Last Thursday, precisely at one minute past midnight, thousands of barrels were festively breached with the traditional cry: Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé! Revelers across the globe gathered in bars and restaurants to celebrate the wine’s 60th anniversary. Before 1951, France didn’t allowed t
Muscadine is a type of grape mostly indigenous to the Southeastern United States but also found from Delaware down to Georgia and as far west as Texas. Not only do they grow best in humid climates within this region, their distillation into wine is exclusive to this area as well. The first European settlers in America were introduced to Muscadine by the Natives. Sir Walter Raleigh is considered the first in 1584 and the “Mother Vine” is still living today on Roanoke Island, North Carolina.
Also k
Some people like to bring a little comfort from home on vacation – like a pillow. Others want to know their TV shows will be available for them to watch while on vacation. Still others want to leave home behind altogether to learn all new things and broaden their horizons. This Wine Diva wants to bring her favorite wines with her on vacation AND learn about new exciting food and beverage combinations. Where did I do that? On a Holland America cruise to Alaska. Buckle up babe, this ain’t y
Who would know that there are still some wine regions and vintners in France that American’s don’t know enough about? I do now, and soon you will too. I got an intriguing email on a Monday evening asking if I’d like to come meet one of the most influential and visionary French vintners -- Gerard Bétrand – on his turf – in the South of France., and by the way would I like to attend his annual Jazz Festival while I was there? The catch was… I would need to drop everything and hop on a plane in 24
After discovering Chilean olive oils, piscos, fruits, wines and gourmet products at Puro Chile’s Feria Supermarket in Manhattan’s SoHo district, I was eager to participate in the current wine seminar there.
The event, hosted by Mauricio Banchieri Carter, CEO of Puro Chile, was held on July 7th and was the beginning of monthly tastings of wines exclusively from Chile. Vicente Pina, certified wine educator and consultant for the Vin de Vin Wine Tasting & Collecting, opened the seminar by announci
So what do you get when you take a handful of diverse people like chefs, photographers, investment bankers, hippies, actors, financiers, studio drummers, brew masters, wine importers, engineers, developers, and an attorney-- place them on land in the gnarly limestone hills west of Paso Robles… and let each one craft their own unique vision of the perfect wine experience? Well, in short, you get the Far Out Wineries group, and it is my recommendation you start planning your trip now.
When I fi
A specific set of foods and their attendant rituals are inextricably linked to Passover. Like eating matza (unleavened bread), maror (bitter herbs), charoset (a sweet mixture of apples, honey, & nuts) and the requisite 4 cups of wine after toasting to L’Chaim (life). Did you know that there are now some delicious Kosher wines on the market that can do a religious observance of this magnitude some justice?
I recently tasted 2 bottles from South Africa’s Backsberg Estate Cellars. Established by a f
Nova Scotia is so much more than I expected. It’s a delight to the senses, a city that speaks to the soul. I went there to learn about the wines, and came home with a wider appreciation of their
dynamic and intriguing mix of heritage and culinary mastery. It’s such an easy trip to get there, you should definitely think about adding it to your “must travel to” list. I am glad I did.
Flying into Halifax to start my seven-day trip with seven other writers was easy. The airport is small and easy to n
You have to love a wine tasting adventure that is nestled between a national forest and the sparkly Pacific Ocean. A destination that doesn’t get the proper respect it deserves yet continues to strive to showcase its fine wineries, classic beach culture, and amazing culinary scene. When you can just hop in the car for a short drive from the LA, Inland Empire, or San Diego area, experience year round temps in the 70’s, and take an easy, breezy 2 -day break… what could possibly be keeping you back
I have a tale of two cities to share with you today. This is a tale of a city by the sea and at the same time a city that stretches into gentle foothills and rugged mountains. A city whose reputation is built on fine wines, culinary greatness, and adventure- based activities that range from the urban divine, to the salty ocean, to the rolling mountains. You might come for the Pinot as I did, but you’ll leave touched by the style and grace of a user-friendly community that is at the top of its ga
I have a tale of two cities to share with you. This is a tale of a city by the sea and at the same time a city that stretches into gentle foothills and rugged mountains. A city whose reputation is built on fine wines, culinary greatness, and adventure- based activities that range from the urban divine, to the salty ocean, to the rolling mountains. You might come for the Pinot as I did, but you’ll leave touched by the style and grace of a user-friendly community that is at the top of its game.
In
#SipIdaho
Move over potatoes, grapes are coming. Idaho’s state slogan was “famous potatoes”, it has evolved to “great potatoes, tasty destinations”; undoubtedly, at least in part, due to the wonderful wines being produced along the Snake River Valley. With a climate akin to the Columbia Valley in Washington State, and elevations similar to Spain’s Rioja region, Idaho produces primarily Bordeaux and Spanish varietals, with a smattering of German vines. While some wine was produced here as far
