Monday, November 30, 2009
One of my best friends is planning a Californian spring wedding. The nuptials are set to take place on a bright sunny morning in a beautiful garden to be quickly followed by a champagne breakfast. My dilemma is not what to buy for a wedding gift but how to contribute to the wedding planning and [...]
Monday, November 30, 2009
I really love horses, whether riding them or simply watching them move. Heck, they can stand around and eat for all I care, so long as I can see, hear, and smell them. They remind me of the wild, unpredictable side of life, while at the same time showing me how even the wildest creature [...]
Monday, November 30, 2009
Not far from where I live there are three wineries hosting Christmas open houses next weekend. One of these is called Recline Ridge, and I am soooo going there. I had never tasted one of their wines before, although I had experienced an Ortega from another local winery; an enjoyable and clean-tasting white full of [...]
Monday, November 30, 2009
South American wines are proving to be good value these days. Often they are under-priced for their quality, which is good news for wine lovers. This is the closest I will get to the sunny southern Americas any time soon. Still, there is the whole merlot question hanging over my head: how do I [...]
Monday, November 30, 2009
Italian is such a romantic language. It has been a popular choice for opera because of the open vowel sounds at the ends of words which allow singers to fully open their throats and get the volume they need to project and emote. They are also a very open and friendly people, if the Italians [...]
Monday, November 30, 2009
There’s been a tremendous influx of business savvy professionals who’ve taken over wineries across this country as a second career. With expertise not only in the intricacies of wine making, these engineers, bankers, architects, and doctors are currently producing creative labels with great marketing power. It seems a sensible transition as these individuals have already [...]
Sunday, November 29, 2009
At an impromptu wine tasting the other day I was introduced to the Frei Brothers range of wines including their very distinctive Merlot. Having already learnt that Merlots are blending grapes, I knew the 2007 Dry Creek Merlot would be a mix of taste and scents and boy was I right. This has to be [...]
Sunday, November 29, 2009
My experience of merlot is varied: from solos that are so-so, to the warmth of high quality, full-bodied offerings, and even a merlot-malbec mix which I really enjoyed. I am not sure if merlot is a reliable gift yet or not. I have learned, however, that wine-making is a hard-won skill. As with any art, [...]
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The Sauvignon Blanc grape originates in the Bordeaux region of France but, over the last two centuries has exported to various wine growing regions around the world. New Zealands South Island is one of these regions and is where the 2008 Starborough calls home. This was my economical wine of choice for Turkey day and [...]
Saturday, November 28, 2009
It might be too late now to salvage your raging blood sugar levels after gorging on Thanksgiving goodies, though if you stalk the wine cellar with vinegar you might redeem yourself at the next meal. That is, by consuming the vinegar with your buttered rolls and pasta. What? You think it would be prudent to [...]
