American…Champagne? Sparkling Wine? Each week until the end of the year we’ll take a look at different types of sparkling wines -- Champagne included, of course -- so you’ll be able to make a great choice for your New Year’s Eve occasion. Rather than an exhaustive explanation of champagnes and
Thanksgiving is upon us, that glorious chaos of flavors that can defy even the savviest somm. Unless you sidestep the food issue and make it a mood pairing instead. Last year I felt traditional and drank like a Founding Mother: Madeira, sherry, cider, applejack, whiskey. Not all in one sitting.
It is that time of year, once again. You have probably muttered to yourself a few times and shared it out loud with your friends, “This year went by so fast!” This week marks the mad dash to Christmas. But before you start making shopping plans for black Friday, take
Thanksgiving strikes fear in just about every host. Preparing a giant bird is a herculean task. Cooking gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce is always more complicated than expected. Then there’s the anxiety of any family gathering — will politics or off-color jokes derail the dinner? Add wine to the list
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
Here in Oregon I’m surrounded by two things that make me happy during the holidays: excellent wine and an intense embrace of vegetarianism. While it’s definitely easy to have a meat-free diet in the Portland metro area, it might not-read more-
The weather has turned warm here in the Bay Area, and we're getting treated to our annual Indian Summer. This is one of my favorite times of year, when I can wear a t-shirt with no sweater, I can sit-read more-