Wine Tasting

May 24, 2020 2

Cassis: A Timeless AOC

Cassis is the most beautiful AOC (appellation d'origine contrôlée) in France: the vineyards cling to the slopes of a magical amphitheater that plunges towards the shimmering Mediterranean. The Phocaeans (ancient Greeks from Asia Minor) must have been enchanted with these slopes when they first saw them 2,600 years ago. And they did well to plant them to the vine. The perfect exposure, dry and nutrient-poor soils and the cooling Mediterranean... [...]

May 10, 2020 7

Hermitage – the finest manifestation of Syrah and Marsanne

Standing guard with a fabulous view looking south over the Rhône Valley is the magnificent hill of Hermitage, crowned by the famous chapel of St Christopher.

Geologically, the hill was part of the right bank Massif Central until the Rhône River burrowed its way to the west, ensuring Hermitage as the only granitic terroir... [...]

January 4, 2020 5

Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
Chilling With Friends

It was the eve of a minor surgical procedure that was to keep me off my feet for four to six weeks. What was I to do? Naturally, I invited friends over for meal-worthy charcuterie board to chill, try out some wine ... and to keep my mind off the knife. What would you have done?

While there is no one “recipe” for putting together a charcuterie board, I invite... [...]

December 7, 2019 4

Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
Spice is Nice

When faced with a recipe that is very spice-forward, I am sometimes at a loss for the wine selection. Spice, in this case, is all spice and no heat. The hottest spice within the recipe is the dried mustard powder. Ancho chile (sweet, not hot), cumin, coriander, and mustard are the other ingredients in... [...]

December 2, 2019 8

TAKING THE SLOW ROUTE ALONG THE RHÔNE FROM LYON TO LOURMARIN – PART TWO

We recently opened a bottle of Les Terrasses de L’Empire (2017), a classic Condrieu from Domaine Georges Vernay. The familiar aromas of fragrant white peaches and mangoes... [...]

August 3, 2019 4

Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
Regroup(er)ing

I know you. You spend significant time planning your menus and your wine pairings. Maybe not every day, but at least for special occasions. I certainly do, and this weekend was no exception.

I was planning an anniversary dinner for us. I bought a nice rosé... [...]

June 30, 2019 6

TAKING THE SLOW ROUTE ALONG THE RHÔNE FROM LYON TO LOURMARIN – PART ONE

Earlier this year, long before sweltering heat descended on Europe, Towny and I escaped the frigid temperatures of New England and went to France. The night before we left, we found ourselves in... [...]

February 2, 2019 4

Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
Side by Side by Syrah

Your average dinner for four. Apéro had been served. Dinner was in the oven. The table was set. Two wines were open and ready. But this wasn’t an average dinner. And we certainly didn’t have average wines. In fact we – Susan, Towny, Mark, and I – had two highly rated, 100% Syrah... [...]

May 28, 2018 4

An International Blind Tasting in Lodi California included Rhône Valley and Provence wines

I recently participated in a fascinating international blind tasting in Lodi, California. Four flights of four wines predominantly composed of four different grape varieties were included: Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, and Mourvèdre.

The tasting was not intended to determine the best wine in each flight but, rather, to compare and contrast the wines in order to... [...]

May 5, 2018 6

Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food
The Luck of the Draw

I’m a typical Virgo. I am very particular about things - from the color of my socks, to the route I drive to and from work. I would say that I am deliberate, especially when it comes to food and wine. I don’t do potlucks; I don’t believe there should be any “luck” in a meal, or with its accompanying... [...]

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