It’s that time of year when everyone hits me up to ask what they should get people as gifts. Here are my go-to categories. Champagne In the $50 price range, you can’t go wrong with Champagne. I love G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon for its Christmas-y green and red-ribbon bottle. Cabernet Always a safe choice, and people will love …
With COP26 underway, it’s a great time to take a look at some of the cool sustainability initiatives happening in the wine industry all over the world. Regional Regulations: In the Médoc, producers are working to make sustainability and biodiversity practices mandatory in their AOC regulations which would involve practices like reducing pesticides, preserving biodiversity, and managing the region’s carbon footprint. Sustainable farming helps …
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 …
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 …
Now that we’ve gone through what wines to give everyone, we’ve got some other gifts to cover. If you know the person in your life has plenty of wine but still wants to celebrate how great it is being a grapefriend, these are the gifts for them. Blue Quail wreaths: The McFadden family grows herbs to … Continue reading
You might see a lot of people recommending Riesling for Thanksgiving, and here’s why: it’s incredibly versatile. The sugar balances out acid, but if you don’t prefer the sweeter styles try ones from Alsace which tend to be on the dry side. Try a very typical style, Amélie & Charles Sparr Sentiment Riesling ($25) is very zesty and crisp. The label on the Laurent … Continue reading
Normally I drink my scotch neat (or with a small ice cube), and am dubious of adding anything that would dilute or spoil the taste. But scotch cocktails are handy when you want to stretch your drink and not have so much alcohol, plus they can be very refreshing pre-dinner. I recently tried a few mixers with Speyburn … Continue reading
I hope you’re watching Succession! Roman’s constant barbs are as delicious as wine. One thing I notice a lot is that no matter how rich people might be (and ok, granted they’re actors but even on reality shows) they don’t ever seem to hold wine glasses properly by the stem. The Roy family are all … Continue reading
We actually have all Values this month, because even though one of the recommendations is over $40 it’s such a great red that it’s really a steal. Villa Wolf Sekt: Absolutely delightful light-strawberry Pinot Noir sekt from the Pfalz region in Germany. (Sekt is what they call sparkling wine in Germany and Austria). $17 Erbaluce: Had … Continue reading
Love me some Aperol spritz, but every once in a while you need an alternative and the Hugo fits the bill on hot summer days. Invented in 2005 in Northern Italy, it’s light and floral with lots of effervescence from the Prosecco bubbles. And, super simple to make! 1 ounce Elderflower syrup or liqueur like St. Germain … Continue reading
In the non-stop flow of pink, here are five faves for the month! 1 Olga Raffault: Stunning rosé from Chinon, full of minerality, strawberry, and the slightest touch of funk to give it complexity. Had this at Clay, or you can also get here for $16.99 2 Gerard Bertrand Cote Des Roses: Light and refreshing, reminded me of a … Continue reading
So many good ones this month. values Tussock Jumper Chenin Blanc: I go back and forth on Chenin and I think it’s just a matter of finding a good one. This one has great waxy white melon, piquant lemon and unripe pineapple and is only $11.99! Saget La Perriere “Marie de Beauregard” Cab Franc: Such a great … Continue reading
Summer nights are perfect for a quick-grilled white fish with just a spritz of fresh lemon, Italian parsley and capers. These crisp, light Italian whites are perfect pairings. Gavi: Digging the acacia and lemon spritz notes in Riva Leone Gavi ($14.99) and a fleshier apple Michele Chiarlo Rovereto ($16.99). Falanghina: This is more of a deep yellow wine, with a hint of herbs … Continue reading
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
grapefriend 