Books are strange things. In the 21st century, they're curiously out of whack with our demands for immediacy, and fast being replaced by digital equivalents in many settings. Yet they carry a certain gravitas about them, perhaps due to their permanence or even their physical weight - not to mention
I'm starting to believe Nicolas Palazzi is a magician. He is constantly coming up with brilliant new spirits, and every single one of them meets or leaps over the bar he keeps setting higher and higher. Mic Drop Straight Bourbon Whiskey is an eight year old bourbon that drinks far
Had a great experience with Mionetto Prosecco the other night, at the book launch for my friend Barbara Lynn Davis’ new novel Casanova’s Secret Wife. As some may know, Casanova (who actually was a real person) spent a good deal of his enthusiastically-lived life in Venice and the Veneto region
Joel Peterson. Brice Jones. Richard Arrowood. Not so long ago, these three men were among the most-recognized winegrowers in Sonoma County, and all three can still draw a crowd whenever they pour wine. It has been years, however, since Peterson was in full cry at Ravenswood, demanding “No Wimpy Wines,”
An easy summer wine: mineral with a touch of lime and apricot. A hint of fruit-sweetness on the palate but with grapefruit around the edges. Flavors round out a bit as it warms in the glass; also good the next day! A finish of apricot skin and lime. Screwcap: take
If one asks an Italian their favorite summer dish, quite probably the answer will be tuna and tomatoes. Or pasta and tuna. Or simply tuna in a salad with fresh corn. Anyway, it’s tuna! In 2016, Italians consumed more than 150,000 tons of the canned fish, at a value of
An absolutely gorgeous bottle of wine. The mouth-feel is round and soft. Baked apple, pears, buttered toast and white flowers are redolent on the nose and on the palate. Full-bodied and round with a perfect acid counter-point, this is a marvelous food wine. Drink with crab cakes with a good
Have you tried them yet? DIY Vermouth Researching vermouth for my next book, I found not only a groundswell of popularity for artisanal versions, but also a whole DIY vermouth movement. Not so suprising, I guess, considering the current trend of make-your own cocktails. But I was somewhat startled to