Wine, seafood, music and a local guide: what more can a person ask for when in the magical city of Venice?! This was our second time in Venice. The first time we were there, we only spent two nights which is not nearly enough time to explore all the nooks and crannies Venice has to offer. This...
You see, back in the 1960’s Sauvignon Blanc didn’t have a lot of street cred. The American versions of the wine at that time were on the sweet side and less than exciting for most people. So Robert Mondavi (we ALL know that name, right?) took the initiative to visit France to see how they created their Sauvignon Blanc. He visited the regions of Loire Valley Sancerre and also the Pouilly-Fumé region whose Sauvignon Blanc at that time was called “Blanc Fumé.”
So my fabulous friend Wendy Saade from 10 Space Design sent me a recipe for this amazing dish. It was originally inspired by her Lebanese mother-in-law that makes a fried version of this (doesn’t the sound of that make you want to drool?) In a effort to find a healthier version, she came...
We were recently invited to celebrate our friend Jennie’s mom, Terrie’s, birthday in Malibu for a little wine tasting and … wait for it … a SAFARI. If you don’t think there’s any good vineyards and wine to taste in Los Angeles County, just wait until you read...
This is one of my favorite salads that I had for the first time in India. After a 22 hour plane ride and an 8-hour drive to the village of Rishikesh, I wanted something FRESH. I couldn’t stress the word FRESH enough after having eaten horrible airplane food and protein bars...
Cava. Now here is an understated, under-appreciated and usually over looked sparkling wine. It’s more or less the Prosecco of Spain because Prosecco (Italian) is also highly overlooked as everyone always seems to focus on the Champagnes of the world. Yet surprisingly Cava is usually very easily found in most major grocery stores which makes it easily accessible and very budget friendly.
Ahhhhhh Venice. Other than my wife, dogs, and wine – I think Venice is the other great love of my life. The grandeur and romanticism of it is very overwhelming. The irony of it is that we heard so many negative things about it when we were planning our trip to Italy that we...
Never heard of Grüner Veltliner (pronounced Grooner Velt-leener)? Neither had I until last year when a dear friend of mine in NYC recommended I try it as an exotic alternative to dry Riesling or Sauv Blanc. I’m so glad she did because it has quickly become one of my favorite white wines – when I can find it.
So after 10 months of sitting on photos and trying to make the time to write this, I am FINALLY going to write about our wine tasting tour in Tuscany. While it was only a day long and it seems like it should be easy to blog, I really wanted to do this justice. I also knew it was going to make me terribly nostalgic and wishing I was still in Italy. Ohhhhhh the aching pain to be back there!
Ahhhh yes! Old world vs. New World! What in the heck does that mean exactly? The first time I ever heard that mentioned several years ago I thought it meant old wines vs. new wines. Well if you’ve thought the same thing – you’re not COMPLETELY wrong exactly. It’s the...
I have to admit, it has taken me a while to develop a love affair with pesto sauce. I had no idea why I didn’t love it because basil is one of my favorite herbs on the entire planet. I love basil in all forms so why not pesto? Little did I know it was because I am not the biggest fan of pine nuts and most pesto recipes call for pine nuts. Ah ha! It’s amazing what a little research does.
I don’t think there is any other beverage on earth that can leave you enchanted by the aromas of everything from peaches to cedar, from anise to honey or from lychee to mushrooms. You will be mesmerized and entranced by the amazing smells of wine. I personally think it is the most magical part of the wine experience.
