I did a winter binge pairing post a while ago, where I included pairings for Ted Lasso, Tehran, and Losing Alice. Since then I’ve gone even deeper into Apple TV and just went on We Have Notes, the definitive podcast for the pop culture obsessed, to debate our favorite series (and tell the hilarious story of when we went …
We’re still spending more time at home, so still need our weekday affordable and our splurge wines to celebrate the bigger moments (even if that’s just now Saturday). values Achaval Ferrer Malbec: Muscular black plum and black pepper but with soft tannins as far as malbecs go. Great with homemade empanadas! $19.99 Ferzo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo: Can’t …
Oh yes, my grapefriends, it’s finally here! Today is officially spring, so let’s get some lively, fresh wines in your glass to celebrate. Viña Bujanda Viura 2019: This may be one of the most enjoyable Spanish whites I’ve ever had. Super lovely white florals and honeydew with a smooth finish, I was completely shocked it …
Not only is it a pandemic but it’s cold and storming out, so perfect time to dive into some great TV! Here’s what I’ve been bingeing and the best bottles to match their vibe. Ted Lasso: There is not one show that will make you happier. Sip a great winter white like Ferzo’s yellow apple …
Forget about getting through this pandemic winter, it’s an accomplishment just to get through a week. In the spirit of finding small ways to celebrate, I’ve been opening a bottle of Champagne every Friday night. We all deserve it, so try these: Pommery Brut rosé: This is all cheerful lightness, as Madame Pommery herself described …
On the Eve, we always do the Feast of the Seven Fishes. A few of the fish choices vary, but the star is always lobster and an octopus salad with lemon, green olives, and celery. You can go a couple ways with lobster, but we’ve always done white Burgundy which has a light touch on the fruit …
Have as much fun learning about wine as you do when you’re drinking it! We share what wines you should drink for each month’s biggest events, whether it’s for the Super Bowl or the super moon, the premiere of Stranger Things or the finale of Succession, Tuesday night values or Saturday night splurges. So sign …
Yum to the rum. Just got back from Negril, and when you’re in Jamaica that’s what you drink. My favorite rum cocktail was the Dirty Banana – super refreshing and you’ll never feel guilty if you have it very early in the morning because it’s basically a nutritious shake! So here’s the recipe for 2 cocktails: …
The grapefriend wine totes have arrived!!! They’re totes amazing (get it?), and not just because they hold wine. I lug a lot of wine around. A lot. To friends, to dinners, to events, away for the weekend. I was tired of trying to find bubble wrap or random pieces of cardboard (liquor store style) to stuff in …
The only thing that’ll save you during these heat waves is rosé. Here are this month’s fave five. 1 Lamberti Prosecco: Prosecco is now officially allowed to make a rosé style using Pinot Nero. This one isn’t only elegant, it’s a killer value at only $14. 2 Donum: At $50, this isn’t going to be your everyday deck quaffer … Continue reading
Unroll the picnic mat and pop a tab. July is national picnic month, no surprise there. But what may be surprising is that canned wine – which is so convenient to bring on a picnic – can actually be pretty good. I’ll caveat this with saying I sampled a ton of canned wine that was not good, … Continue reading
We all know the famous regions, but on this Bastille Day (July 14) let’s celebrate some lesser known regions in France. Camargue: Near Arles, the terroir here is sandy which helped them avoid the pest phylloxera which scourged most other regions. Pre-phylloxera Grenache vines. Try the salmon-tinted, peachy Pink Flamingo Gris Rosé. $14 Ventoux: East of the Rhône Valley, it gets some … Continue reading
We’ve been doing this for the past few months to celebrate the small things during Covid, namely just getting through another week. But now things are looking brighter and it’s officially summer, when every day is like a bubbly glass of goodness. So this will be our last month of Champagne Friday, but we’ll still … Continue reading
Paying a lot for wine glasses can be a contentious topic. The producers of these often very expensive glasses put a lot of research into the shape of the bowl and how it affects the nose and palate of wines. Usually these are crafted to bring out the characteristics for specific grapes, but wine writer Karen … Continue reading
On this Day of Dad, get the grill going and pop open great wines to go with. What I look for in a good grilling wine: structured reds with tannins that will hold up to the char, or hearty rosés that counterbalance the heat. Petite Sirah: This is all big and inky power, so I prefer when … Continue reading
We’re still recommending some great values and splurges for whatever summer needs arise at every price point! valuesJean Luc Colombo Les Abeilles: This white Côtes du Rhône (80% Clairette and 20% Roussanne) has notes of apple blossoms and tangy yellow apple. And for every bottle purchased, the Colombo family, life-long beekeepers and grape growers, makes a donation to the … Continue reading
Hello, National Rosé Day! Although we do drink pink all year round, let’s face it – there’s just more flowing once the weather gets warm. NRD is the second Saturday in June, but I’ll be recommending five of the best I’ve been sipping each month this summer. 1 Daou Discovery Rosé: This Grenache rosé from Paso Robles is … Continue reading
There are so many Chardonnays to explore beyond big oaky ones. I tasted around the globe for May 27’s Chardonnay Day and found some really interesting ones! Stellenbosch, South Africa: Tokara Reserve Chardonnay 2018White florals and pungent citrus notes. We had this with some Nigerian chicken and coconut rice – delicious! $26 Kosovo: Stone Castle 2018Owner Rrustem Gecaj left … Continue reading
Had no idea Angostura made rum in addition to their omnipresent bitters. Made in Trinidad, the 5-year-old Rum is a blend of light gold rums, aged for a minimum of 5 years in used bourbon oak barrels. It was great in this Queen’s Park Swizzle cocktail, which was created over 100 years ago at the … Continue reading
