From the Medieval hilltop town of Sancerre, we have an incredible view overlooking the Loire River. This is the ancestral homeland of antiquity’s powerful Gaullic Celtic tribe, the Bituriges, “The Kings of the World.” After their defeat at the hands of Julius Caesar, a temple was built on a nearby hillside in the Imperator’s (victorious…
Today I am joined by friend and fellow sommelier, Ivelisse Negroni. We are in the small historical town of Samur in the French region of Pays de la Loire. This area is renown for its chateaus and of course, their wine. From our patio table, we have a lovely view of the plaza square. We…
The Loire Valley has been producing wines ever since the Romans settled the region back in the 1st century. By the 5th century, Loire had flourished into a premier viticultural region whose wines were highly prized throughout the ancient world. During the Middle Ages, it is interesting to point out that the wines of Loire…
Since antiquity, the island of Corsica has been colonized by one Mediterranean power after another. First the Phoenicians, who gave way to the Carthaginians, followed by the Greeks, Etruscans, and eventually, the Romans. There was a time when even the infamous Barbary pirates controlled this sun-drenched and fertile island. It is also quite interesting to…
I know, I know. It was just a few weeks ago that I was saying that, in spite of my fondness for other varietals, my go-to grape is still, ultimately, Zinfandel. Well, somehow I am going to have to reconcile that with the results of what was possibly the finest group of wines that I…
What a night at Grape of the Night (GOTN)! As always, my favorite group of people tantalized our palates with unique Cabernet Sauvignons from Paso Robles. Yes, we all know the reputation of the heavy hitters from Napa and Sonoma such as Screaming Eagle, Caymus, Phelps Insignia, etc. However, during my last visit to Paso,…
Paso Robles and Santa Barbara garner plenty of attention when it comes to wine, but insiders know the Arroyo Grande Valley as an up-and-coming hot spot that tourists often miss. Equal parts down-home charm and polished sophistication, the Arroyo Grande Valley Wine Trail is a fantastic getaway for anyone seeking a change of pace…and some…
The problem as I see it is that we all dream of this: The lush vines sagging under the weight of their fruit, the intimate backyard tastings, the rocky earth, the turquoise sky above a mountain, wind chimes barely making their music, the coolness of the winery, the large-bowled stemware filled to just under 1/3,…
I love the north of Spain and have been visiting the city of Bilbao and the surrounding beaches of San Sebastian for some twenty years. My frequent haunts include Concha Bay, and the golden sands beaches of Zarautz and Fuenterrabia. Today I am joined by long-time friend and fellow sommelier, Naiara Dolagaray. We are enjoying…
When one considers France, what often comes to mind is exceptional wines, fine Champagne, and Cognac, the crème de la crème of brandy. Yet let’s not forget France’s other premier spirit, Armagnac. Today I am in the southwest of France, in the Gascony region. This is the land between the Ardou and Garonne rivers which…