Category: #Winophiles
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Maison M. Chapoutier: Expressing Terroir Through Biodynamics
“Anyone who creates wines must be generous and festive. Without such qualities the creative act is doomed, sterile and vain.” Michel Chapoutier I just returned from a remarkable week in Chile. The focus of the week was terroir: climate, weather, soil. In the Rhone Valley Michel Chapoutier is the benchmark for terroir driven wines. Embracing…
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Celebrate La Saint-Valentin with French #Wine
Joyeuse Saint Valentin! In France, Valentine’s Day is for lovers. Like in the US, the French celebrate love with chocolate, roses, jewelry, etc. However, unlike in the US there is no exchange of cards among school children or friends; Valentine’s Day is reserved for lovers. I want Valentine’s Day to be for lovers in France.…
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Spending January in Languedoc Drinking Wine & Eating Cassoulet
Last fall the French Winophiles explored France’s largest wine region, Languedoc-Roussillon. This region lies on the coast of the South of France along the Mediterranean Sea. It is home to a tapestry of soils, varied elevations, largely a Mediterranean climate with some Atlantic influence in the western region, and a wide array of wild scrub…
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Revealing Roussillon’s Sweeter Side
How often do you enjoy dessert wine? I hope you said frequently. If not, the holidays are the perfect time to welcome this habit into your life. A prominent wine and food pairing rule of thumb is a wine should always be sweeter than the food pairing. When this rule is not followed both the…
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Exploring Cru Beaujolais with #Winophiles
November means Beaujolais. For many when hearing Beaujolais the mind immediately thinks Beaujolais Nouveau. Did you know there are actually three different styles of Beaujolias? Nouveau is released with much fanfare across the globe. It is a fun wine meant to be opened upon purchased and consumed. Beaujolais Villages are offer slightly more depth and…
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Say Yes to Languedoc Wine
According to Karen MacNeil, Languedoc is the land of yes. This could be because the name is derived from a group of languages and dialects spoken in the south of France during the Middle Ages known as “langue d’oc,” oc meaning “yes” in the Occitan language of southern France. Languedoc could also be the land…
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A Journey Through Burgundy, Part 1 Chablis and Côte d’Or
When it comes to Burgundy I am at a loss for words. It is the source of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the world and home to one of the world’s most expensive wine. I love to drink red Burgundy more than I love to drink anything else. Yet, I have never been…
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Do Empanadas Bordeaux?
Rhett and Link, of Good Mythical Morning, entertain us by asking crazy questions. For example, they dive into the world of smores, choosing various food items such as pizza, liver, and sardines to explore how they pair with chocolate and marshmallows to determine whether or not the alternative food items will “smore.” In the spirit…
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Corsican Wine: A Metamorphosis of Island Culture
Corsica is a mountainous island in the Mediterranean just north of Sardinia, west of Italy and south east of France. Corsica has been a pawn in the game of war for centuries. Corsica is best known as the birth place and early childhood home of Napoleon Bonaparte; however, as the wines produced on Corsica are…
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Peeking Into the Secret World of Savoie Wines
Savoie, France is best known for fantastic skiing and breathtaking views. Boarded on the east by Switzerland and Italy, Savoie is home to the French Alps and its most notable mountain, Mont Blanc. It is home to ski chalets, cheese, and local wines. Until recently the wines of Savoie have lacked international recognition; however, the…
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