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Fearless Pioneering Pennsylvania Winegrower, Doug Moorhead, Passes

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 […]

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A Secret to Quality and Value? Top Notch Bourgogne-Passetoutgrains!

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

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Tantalizing, Affordable French Moselle Pinot Noir? It’s here!

In world of wine, German Rieslings from the Mosel River’s steep, slate slopes enjoy well-earned fame. But mention France’s Moselle A.O.C. winegrowing appellation, and even ardent French wine fans draw a blank. Not to worry. Thanks to dedicated work from modern day winegrowers such as Rémi Gauthier, Moselle A.O.C. wines slowly are gaining international recognition.

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Italian-American Gastronomy Conversation Tackles Pivotal Questions on Food and Wine

Questions of authenticity, sustainability, and shared culture are crucial to enjoying and fully appreciating Italian-American gastronomy’s rich heritage. So it was a pleasure and honor to address these ideas on February 25, 2021 in a video panel discussion sponsored by the Associazione Gastronomie Profestionistti (“AGP”).  Sam Patti, founder of La Prima Espresso in Pittsburgh, and

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Delightful Southern Burgundy Surprise! Awesome Red Wines From the Mâconnais

In the search for quality and value with Burgundy red wines, keeping an open mind often brings pleasant surprises. Consider the red wines of talented winegrowers Céline and Laurent Tripoz from the southern Burgundy region of Mâconnais. Notwithstanding the Mâconnais’ reputation for offering seas of white wines, Céline and Laurent also produce three delicious and

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French Wines With Butternut Squash and Chestnut Soup: Da Bomb!

For my family, enjoying Butternut Squash and Chestnut Soup signals the start of Winter. As snow flurries fly, markets still offer fresh Butternut Squash and Chestnuts. So the time is right for making this delightful, warming soup. Its creamy, rich texture and earthy, savory flavors hit the spot especially when paired with versatile French white

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Can’t Miss Wine and Cheese Pairings From Alsace, Burgundy and Loire Valley.

Brisk but sunny afternoons make perfect moments to enjoy flavorful cheeses with zesty wines. Use the opportunities to discover distinctive parings to delight the taste buds. The following “can’t miss” cheese and wine combinations from Alsace, Burgundy and the Loire provide intriguing possibilities. ALSACE: MUNSTER CHEESE AND AUXERROIS WINE Autumn’s cool nights and sunny days

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Friends Sharing Tips on Good Reads and Good Wines

The Covid-19 pandemic has provided at least one saving grace: more time to drink delicious wines and to read good books. Since the “lock down” started, I’ve traded reading and drinking recommendations with lots of friends, My wine industry colleague and fellow Pittsburgh native, Jess Peters, made the terrific recommendation of reading Mark Whitaker’s “Smoketown: 

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