When it comes to New Zealand wine, you probably think about the punchy, tropical, zesty Sauvignon Blancs. Fair enough, since that’s 72% of their production. People there sometimes call it Savvy B which I thought was sort of funny, but then a winemaker told me to never cheapen it like that. I’d rather have my …
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: …
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 …
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 …
Forget about rosé of the week – this is a contender for rosé of the summer! Pratsch has been in the family for 8 generations in Hohenruppersdorf, Austria (population: 912!). Well, those 912 local people are very lucky. Made from Zweigelt grapes, which are native to Austria, this rosé has gorgeous brightness and perfect tart … Continue reading
This week’s fave rosé comes from Corsica, that French island near Italy I’ve always wanted to go to. Yves Leccia’s wines are apparently referred to as the Rolls Royce of Corsican wines. I haven’t had any of his others, but the rosé is on point! It’s made up of 20% Grenache, a common rosé grape, … Continue reading
I always think the best way to learn about wine and food pairings is to try more than one wine with a dish and see what goes better. It might not be the wine you like all by itself. But the beauty of having wine with food is that they both can make each other … Continue reading
Looking for a go-to summer rosé? This is a contender. With the usual Provençal grapes (50% Mourvèdre, 25% Cinsault, and 25% Grenache), you get that refreshing, easy-drinking, perfect accompaniment to light summer meals. We downed it with grilled shrimp on the deck and not one person was unhappy. That likely comes from the easy vibe … Continue reading
As far as California wine goes, Napa and Sonoma get most of the attention. The wines from those hot areas can get really saturated with fruit, so I actually always try to seek out California’s lesser known areas that have cooler climates. I love Pinots from Mendocino and white Rhône varietals from Paso Robles, but … Continue reading
Here’s the deal with pétillant naturel wine, or pet-nat as it’s called on the quick. All wine goes through fermentation and creates CO2 gas. Usually this burns off into the air, but in sparkling wines they cap it to keep the bubbles in the bottle. Pét-nat lets the natural yeast on the grapes kick off … Continue reading
For a winemaker who almost considered being a professional shooter, 25-year-old Mathilde Chapoutier clearly has good aim. Lots of Provençal rosé can be bland and boring, though usually refreshing on a sweltering day. But this one has all the refreshing, light qualities you’re looking for in summer, while still bringing some interesting fruit and minerality. … Continue reading
Ok, this is the exact opposite of the Provençal ones you’ve likely been mainlining all summer. Bold and full-bodied, this Lagrein-based rosato is perfect for food, especially something like these grilled peaches wrapped in prosciutto (a summer happy hour favorite). Cool fact: it’s made in a Benedictine monastery in the Italian Alps! I LOVE the … Continue reading
For our inaugural 2017 #RoséoftheWeek, we explore a lesser-used rosé grape and we’re rewarded. Nero d’Avola is pretty common in Sicily, so it’s not surprising Planeta gives it lots of space here. Their bright, savory rosé (about $15) is 50% Syrah, 50% Nero d’Avola and 100% great with sushi. Continue reading
It’s spring – finally!!! The grass is growing, and the Grüner is flowing! Or at least it should be. The grassy, white peppery white wine from Austria is my spring go-to. Here are three good bottles to grab! fred loimer lois 2015 Freshly cut, yo! This is where you can really get a handle on … Continue reading
