Take these tips as you get your grill on today! Happy 4th! Hamburgers: A Tempranillo-based Riojahas just enough spice to handle whatever you load your burger with. Look for Crianza on the label, which is a more casual style meant to be drunk younger. Anything with BBQ sauce: A spicy, jammy Zinfandel pairs super well with richly sweet … Continue reading
Author Archives: grapefriend
cocktail friend: to spritz or not to spritz
If you walk through a piazza at apertivo hour in Italy, it’s a sea of orange with this cocktail in seemingly every table. The trend has caught fire stateside too and has even sparked a fierce debate over if it’s good or if it sucks. Grapefriend has been drinking them for years since the slight … Continue reading
happy national rosé day!
Yep, it’s a thing. Just go with it and let the pink start popping! I’ll be doing a few amazing ones each month this summer to help you find your new favorite. Domaine Lafond: Tavel is the baller spot of rosé – it’s all they produce. Get this one with juicy raspberry laced with great … Continue reading
wine for the last watch
Now that we’re all heartbroken that the last episode of the series has aired, we get one more taste tonight as the documentary Game of Thrones: The Last Watch covers the making of the final season. Weep into your goblets filled with wine from the Amalfi Coast. White: Emilia Clarke (who plays Mother of Dragons … Continue reading
memorable wine for memorial day
Time to adjust your wardrobe and bring all the whites to the front of your wine closet. This summer, try on some Picpoul and not just because it has “pool” in its name. This white has tons of acidity (hence the name which means “lip stinger”) and citrus flavors. It’s from the Languedoc region (and … Continue reading
best bottles for chardonnay day
Happy Chardonnay Day! Everyone knows the big buttery Chardonnays, but there’s so much more to try from all around the world. Oregon is known for Pinot Noir, but their Chardonnay can be very unoaky and lovely. Try this Bergstrom, which is much more citrus than butter, $38. You can find some excellent values with almost any … Continue reading
the southern charm of bourbon
Ohhh I just love Southern Charm and the next season’s back on Bravo tonight! Pour yourself a glass of Gentry Bourbon, $53.99 here. It’s made by JD and of course our beloved but aimless Craig couldn’t manage to hold a job there for more than a season. Then click around on the site and wonder if … Continue reading
the mother of all bubbles
Happy mother’s day to all those out there. For the rest of us, our duty is to get them good presents. My mom loves Champagne, and I think that’s a great and deserving gift to celebrate any mom out there. The prettiest bottle is Perrier Jouet’s vintage Belle Epoque, but that’ll run you almost $200 … Continue reading
royal baby bottles
The royal baby might be ready for a bottle with a plastic tip, but everyone else is getting out quite a different kind of bottle. If they have any wine left over from Harry and Meghan’s wedding, then maybe they’ll pop open one of these to celebrate the latest wee royal! Champagne: One of the … Continue reading
classic pairing for easter lamb
Lamb is a classic main for Easter dinner, and for me the best pairing is a Bordeaux. Bordeaux wine is a blend of five grapes, usually with Merlot or Cabernet being the most predominant. You can find “Bordeaux-style blends” from anywhere in the world and they’ll be made from the same five grapes, but to … Continue reading
