Looking for fun, high-quality wines perfect for Spring (and early summer)? Then check out my latest article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Cheers!
Enjoy fun, high-quality wines at terrific prices for easy drinking! Read More »
Spouses Bénédicte Ruppert-Leroy and Emmanuel Leroy are dedicated biodynamic farmers and winegrowers, first and foremost. But since they live in the village of Essoyes in Champagne’s southernmost region of the Côte des Bar, their delicious wines happen to have tantalizing bubbles. Read Ruppert-Leroy’s full, fascinating story in my recent article in Glass of Bubbly. The
Ruppert-Leroy: Sensational, Vibrant Wines With Beautiful Bubbles! Read More »
It was a pleasure and honor to write this article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the late Irv Kotovsky and the auction at Christie’s of Irv’s spectacular wine cellars in both Pittsburgh and Paris. Thanks to Irv’s spouse, Cher Lynn Kotovsky for sharing your terrific memories about enjoying marvelous wines and food with Irv in
The late Irv Kotovsky’s Wines and Spirits Auction Extraordinaire at Christie’s Read More »
The quiet French village of Essoyes seems an unlikely place to discover some of Champagne’s most intriguing and delicious wines. Afterall Essoyes is over 100 miles from the epicenter of Reims, Champagne’s unofficial capital. And with just over 700 inhabitants, Essoyes is best known as Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s summer home. He painted memorable scenes on
Ruppert-Leroy’s Beautiful Sparkling Wines Spotlight Southern Champagne Read More »
In the village of Vosnse-Romanée, Bourgogne’s most famous vineyards of La Tâche and Romanée-Conti produce red wines with prices in the thousands, if not, tens of thousands of dollars per bottle. Few drinkers can afford to taste these wines. Fortunately, other delicious and affordable options readily exist literally from just nearby. Go west up a
Talented Duo Delivers Delicious, Affordable Red Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Read More »
It was tremendously sad to hear that British wine writer and former wine merchant, Clive Coates, MW, passed away on July 25, 2022 in Lyon, France. But in reading the sad news, I smiled just a little thinking of what Clive himself might have said about his death. Probably something to the effect of, “Yep,
Farewell, Clive Coates, MW, 1941-2022 Read More »
The widespread reopening of society creates a great opportunity once again to celebrate Bastille Day on July 14th. Rejoice in style by enjoying tempting French sparkling wines. The frothy bubbles and crisp, delicious flavors really capture both Bastille Day’s effusive, joyous spirit and the optimism of the reopening. BASTILLE DAY CELEBRATIONS Bastille Day—known in France
Spotlight Bastille Day And Reopening With Really Tempting French Bubbles Read More »
When it comes to southern Rhône red wines, the serene commune of Visan does not jump immediately to mind. The low profile exists in large part because Visan lies around 40 kilometers (i.e., 25 miles) northeast of the popular tourist stop of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Despite being tucked way, marvelous grape growing terroir prevails in Visan. Energetic
Energetic Visan Winegrowers Deliver Vibrant, Beautiful Reds Read More »
Growing Vitis vinifera grapes on Lake Erie’s frigid, often snow-swept shores requires fearlessness, patience, and imagination. Having a wry sense of humor helps, too. Erie winegrower Doug Moorhead (1943-2021), who passed away on June 10, 2021, embodied these qualities. He succeeded in producing outstanding table wines made from Vitis vinifera and French Hybrid grapes. All
Fearless Pioneering Pennsylvania Winegrower, Doug Moorhead, Passes Read More »
Within the dazzling diversity of Bourgogne red wines, discovering quality and value doesn’t have to be an insurmountable challenge. Easy-drinking gems are readily available at terrific prices. You just have to do a little digging with an open mind and palate. Consider, for example, high quality Bourgogne-Passetoutgrain red wines. GENERIC BOURGOGNE-PASSETOUTGRAINS Bourgogne-Passetoutgrains (pronounced “Boor–gawn–Pass–too–gran”) typically
A Secret to Quality and Value? Top Notch Bourgogne-Passetoutgrains! Read More »