Would you spend five years studying for an exam you only had a five percent chance of passing? If you’re trying to become a Master Sommelier, of which there are less than 200 in the world, you voice your dream with one word: “YES”. My guest on the Wine Without Worry podcast is Jason Wise, [More]
A Sweet Wine From Argentina Has Me Breathing Heavy
Ok, maybe it just wasn’t a remarkably intriguing sweet wine from Argentina that had me breathing heavy. It also could have been that I was in Aspen for a spell (courtesy of a trip sponsored by Terrazas de los Andes) and trying to acclimate to being at 7,908 feet. Luckily there was some oxygen provided for [More]
10 Fascinating Things I Learned at a Sherry Seminar
I have a truckload of learning to do when it comes to sherry. Thankfully, I had the pleasure of attending a recent-ish sherry seminar featuring a wide range of styles from one producer, Lustau. Presented by Drake McCarthy of Europvin, it had me madly scribbling notes. Like port, sherry is a fortified wine. And, additionally, [More]
Biodynamics, Voodoo in Your Glass, and Wineries for Aging Hipsters
Have you heard of biodynamics? It’s a holistic system of agriculture founded by the brilliant Ruldof Steiner that has taken a hold in the world of vineyard management and wine production. But it has its detractors who find it to be a lot of hooey. Emblematic of that sentiment is the biodyamic practice of burying [More]
Tater Tots and Gundlach Bundschu Chardonnay: A Mouthful
Look at the way the light hits these tater tots! As I poured myself a glass of Gundlach Bundschu Chardonnay (the 2011 hailing from California’s Sonoma Coast), graciously sent to me as a sample by the winery, I could not help but think of Caravaggio‘s famous work, “The Calling of Saint Matthew“. Though this image [More]
Is Port Wine on the Rise?
If you want to know a ton about Port and are a beginner when it comes to this legendary fortified wine, check out my interview on Foodista with Roy Hersh of the indispensable website, For The Love of Port. One additional question I had regarded Port’s popularity in relation to red and white wine: JF: [More]
The Bookery Cook Delivers Stimulating Art to Eat
Hey, are you familiar with the fantastic site The Bookery Cook? What? No?!? Well you are missing out, especially if you like art. And like to eat. In fact, that is the title of the new book from this noteworthy cookery blog: The Bookery Cook: Art to Eat. Recipes meet original illustrations by a cadre [More]
Mike Easton of Il Corvo Pasta: Vermouth Sipping and Vegetable Smacking
This damn fine mandoline work by Mike Easton of Il Corvo Pasta is almost as good as the mandolin playing on “Maggie May”. (Though I find “You Wear it Well” to be the superior song, but I digress). If you don’t have the pleasure of living in Seattle, you are missing out on Mike and [More]
