Eat & Drink
So, what kind of a rosé drinker are you? Do you like a sweet sipper? Do you want it as a food wine? Do you like it bone-dry as they do in Provence? Or perhaps somewhere in between? The latter represents today’s example; dry enough to refresh, but not so […]
Regaleali used to be the lone Sicilian voice in the American wine market. Do you remember the Corvo brand, and especially the “Rosso Del Conte,” which was its best wine? Well, Tasca d’Almerita, the formal name of that company, has been making wines for over a century. But things are […]
Ask most people about Côtes Du Rhône wines and they think of red. But vibrant whites are also made, and they represent the same kind of value as their red brethren. Today’s example from Les Dauphins is a blend of numerous grapes that thrive in this warm-weather climate, yet produce […]
Food trucks, beer and the outdoors. This combination is sure to bring all Durhamites to the big red barn on Chapel Hill Street. County Fare opened April 18, and it is just what this area of Durham should have. The atmosphere is open and inviting. The vibe is cool and […]
I love reporting on the downtown restaurant scene because of how much it is growing and evolving, but on the flip side, I recognize that rapid growth comes at a price. In recent years, investors and developers have taken note of Durham’s coolness factor and the dollar signs attached to […]
Castello d’Abola is one of the most scenic and “elevated” estates in Tuscany. Thirty minutes from Siena, their ancient vineyards are situated between 1,150-2,150 feet above sea level. (That’s high up in these parts.) Today’s wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon/Sangiovese blend that aims for the fences. It is called “Acciaiolo;” […]
A lifetime ago, many California estates, large and small, used to bottle what they called “Burgundy.” Today, almost nobody calls their wine that, except for the real thing that comes from the Burgundy region of France. (Even older cookbooks used to ask for “a cup of Burgundy wine.” They didn’t […]
I have been following the wines of Chalk Hill Estate for almost 20 years. Of the numerous wines they produce – and experimentation has been a big part of their success – I don’t think any has pleased me more than their original Estate Chardonnay. It has always been of […]
Amarone is the Italian Veneto region’s most distinctive red wine. The “Recioto” version is the older iteration and vinified sweet. The “Amarone,” which combines shriveled grape unctuousness with a dry finish, has only been in existence since the 1950s. Older vintages of Bertani Amarone have always been my touchstone; but […]
The wines from the Bodegas Godelia are new to me, but they’ve been creating quite a stir in the U.S. High standards, careful vinification and old vines contribute to the quality. Today’s red is their “entry level” release, but doesn’t taste at all secondary. It’s a 100% Mencia grape red […]
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