Marika Vida used to spotlight excellent female winemakers with these great dinners when she was the wine director at the Ritz, and she’s now doing a SOMM Series to continue the tradition. And what a revival last week, with an all-Taittinger dinner with Vitalie Taittinger, who recently took over as President of her family’s Champagne … Continue reading
I haven’t had many wines from Switzerland, and with good reason: The whole country only produces about 150 million bottles a year (for context, Mondavi and Yellowtail produce about as much each). Out of that, only about 2% is exported outside of Switzerland, and mostly to nearby Germany. Made at high altitudes, Alpine wines are crisp … Continue reading
It’s time again for that mishmash of holiday foods all on one table. I always drink American, so here are some basic styles that will be able to flex across all your flavors. Starting with bubbles, try Domaine Carneros Late Disgorged Brut ($58). Aged for six years on the lees in the bottle, it has a bit more complexity and … Continue reading
I’ve been drinking a lot of bubbly lately. Not only is it refreshing in hot weather, but it tends to be a little lower in alcohol. We all know Champagne from France and Prosecco from Italy, but given how much sparkling wine I’ve been popping I decided to try some from lesser-known places—and was quite … Continue reading
In honor of Gallo striking a partnership with the NFL which furthers my ongoing crusade to get wine and football watching happening, let’s compare some QB styles to different styles of Pinot Noir. Tom Brady: Burgundy. The king of Pinot regions—ultra refined, silky and often mind blowing. Sounds like the GOAT to me. Start with 2019 Domaine Joseph Roty Gevrey-Chambertin 1er … Continue reading
It’s now full-on summer and I’m sure you’re ready for major rosé time. I’ve already clocked a decent amount, so let the recommendations begin! 1 Made from Grenache, Consult and Syrah, Berne Inspiration ($21) is really light and a perfect Provençal-style rosé. They’re even running a contest to win a trip for 2 to Provence (enter here and bring me if … Continue reading
Summer is juuuust around the corner and we’re all getting ready for some major rosé time, right? Start with this absolutely delicious crémant (sparkling wine’s best value ever). Gratien & Meyer’s has deep wild strawberry notes form the 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Chenin Blanc blend and is only $19 here. Want to … Continue reading
As we finally start getting some signs of spring, one of my favorite things to pop is a light red you can chill. Here are two great ones: Argiolas Perdera 2019: a super pretty wine from Sardinia made from 100% Monica grapes, $15 Jean-Baptiste Adam Pinot Noir: I think we all know how I feel about Alsatian Pinot … Continue reading
Hotel California might not have had wine since 1969, but they have rosé Champagne. These sparkling pinks from the Champagne region get their color from the skins of the red grapes, which in Champagnes are Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. They also usually cost more than their non-rosé counterparts (starting around $50/60 and heading up to … 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
