Category: Wine & Spirits

The Loire River runs through the heart of France and wines from this region have captured the hearts of wine lovers all around the world. In particular, the wines from the hillside vineyards around the village of Sancerre have the ability to seduce palates that desire white wines of purity and elegance. Sancerre white wines […]

Enjoying distinctive wines with special Christmas dishes is a wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas holiday. The wines you choose should bring out the best qualities of the foods you eat and enhance the overall experience. It would be great fun to enjoy some of the wines of Israel and Lebanon near where Jesus was […]

The end of 2010 is rapidly approaching so it’s always a good thing to reflect on and be thankful for the good things that happened over the course of the year. We wine people do the same thing with wines as we remember some of the wines that really surprised us and exceeded expectations. With […]

There’s a common misperception in the wine world that a darker and more full-bodied red wine is better than a lighter red wine. Nonsense. Some red wine grapes are naturally lighter in color and have thinner skins that result in lighter wines. A perfect example is a young Pinot Noir from Burgundy. While some premier […]

The first Thanksgiving celebration was held in 1621 when the settlers of Plymouth Colony celebrated their first harvest after a harsh winter of privations. By November 1621 half of the Mayflower’s 102 original passengers had died. Help from local Natives in cultivating corn, fishing and hunting meant the chances of surviving the coming winter were […]

As the temperature in Shanghai fall, I increasingly desire hearty and flavorful dishes accompanied by robust, rustic wines. It’s somewhat ironic that the region of Campania in southern Italy that doesn’t experience very cold weather has some great winter dishes and wines. Best of all you can experience delicious Campanian foods and wines here in […]

A writer once said long ago that once you leave home as a young adult you can never truly go home again as home is a place in time and spirit. While that may be true for me, it’s certainly not true for Francois Collard of Chateau Mourgues du Gres. He travels have taken him […]

We’re in the midst of the season for the famed Shanghai hairy crab also known as the Chinese mitten crab. Once a year the most discerning of shellfish lovers get the chance to savor these delectable crustaceans. Shaoxing rice wine is often enjoyed with the crabs, however the rice wine merely neutrally accompanies but doesn’t […]

The most important winemaking region in the Czech Republic is Southern Moravia where wines have been made since Roman times. The northern region of Bohemia also produces wines. Due to climate and tradition most wines are white wines made from muller-thurgau, gruner veltiner and other varieties associated with Germany. Well-known white and red wine varieties […]

When you can afford to drink Champagne – do it! The more you drink, the more you’ll love this bubbly nectar. Perhaps the only thing you won’t love is the cost. Good, inexpensive Champagne just doesn’t exist. So what are lovers of bubbles to do? My answer is Cava, the sparkling wine of Spain.