relaxed, outdoor lifestyle of warm breezes and brilliant sun overlooking azur blue waters, glass in hand filled with a light-bodied, mouthwatering and fruity rosé. But this region of nearly 70,000 acres is much more than just sunny beaches and fruity wines. In the new book “Provence Food and Wine: The Art of Living” the authors explain why in colorful detail and authentic recipes.
aMuse Bouche: Burgundy Spice
With Burgundy’s rich and strongly flavored dishes, it’s easy to see why tangy Dijon mustard would be a specialty here. At a Moutarderie tour at Edmond Fallot, I learned the difference between Dijon and Burgundy mustard.