From the monthly archives:

August 2009

A Taste of the Rhone Valley

by Marisa D'Vari31 August 2009
Thumbnail image for A Taste of the Rhone Valley

In these challenging economic times, most of us are only too happy to learn of exciting new regions that offer quality wines at a good value. Last Fall I was lucky enough to visit the Rhone valley in France and…

0 comments

Wine and Food Pairing at Restaurant Daniel with Sommelier Raj Vaidya and Executive Chef Jean-Francois Bruel

by Marisa D'Vari26 August 2009

Wine & Food Pairing at Restaurant Daniel with Sommelier Raj Vaidya and Executive Chef Jean-Francois Bruel Part 1 If the oldest question in the world is “what’s for dinner,” consider that the second oldest question may very well be “what…

1 comment

Pairing Food and Wine at Meadowood in the Napa Valley

by Marisa D'Vari20 August 2009
Thumbnail image for Pairing Food and Wine at Meadowood in the Napa Valley

Are you a jaded diner? In today’s power-packed culinary world, many people are lucky enough to visit four and five star restaurants as a matter of course. Twenty years ago, for example, dining at a top restaurant would be because…

0 comments

Pairing Brebirousse D’Argental with wine

by Marisa D'Vari15 August 2009
Thumbnail image for Pairing Brebirousse D’Argental with wine

. .. so if you have been to the Marketplace at Grand Central Station in NYC, you know there is a Murray’s cheese shop. The other day I spotted this rich, exotic looking cheese that was too enticing to pass…

0 comments

Wines for Summer Salads

by Marisa D'Vari13 August 2009

Now that summer is winding down, it’s time to enjoy an al fresco picnic in the park. I recently had the opportunity to taste two affordable California wines that would be perfect pairings with the elegant salads of summer. In…

0 comments

Tasting wine from Mac Murray Ranch

by Marisa D'Vari9 August 2009
Thumbnail image for Tasting wine from Mac Murray Ranch

Part 1: Tale of Two Pinot Noir One of the pleasures of those who love Pinot Noir is blind tasting various producers and deciding if they are Old World or New World, and then trying to pinpoint the producer’s exact…

0 comments

Pairing Chateau du Campuget Prestige Viognier at Cafe Boulud

by Marisa D'Vari8 August 2009
Thumbnail image for Pairing Chateau du Campuget Prestige Viognier at Cafe Boulud

… So did you ever wonder how wine got on a restaurant’s wine list? For many upper end restaurants, the wine list is one of the primary reasons customers come to dine at their establishment. Some very high end restaurants…

1 comment

Visiting Chianti Classico

by Marisa D'Vari8 August 2009
Thumbnail image for Visiting Chianti Classico

Once upon a time, wine from Chianti was associated with candles and straw wrapping. Savvy wine connoisseurs today know that the quality of wine from the Chianti region of Italy—and the specific D.O.C.G. region of Chianti Classico — has soared….

0 comments

Highlights from the Society of Wine Educators Conference

by Marisa D'Vari5 August 2009

… you may be interested to know that I spent the previous week in beautiful downtown Sacramento, taking yet more exams related to my CWE from the Society of Wine Educators and taking in the various seminars and tastings. This…

0 comments

Soave 101

by Marisa D'Vari3 August 2009
Thumbnail image for Soave 101

Okay, so you are planning a romantic dinner for two – or are inviting friends over for a fun evening. You want to pair each dish with a different wine, and one of them has to be crisp and refreshing….

0 comments