Tag: France
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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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Have a Sparkling Valentine’s Day for Under $20
Those who love sparkling wines like myself are constantly trying to convince the masses that a special occasion is not needed to enjoy a glass of bubbles. However, based on sales figures, sparkling wine sales typically increase around a special occasion or holiday event. So if you won’t take my advice and embrace the notion…
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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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#Food & #Wine Pairing: Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône
The Roaring 20’s was a time of social, artistic, and cultural dynamism. The US, Canada, and Western Europe were on an economic high. WWI had ended and hyper-nationalism swept the west. France referred to this period as “années folles” or crazy years. Jazz music had awakened a festive atmosphere, igniting the joys of flapper dancing…
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Welcoming Winter with Côtes de Bordeaux
Darkness falls across the land on the longest day of year. An astronomical phenomenon in the Northern Hemisphere where the earth’s tilt on its axis is at the farthest point from the sun and the sun’s daily maximum elevation is at its lowest is known as the Winter or December Solstice. In truth the solstice…
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How About Some French Fizz this Holiday Season?
Bubbles are perfect any day or any time of year; however, there is something about the holiday season that demands them. Sparkling wine is a perfect aperitif to get the party started, a great accompaniment to most any cuisine, and a refreshing way to end an evening. Furthermore, December is International Champagne month.
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Beaujolais: Ah, To Be Young, Wild, & Free
One of the wine world’s most celebrated events is Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé! I remember just a few weeks after last year’s Paris attacks the Beaujolais Nouveau wine makers driving through Paris in convertibles celebrating the release of the 2015 vintage, bringing joy, hope, and a sense of normalcy to Paris and the world.…
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Exploring the Passion of Burgundy
I am often asked what is my favorite wine. Favorite? The world of wine is so vast it is next to impossible for me to select one. That being said I do have a desert island wine, the one I would select if I could only have one wine for the rest of my life.…
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Totally Digging the Jurassic World of #Wine
The world of wine is vast. In fact, it is literally global. Many wine drinkers play it safe; rarely veering off the course of “known,” “safe” wines. This month our French Winophiles group is veering. You may ask how can one veer off the safe, known path in France. Bordeaux, Burgundy, Provence, Champagne, Rhone Valley;…
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A Week in Provence
My first encounter with Provence was in Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence, a quirky account of he and his wife’s joyful escape from the hustle and bustle life in London to the serenity of Provence. I read that book at least twenty years ago, and for twenty years I have dreamed of my own…
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