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…
The Wines of Provence: Fifty Shades of Rosé
About this time every year, I emerge from winter’s cocoon with only one thought: sipping a glass of gossamer-hued, mouth-watering, fruity rosé from Provence. They’re light-bodied, crisp and fruity wines that are always dry. But what I discovered at a Provence Wine Council tasting in SF last week is that these wines can also show beautiful depth, expressiveness and even class that are unique to this region.
Roussillon: The Terroir Lover’s French Riviera
On the very edge of Southern France and bound by an ampitheater of mountains and the sea, Roussillon in some ways is isolated from renown. This is the true South of France.
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 …
Bordeaux 2014: The Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux and an Exceptional Autumn Define a Vintage
The Unions des Grands Crus de Bordeaux tasting in San Francisco last month illustrated the 2014 red vintage beautifully. It was a vintage where one of the best Indian summers in a century truly ‘saved’ the vintage and produced red Bordeaux of power and freshness.
Tasting Notes: The 2012 Vintage Bordeaux of The Unions Des Grands Crus
The annual Unions des Grands Crus Bordeaux tasting in San Francisco is one of my favorite tastings of the year. It is where I can discern the true potential of any vintage including the challenging 2012 season, which saw a cool, wet spring, a dry, sometimes hot summer and wet autumn.
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.