Truth be told, Italian wines confuse me the way French wines confuse most. Barolo, Barbararesco, Montepulciano, Ripasso – lots of Os that always left me feeling like “Oh No, I don’t get it!”
It was with some trepidation, then, that I opened a bottle of Primitivo, not really knowing what to expect. It was one of […]
“A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine.”
No wonder that it was a Frenchman who is credited with declaring this obvious truth. One could argue that the Italians are equally obsessed with wine and food, and that, yes, it’s a universal thing (it is!). But I’m partial to the French, so Brillat-Savarin’s quote […]
It’s apple season, and that means apple pie.
I started thinking about all the possibilities for pairings with this most American of desserts. So many wines came to mind that I realized there’s no “right” answer when it comes down to it, and the anticipation is part of the pleasure.
Riesling, though, is a stand-out choice. It’s […]
It’s the end of another month. A time for reflection on a season past and the colder months to come. In this mood, I came across a passage from the critic Terry Theise’s book, Reading Between the Wines that I wanted to share for your enjoyment.
“Wine is like a shy dog. Lunge for it and […]
If you’ve never been to Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, in nearby Orange County, NY, put it on your itinerary for this fall. Not only are the wines well worth the visit, but the winery is steeped in history. Yes, America’s Oldest Winery is indeed right here in […]
Fall festivals are everywhere, and that means apples!
If you’re looking to pair a wine with an apple pie or crisp, consider something that will complement the sweetness and the slight tartness of the dessert. A semi-dry Riesling is a great choice.
The Finger Lakes are famous for making great wines from that grape, so go local […]
I’m caught up in the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and the onset of fall, and I need a BIG red wine.
Something deep. Something dark. Something soothing. Something velvety.
There’s nothing more appropriate than The Prisoner Cabernet Sauvignon from California’s Napa Valley.
From the moment it hits the glass you’re in deep, with […]
Our trip to France was planned for late March 2020. My younger brother, Michael, and I needed to get over to see our mother in the Maison de Retraite that she had been transported to the previous December because her cognitive deterioration made it impossible for her to live […]
Summer is still here, and there is nothing like a crisp, cold, white wine at the end of a sunny day to keep the warm-weather vibes alive.
I had a wine last night that hit every positive note when I paired it with steamers and soft-shelled crabs bought from a fish vendor at the farmer’s market. […]
In case you missed National Pinot Noir Day on August 18, the weekend is a great time to get caught up.
Pinot is a cool-climate red wine grape that produces medium-bodied, vibrant wines with bright fruit notes on the finish. They pair well with almost everything as they’re light enough to be enjoyed with fish but […]