What do you drink when you’re out and just grabbing a glass? Everyone has their go-to’s. I know people who don’t even look at the wine list and just order “Pinot Noir” or “Sauvignon Blanc” – something that drives me crazy and was part of the reason I started this whole blog. I know a … Continue reading
Here’s what I thought about Gigondas before last night: an area in the Rhone that’s a cheap alternative to Chateauneuf du Pape (which is southwest of it, and one of my fave wine areas in the world). Here’s what I think about Gigondas now: YUM! And: more please. Went to a dinner at the amazing … Continue reading
They say that 80% of what you taste comes through what you’re smelling. I often smell a wine more than I taste it (at least at first) to get as much from the wine just through smell – I love picking out what fruit I’m smelling, how much and what kind of earth and mineral … Continue reading
Happy weekend, grapefriends! Drink well out there. follow @grapefriend on Twitter for more grapey fun Continue reading
Fall flavors are in full swing. I was craving squash, as you do this time of year, and found this recipe which was SO FREAKING GOOD. Trust me, just make it. And pair it with this yummy Anaba Chardonnay. I’m not normally the biggest fan of full-bodied California Chards, but damn this was perfect with this dish … Continue reading
One last post about Argentina wines (which makes me sad), and the family that has elevated it to a new place. On the last day of our whole trip, we landed in Buenos Aires and went straight to lunch where were greeted to the city by Nicolas Catena and his wife Elena. That’s basically like … Continue reading
Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Champagne is amazing. Match it with the incomparable food at Le Bernardin and it’s just complete insanity. We started out with some 2002 Blanc de Blancs (made only with Chardonnay grapes). This is only the fourth time they’ve ever even made a vintage Blanc de Blancs. Most people go crazy for BdB’s, … Continue reading
Wine tasting is exhausting work. Just look at us. This was at Ernesto Catena, this amazing vineyard in the Uco Valley in Mendoza. All we wanted to do was stay in these hammocks, sparkling Malbec in hand, and doze off into siesta land. Alas, we had lots to do! First up, lunch. We devoured these … Continue reading
1 duck, duck, grapes The guy and his son who own Renacer are both named Patricio but their nickname is Pato which means Duck. Obviously, they gotta have some ducks at the winery then. 2 they make an amarone style wine in argentina Renacer’s Amarone-style wine is called Enamore (a near-anagram for Amarone). Amarone is from … Continue reading
Touring Catena’s Adrianna Vineyard was awesome. They showed us the different soils that make two of their Chardonnay’s. One is called White Stones because there are tons of white stones in it (easy enough…); the other is called white bones because sea animals used to live in it and their shells (“bones”) now feed the … Continue reading
