Yearly Archives: 2013
2012 Raisins Gaulois: Just Add an Ice Bucket
What, red wine in the summer? From the rosé freak? Yes, when it’s the 2012 Raisins Gaulois. Created in Beaujolais at the legendary Domaine Marcel Lapierre, it’s a light and lively red wine that is a perfect partner for an ice bucket. I’m not saying cool it down to arctic temperatures, but with a nice [More]
Wine Anxiety, Anti-Juiciness, and Wanton Vintage Disregard
I wouldn’t characterize my friend Amy Pennington as having wine anxiety. First of all, I’m no doctor/sommelier; it’s probably illegal for me to make such a diagnosis. But she certainly is able to articulate questions and concerns that enthusiastic, regular wine drinkers have when they are confronted with miles of shelves crammed with wine. Which [More]
Wine on Airlines II: Sparkling Wine Not Bringing Me Down
I previously had a fine experience when it came to wine on airlines, courtesy of a cheerful glass of a French Vermentino as well as a sparkling wine, Henkell Trocken, on Lufthansa. (Details with a side of Will Ferrell and Graham Greene.) And now, armed with the knowledge to ask for sparkling wine if I [More]
Gluten-Free Cheese Straws and Sparkling Rosé Forever
I’m not sure I should have titled this post “Gluten-Free Cheese Straws and Sparkling Rosé Forever.” Really, it was just the “Gluten-Free” part I was concerned with. Because these cheese straws and cheese crackers are so good that there’s no need to compartmentalize them. Good food is good food, period. They just happen to be [More]
What Is Madeira? A Sweet Wine Like No Other
If you want to know the answer to the question, “What is Madeira?”, who better to ask than the Chris Blandy, CEO of the Madeira Wine Company? Chris previously helped me understand why Madeira was so popular in Colonial America. But he told me so much more that I had share the rest. So to [More]
Wine Tasting Events: I Reach My Threshold at 58 Wines
Though I’ve attended numerous (hundreds of) wine tasting events, I still find they can be punishing to you palate. And normally requires a recovery beer afterward, which, incidentally, will be one of the most delicious beers you will ever drink. But why is 58 my limit? Does the 59th wine send me over the edge? [More]
The Secret Lives of Baked Goods Lets You Have Your History and Eat It, Too
Receiving and reading a preview copy of The Secret Lives of Baked Goods: Sweet Stories & Recipes for America’s Favorite Desserts by Jessie Oleson Moore, creator of the ultra-sweet and magical CakeSpy.com, brought me back to my days as a graduate student at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Sure, while getting a M.A. in History, [More]
Underrated: Aprons and Beaujolais Blanc
Hand me an apron and a glass of Beaujolais Blanc! Aren’t you looking for a Chardonnay made in a refreshing, non-outrageous style? While on a trip sponsored by Wines of France, with a three-night stop in Beaujolais, I was a little surprised that the first two out of three wines I enjoyed from this storied [More]
