The relationship between tradition and innovation is not a linear one. Sometimes, it can even go full circle. Take appassimento, for instance, an Italian tradition of partially drying grapes before turning them into wine that is taking hold considerably in Canada’s Niagara region. The appassimento style of winemaking began in
Pssst. Here is a secret nobody will tell you: Nearly all of the holiday gift guides in magazines and online are the byproduct of a year’s worth of PR-related samples and press releases. They are less a stamp of careful editorial approval for readers and more of a year-end cleansing
Most octogenarians are content to sit in a rocking chair and maybe visit their grandchildren, but not Margrit Mondavi: “I just love to meet people and I love to remember my late husband Robert and tell people a little bit about what we do at the winery.” With a platinum
A restaurant without Merlot or Pinot Grigio. What are they thinking? “They” turns out to be Sandy Block, MW (Master of Wine) an experienced restaurant wine director for a classic eating establishment in Boston. I sat down for dinner with Block recently at the new Harborside location of the Legal
In the wake of the tragedy that was Hurricane Katrina, devastating large parts of New Orleans, the odd became almost commonplace. Watching houses and cars caught up in the flood was horrifying, but in a city famed for food and drink, the sight of barrels floating down Frenchman Street, in
The nose has rich dark fruits and with a light floral background of violet. The palate has dark plums, elderberry, pencil lead, and violets. Tobacco leaf shows up on the mid-palate. Tannins are very fine. The overall impression is of smooth layers of dark depth. The finish is sweet and
While the airplane is taxiing, or during take-off and landing, I have to turn off the electronic devices. Sometimes I remember to bring a book, but other times that means I have to look in the seat-pocket for entertainment. If the crossword puzzles and Sodoku are done (dear airline, please
Challenged with pairing wines this Thanksgiving? Though turkey day is regarded as a most traditional American holiday, increasingly it is celebrated in the U.K., and foodies flock to gastronomic restaurants with highly educated sommeliers that are increasingly attaining the Master Sommelier level. Turkey is a traditional main dish for Christmas