My earliest recollection of Sherry was as a boy reading Edgar Allen Poe’s, “The Cask of Amontillado.” I immediately leaped to my feet and ran into my parents’ bedroom to ask what in fact was Sherry? After my mother’sbrief explanation, I accompanied her to the living room where from behind the bar, she produced a…
Picture this scenario: You are in a college classroom, for the first time or later in life as a returning student. Now a step further, at your seating place sit six wine glasses each holding approximately an ounce of Petite Sirah. Yes, that inky, almost black, rich red wine that can turn your teeth purple…
The tradition of wine and viticulture is very old in Switzerland. Dating back to the Roman era, highly prized wines were being produced throughout the country. On a recent archaeological dig, a Celtic tomb dating back to the 2nd century BC was unearthed in Valais. The tomb belonged to woman and among her contents was…
Located in northwest Switzerland on the Rhine River is the beautiful city of Basel. I love this area where the Swiss, French, and German borders converge. The region is rich in a culture that is affectionately known as the “Regio Tri-Rhena,” and extends into German Baden-Wurttemberg and French Alsace. Part of Basel’s allure is its…
Red wines from Germany? Isn’t it too cool there, even for Pinot Noir? Not at all. In fact German red wines and not only thriving, they are becoming very popular throughout the world. Back in the 1980’s, red grapes accounted for only 12 per cent of Germany’s vineyards. Today, that number exceeds 36 per cent….
The city of Stuttgart is unusual for a German city. The country’s sixth-largest city spreads across rolling hills, valleys, parks, and of course, vineyards. Long time friend and fellow sommelier, Liesel Braun and I have returned to this wonderful city after spending a few days traveling along the banks of the Mosel River, exploring the…
There is only one thing to do in Eastern Europe when it is 12 degrees Fahrenheit and the snow is knee deep. If you guessed stay at home, you couldn’t be more wrong. The one thing that I love to do is to go to the circus. When I was a young lad and the…
Montenegro, the name dates back to the time of Venetian rule, and means “Black Mountain.” This is a beautiful and majestic land strewn with waterways and inlets from the Adriatic Sea. For anyone who has seen the James Bond film, “Casino Royale,” Montenegro is an exotic land ripe with sun drenched beaches and opulent casinos….
Literally at the foothills of the Alps, Piedmont abounds with vineyards producing Italy’s finest wine. A sumptuous and noble wine that has been heralded as the “the wine of kings, the king of wines.” Of course, I am speaking of Barolo. Today, I am with my friend and fellow sommelier, Serena Dutto. We are visiting…
