Crave an exotic island rarely seen by American eyes? My first venture to the Greek island of Santorini revealed neat white houses up the sort of steep hill that later earns pedestrians of either sex complimentary shout-outs about their well-exercised calf muscles. The trip also introduced the magic of the Santorini Vines. Unlike a vineyard [...]
Do you like Greek wines? I do … they come in a variety of styles and price points and pair well with a wide variety of food. Typically they are also a very good value for the money, especially when it comes to reserve wines where you can still get a 1997 red with [...]
“I want a wine that tastes like summer,” the chic woman tells the clerk at an upscale wine store. “Something that pairs well with grilled skewers of fresh shrimp and swordfish. What do you recommend?” If you were the clerk, what would you advise? A briny Muscadet? A buttery Chardonnay? Perhaps an exotic Albarino from [...]
When I was head of Deg.Com Communications in Boston, working with small companies to build buzz for their business, I often spoke at a variety of conventions ranging from the Institute of Management Consultants to Book Expo America to the National Speaker’s Association. No matter what the business I always suggested that media-hungry entrepreneurs begin [...]
baron The WSJ recently published an article titled: Luxury Wine Market Reels from Downturn which Dr. Vino brought to the attention of his wine community. You can see the entire thread on his blog — and the comments are quite interesting. Reading the comments, one gets the sense that Facebook and Twitter (FB/T) are basically [...]
View Full Album “Help! I need a hotel recommendation for the Northern Rhone!” I hadn’t planned on visiting the Northern Rhone, yet when I had a change of plans during a trip to Provence, I went to the Stephen Tanzer forum (International Wine Cellar) to get some helpful advice, along with eRobertParker.com. People on [...]
Chateau Prieuré-Lichine In March of 2010, several Master of Wine students – myself included – were invited to visit several prestigious Chateaux in Bordeaux. We were each assigned a Chateau to cover, and I had the good fortune of being able to write about Chateau Prieure-Lichine. Our Visit A gorgeous bright blue sky greeted [...]
… Grillo is a white grape from Sicily that red wine drinkers would love! Something about this strong-willed grape that pairs well with firm, white fleshed fish such as swordfish or chicken with exotic spices. Grilled fish (and chicken) is also difficult to pair with most delicate fish, so Grillo is a winner. Recently [...]
montefalco … Montefalco is both a town in Umbria, Italy and an area known for its DOCG (top quality level) wines as well as simple drinking wines. It is also the home of the Sangrantino grape, considered one of the most tannic varieties in the world with an almost-black center. The bouquet is one of [...]
Domaine de Clairefontaine is a charming restaurant and apparently luxurious hotel in the N. Rhone. We rushed here after a visit to E. Guigal, terrified we would miss the last seating and miss one of the last opportunities for a Michelin rated lunch as we had in Arles. The hotel is actually in the middle [...]
Rosé wine from Provence has been famous for thousands of years, yet many people do not realize that the whites and reds of Provence are refreshing and delicious, with many of the barrel-aged reds worthy of long-term aging. Though many people think of glitzy jet-set St. Tropez or touristy Marseilles when they think of Provence, [...]
“Welcome!” exclaims vivacious Remy Devictor (wearing stripes), who with his brother Oliver owns Domaine La Sangliere, just a stone’s throw from the beaches of St. Tropez. With much pride, he shows me around his winery, asking that I not take pictures of the empty spaces were the fermentation tanks once stood (“we’re getting brand new [...]
“Welcome to Domaine de Sulauze,” says handsome owner and winemaker Guillaume Lefevre, looking miraculously fair under the intense summer sun. We are standing outside our gites (room) for the evening, a gorgeously restored apartment with an expansive kitchen and newly remodeled bathrooms inside a structure several hundred years old. I am in Provence to [...]
“Welcome to Abbaye Saint Hilaire,” says fun loving,good-natured owner Philippe Burel, with his characteristic cheerful smile and little laugh. He greets us at the very long driveway of his estate, which includes a winery producing upwards of a half-million bottles of wine a year, 16 gites (a European word used to describe rooms outside [...]
“You must have some fresh Truffles on toast!” says attractive blond Valérie Rousselle-Riboud, looking very glamorous and jet-set in a chic white dress. We are sitting at a little table overlooking her enormous estate, sipping her top level Rosé wine (called Inspire) and eating the most incredible truffles I’ve ever had in my life. There [...]
Nathalie showing excellent wine review in Vin magazine “Welcome!” says Nathalie Vancoillie, a very tanned, toned, attractive woman with sun-streaked hair and an athletic build as she escorts us into her Chateau in Provence, a charming stone structure that dates from the 15th century. Most people think of Provence as St. Tropez, yet Nathalie [...]
