Category: Wine & Spirits

In the center of Italy situated between Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, and Lazio, the pastoral rolling hills of Umbria quietly offer some of the greatest gourmet treats of Italy. Since the pre-Roman times when the ancient Etruscan civilization settled in modern-day Umbria, this region has been one of the great food and wine centers of Europe. […]

Beijing Duck is one of the shinning glories of Chinese cuisine. Few dishes attract such universal acclaim and passion from both Chinese gourmets and western connoisseurs. In my line of work, I often entertain internationally famous wine and food experts. When selecting a dish for a mixture of different people with discerning palates, I often […]

Few moments in life are more perfect than when a great steak meets the right Bordeaux red wine. The two are quite simply made for each other. Different cuts of steaks like different regions of Bordeaux have there own distinct characteristics, therefore red wines from some regions, or sub-appellations, of Bordeaux are best with certain […]

When Valentine’s Day is also the first day of the Year of the Tiger, how do we graciously combine the romance of Valentine’s Day with the necessary communal celebration of the Chinese New Year? One deliciously sweet solution is to enjoy chocolate and wine together. In the gourmet world, chocolate has long represented romance while […]

Wine loves around the world constantly search for the elusive combination of premium wines at reasonable prices. One problem with wines today is that once a region or producer achieves recognition and fame from the wine press and international competitions the prices of their wines tend to grow exponentially. In my numerous wine presentations, I […]

Integrating western wines into Chinese dining culture is a challenging yet often rewarding experience. Dim Sum is more than just a meal; it’s a communal and social event. More varied and interesting than the traditional western brunch which first became popular in the late 1800s, Dim Sum is one of the best ways to spend […]

In the west we are fond of making, then often breaking, resolutions for the New Year. The goal of the resolutions is to improve your life. With this in mind, I’d like to share with you my three wine resolutions for 2010 that hopefully will not only improve my wine life, but also be helpful […]

Far too often in China the words affordable and French wines have been mutually exclusive. It’s true that a visit to local hyper or super market will expose you to a plethora of inexpensive French wines from the famous regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, but the brutal truth is that many of these wines are […]

The cold January days and nights in Shanghai remind me of the bone-chilling winter seasons in New York. They also stimulate thoughts of red wines that warm the body, spirits and go beautifully with the foods that we eat in the winter. While there are numerous big, rich red wines that are suitable for the […]

With 2010 fast approaching I though it opportune to suggest the perfect drink to bring in the New Year. What else but Champagne! Made from one or more of three grapes, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, Champagne is one of the world’s greatest wines and unquestionably the greatest sparkling wine.