I was in Cognac one hot summer day, trying to make conversation with a producer who spoke about as much English as I do French, and the situation was getting sticky in every way when he suddenly asked me whether I had been to Scotland. Yes, I had. Well, then,
I write a lot about natural wines, which leads to two frequent occurrences: 1. People rib and pigeon-hole from time to time. I take it with good grace, occasionally pointing out that my interests and drinking tastes go beyond funky smelling cloudy swamp-juice. 2. A need to defend the positive
This story is about the world's most pathetic wine grape. Its history is exaggerated. It was used for a few decades to play one role that is no longer needed, yet still people grow it – though even its proponents don't think it has much virtue. It reminds me of the
Brothers Vineyard is Rodney Strong's northernmost, and warmest, vineyard in Alexander Valley. The wine of opaque, with a deep, earthy nose. Black currant dominates, with sweet blueberry in the background. It is even darker on the palate, leading with elderberry and blackberry. Some black tar and tobacco add bitter to
“This has been a dream of mine for two years,” the Israeli consul confided to me a few nights ago. At this point I don’t know what you’re thinking, but it wasn’t a secret military mission we were talking about. It was wine. Of course. This slight-but-compact diplomat, dressed in
The Edinburgh Gin distillery is located in the west end of Edinburgh, where they make distinctive Gins int he land of Whisky. Edinburgh Gin The first, the 86 proof namesake, is a classic London Dry style with a twist of citrus. Juniper is clear on the nose. It is far
Some years ago, as a fun project, three young men decided to make wine while they were at university together. Today, their winery is legendary for its wines as well as its winemaking and viticultural practices in the Vittoria region of Sicily. The young men were Titta [Giambattista] Cilia, Giusto
This was our wine pairing for dinner the other night: linguini with seafood, braised greens on the side. Just enough flavor in the dishes to enhance this golden-tan sparkling wine. Over all, this is a light-feeling wine with a frothy mousse. Of course we were impatient and started sipping it