I’m always surprised when people don’t know that Oregon makes wine. And not only does it just make wine, it makes some of my favorite wine in the US. The Pinot Noirs are a balance between elegant, earthy Burgundies and heavily-fruity ones from Sonoma. But you also have delicious Pinot Noir-based rosés, lush and pear-flavored Pinot …
FOOTBALL IS BACK!!! And thus, our annual post about the best ballers who are JUST like wine. We’ve covered the QBs, the RBs, the WRs – now it’s time for those positions without initials: defensive players. Tough and aggressive, they’re the backbone and brawn of a team. Just like Cabernet! Cabernet is often used in a blend for …
I’m sure you heard about the earthquake that hit the small town of Amatrice in Italy. I’ve never been, but I’ve had their signature dish, pasta all’amatriciana. I’d never cooked it before, but there’s a movement for people to either cook it at home to raise awareness and funds for relief in the town, or …
Italy is by far my Happy Place. Not only am I 100% Italian, but it’s known for la dolce vita. That literally means the sweet life, and is basically just all about kicking’ it and enjoying life. Many an evening has been passed sipping an apertivo in a piazza, or eating the best [fill in …
IT’S FINALLY BACK!!! Let us re-commence the deviousness, the machinations, the goblets of wine, and the torturous moment every Sunday night when Game of Thrones ends, usually on a can-NOT-wait-a-week cliffhanger. So obsessed with this show and all the wine drinking they do, especially by the show’s biggest grapefriends, Tyrion and Cersei (the Lannisters clearly win …
If you don’t watch Vanderpump Rules, we likely would get into a fight about it. It’s near perfect brainless fun. Most shows on Bravo are (I watch 90% of them), but this one has a particularly brilliant and intoxicating brand of purposelessness. Hell, even the New York Times has validated our feelings. Centering around the staff …
It’s summer time, and that means getting invited to lots of fun things like BBQs, pool parties, and summer house weekends! Fun will be had and wine will be drunk, but you don’t want to show up to your host’s house empty handed. So this week we’re going to be giving some great grapey recommendations …
The world has seen their share of wine by the Real Housewives. Most of them are affordably priced and not amazing but some are decently drinkable for the value. Brandi Glanville is the latest to enter the grape scene, but the offering doesn’t get grapefriend’s approval. Not that I’ve even had yet (it’s out next …
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 …
For the past 25 years, Mouton Cadet has been the official wine supplier of the Cannes International Film Festival. They serve the wines all at events and official dinners during the Festival, as well as their own rooftop Mouton Cadet Wine Bar. Three limited edition varieties are made, though of course I think the rosé is the perfect sipper for … Continue reading
I often go to these great wine dinners at the Ritz called Phenomenal Femmes. They always feature a few wines made by a female winemaker, who comes to the dinner to talk about each of the wines we drink with incredible courses. Last week’s winery was Quintessa, an established winery in Napa whose winemaker is … Continue reading
Most people talk about the jokes. A subset talks about the menu. No one talks about the wine. Except for me! After doing some recon that would make the CIA proud (most people posted pics of the menu with the wines at the bottom CUT OFF – the horror!), I finally found out what wines … Continue reading
People might associate Spring Break with body shots and beer, but grapefriends know the real meaning: awesome spring wines to break open! So many good ones to sip on while we transition from vile winter to blissful summer. white pinot noir Oh yes, this exists and it’s so cool! And you’ve actually had it before … Continue reading
Roses are nice, but I’d be way more in love with anyone who gave me a bouquet of rosés instead. And these three all cheaper than a dozen roses! Win win win. Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Crémant is one of my favorite Champagne alternatives: just as good, more than half the cost. This all-Pinot Noir … Continue reading
As all grapefriends know, you drink WINE while watching the big game. Even the New York Times reported that “wine sales have been steadily growing faster than beer sales, especially around Super Bowl time, a reflection of the changing preferences of younger fans and an increase in women who watch the country’s biggest sporting event.” … Continue reading
Personal stylist. Personal driver. Personal chef. Many celebs partake of such luxuries. But personal mixologist? Now that is grapefriend-worthy. Justin Timberlake has proven his GF status with this one. As it’s his 35th birthday today, he got a special cocktail created just for him. It’s called The Three Five (I like it) and it of course … Continue reading
Hopefully you’ve had your fair share of fizz this holiday season. But if you haven’t, you’ve got one more night to unleash those corks from their cages and into your glass (and then continue for the next 364 days…) The conundrum of New Year’s Eve is always what to pop. Hanging with a small group? Definitely … Continue reading
For most people, Christmas is the big day and that’s when you have your feast. I don’t really know what they eat on Christmas Eve, but in our Italian family that’s our big night and we have the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes. In the past we didn’t always have seven, but in recent years we’ve revived … Continue reading
Happy Winter Solstice! The shortest day of the year means the longest night getting your grape on by the fire. Let’s get those heavy reds poppin! Cab, southern Rhones, Sicilian reds like Nero d’Avola, Monastrell from Toro. What’s your winter time fave? Continue reading
