Drinking and enjoying the 2016 Domaine Paul Durdilly et Fils, Beaujolais “Les Grandes Coasses” this weekend—the delicious wine has juicy, pure red fruit, fine freshness and just a hint of ripe tannins in an otherwise soft, fruity finish. It shows that fine 2016 Beaujolais reds are available despite the incredibly difficult challenges that Mother Nature […]
Wine of the Weekend: 2016 Bojo Read More »
The holiday season offers the perfect opportunity to consider notable 2017 wine books as gifts—both for others and for yourself. Several fine choices stand out.
Notable Wine Books Make Terrific Gifts and Good Reading Read More »
Each year with France’s Northern Rhône red wines, critics and consumers alike heap accolades on the marvelous selections from Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage. Reds from the nearby appellation of Crozes-Hermitage which also rely on Syrah grapes go largely unheralded. So the wines often languish on retail shelves even with prices a third or less of their
Distinctive Crozes-Hermitage Reds With Quality, Personality and Value Read More »
With bumper crops of fully ripened tomatoes piled on kitchens counters, the annual quest for imaginative and delicious recipes begins anew. In “The Raw and The Cooked: Adventures of A Roving Gourmand” (Grove Press, 2001), the late poet, novelist and food-and-wine writer Jim Harrison (pictured above, 1937-2016) provides an innovative solution with a twist on
Among Burgundy’s many delicious wines, those from Chambolle-Musigny frequently offer the most alluring and enchanting delights especially in outstanding vintages. The best examples balance delicate, complex red fruit aromas and ripe, transparent flavors with uplifting freshness and silky, elegant tannins. Drinking and enjoying four terrific Chambolle wines at a recent lunch proved the point convincingly.
Cellar Tasting: Chambolle-Musigny’s Alluring, Enchanting Delights Read More »
Eighteenth century French philosopher Voltaire suggested “Il faut cultiver notre jardin”—“We must cultivate our garden”—even in the face of life’s complications and chaos. Burgundy winegrower Jean-Claude Rateau takes Voltaire’s advice to heart. Since graduating from Beaune’s Lycée Viticole in the late 1970’s, he has carefully cultivated his vineyards like a garden using organic and biodynamic
Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s in Burgundy’s Mâcon region, Frédéric Ménager dreamed of one day ripping guitar solos in a rock and roll band. His family had more immediate ideas.
At Restaurant La Pyramide in the northern Rhône city of Vienne, Chief Sommelier Baptiste Cavagna cuts a striking figure in a neat black suit, vest and tie. He walks the elegant, modern dining room with a smooth, highly professional air while confidently serving wines and talking affably with guests. But “off stage” outside of Chef
La Pyramide Sommelier Baptiste Cavagna Focuses On Fun, Imaginative Wine Pairings Read More »
Burgundy may be Pinot Noir’s spiritual home, but Alsace winegrowers’ palpable passion for Pinot Noir cannot be ignored. Leading winegrowers such as André Ostertag, Christian Beyer, Jean-Paul and Marie Zusslin, Maxime Barmès and Rémy Gresser embody the renewed dedication to producing high quality, delicious Pinot Noir wines worthy of international attention. Each grower offers an
Alsace Winegrowers’ Palpable Passion for World Class Pinot Noirs Read More »
Each Tuesday our little tasting group in Pittsburgh dreams of Burgundy by sharing wines over a modest lunch at a local bistro. For this week’s theme of Pommard, as usual we tasted the wines “blind” without foreknowledge of the producer, specific climat and vintage. The experience is always instructive and fun, and occasionally delightful with
Cellar Tasting: Leroy Delivers Delightful Moment at Burgundy Wine Lunch Read More »