Anyone who is enthusiastic about American history might want to take a drive into Virginia in the next few days. They’ll be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the civil war throughout June and July. Independence Day will not be forgotten either. Continue reading
Mixology is the word bartenders have given to the science of mixing cocktails, martinis, and other drinks. It’s not just about memorizing how to make a Bloody Mary, either. Their professional challenge is to go beyond the expected and create original cocktails (and give them names.) Continue reading
You can’t call anything sold on a U.S. wine rack ‘Champagne’ unless it was imported from the region of that name in France (any variety made elsewhere but in the same style is known as ‘methode traditionelle’). One can, however, name a building ‘Champagne House’, which is just what Crown Valley Winery named its home for sparkling wines. Continue reading
One of the biggest days on the U.S. calendar is coming-up and it would be remiss of me to let it pass without any kind of mention. Of course, I’m talking about the 4th of July. Continue reading
What do you get when you cross two cool-climate whites in one bottle? You get a refreshing drink at a reasonable price if you are looking at the Trove Riesling-Gewurztraminer. Continue reading
The latest gourmet inspiration to cross our path is Complete Book of Thai Cooking by Linda Stephen. Like the Townsin’s WineFeast it wins points at our house for being user-friendly. Recipes are short and easy. Exotic ingredients are explained and substitutes offered. Continue reading
After a few years of suggesting get-togethers and organizing events, I seem to have developed an unlikely reputation. I’m talking about the kind people can mention to my face, as an event co-ordinator of sorts. Continue reading
When you type ‘Wine California’ into a search engine, a lot of hits come from those two words. Narrow down your search to include ‘events’ or ‘tasting’, and the prospect becomes more manageable. The web is a great tool when used carefully. Continue reading
My younger daughter’s teacher loves chocolate. She’s skinny, just tiny, but this lady managed to eat several kilos of the stuff over Christmas without looking any chubbier when she returned in January. I’m glad she’s blunt about her love of chocolate, since this means we all know what to get her when the kids leave for summer vacation.
If you liked the cocktail recipes I’ve been posting regularly, it might have occurred to you that there is a lot of work and shopping involved in making fancy drinks. That’s why some people like to buy them ready-made.