This week I had the opportunity to taste some great wines and two stood head and shoulders above the rest.These two wines exemplify everything in wine that I search for: balance, varital correctness, elegance, and a sense of place. The wines of Maurilo Palladino are singular, definative, and so well made they made me stop, take a deep breath and thank the heavens for life.
Continue reading "Monday Night Wines: Paladino, understated elegance" »
When I travel to wine regions I feel compelled to see at least one winery. Though this was our honeymoon and visiting a winery is "technically" work I really wanted to see Tormaresca. As we were piecing our travel plans together Francesco, general manager of Tormaresca and a friend, offered to host us at the Bocca di Lupo estate for the night and then show us the Masseria Maime estate on our way to Lecce. How could I say no?
Continue reading "Can we write this off? A day and night at Tormaresca" »
Discovery, adventure, challenge, and openness are all words that need to be part of one's lexicon with regards to wine. Tasting and drinking wine is an adventure. It can lead to amazing discoveries if you are just up for the challenge and willing to be open to new things.
Continue reading "Monday Night Wines (7/21/208)" »
To honor France we opened a good bottle of wine from Burgundy. If you have not gotten the Burgundy bug yet, keep drinking. It is an expensive habit but really worth it! Since I got home late, I only opened one bottle.
Continue reading "Monday Night Wine: Happy Bastille Day!" »
The title of this post may seem a bit deceiving, but that depends where your mind generally sleeps: in the gutter or somewhere else. I have always wanted to have an annual party they people look forward to and get excited as the date nears. I had thoughts of doing a shrimp boil, a Texas BBQ, a big bottle of wine party (already taken), and many others. Late last year I was looking around my office and noticed that I had amassed a large quantity of beer; not mean 30-packs of Bud or Miller but cases of Belgium ales, French Saison ales, various German beers, and craft American beers. I could not possible think of just tasting the beers and then dumping them down my drain, because craft beers are truly artisan and many of these beers are of such good quality that I thought it would be best to share them with my friends. As I mulled the idea over I thought we could do some grilling, hang out and taste some yummy beers, but then it hit me, SAUSAGE!
Continue reading "Sausage Fest II" »
Since last Thursday I have been consuming massive amounts of wine and beer. The long weekend allowed me to hang out with wine geeks at Terroir Wine Bar (http://terroirsf.com/), sing Kareoke at The Mint, and drink full bodied Belgium ales at Sausage Fest II; therefore, tasting wine was not my first thought when I got home last night. Well, I dug deep inside and found two bottles that I have been wanting to try. This week I choose two wines from the States and was split on my thoughts on the wines.
Continue reading "Monday Night Wines (7/7/2008)" »
We took our first long driving around the Gargano peninsula, a unique geological formation of limestone cliffs and chalk caves. The Gargano is a protected national forest is famous for its small sea-cliff villages, crystal clear water, and seaside resorts. It is considered one of the most beautiful areas of southern Italy.
Continue reading "Puglia Part II: The Gargano" »
Mondays can be a drag. I have found that my Monday nights are much better when I try some wine. Each Monday night Shauna and I will try one white and one red and then let yall know what we think.
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Before our wedding last August, everyone asked, "Where are you going on your honeymoon? When we said Pulgia, confused faces greeted us and then two questions were always asked: Pul-what? and Pul-where?
Continue reading "Why Puglia?" »
