Yay for Chardonnay

November 8, 2011

Chardonnay is kind of the Coke of wines. It’s popular. It’s easy to drink. And it goes with a lot of great foods.

That popularity, however, has led some to look down on Chardonnay. I think the logic is that if it’s that popular, it couldn’t possibly be cool.

Perfect pairings for fall favorites

October 19, 2011

Brrr.

There’s a chill in the air. And the lighter, brighter foods of summer – salads, summer veggies, grilled chicken – are giving way to the heavier and more intense foods of fall – earthy vegetables, soups and stews, roasts and braises. You might even be starting to crave Thanksgiving dinner.

Rootin’ tootin’ Zinfandel

August 24, 2011

As the window on summer begins to close, I’m craving barbecue. I guess I’m wanting my fill before it gets too cool to grill. And with barbecue cravings come Zinfandel cravings – it is most definitely a wine for all manner of smoky, grilled, charred meats.

An argument for off-dry

June 27, 2011

I said it in both of my books, but I guess I like saying it, because I’m going to say it again: I have no idea how or why off-dry wines became so unhip, but they absolutely shouldn’t be.

Video: The recipes in 100 Perfect Pairings: Main Dishes

June 9, 2011

This is the third and final video (for now, at least) celebrating the release of “100 Perfect Pairings: Main Dishes to Enjoy with Wines You Love,” this time focusing on the recipes.

Video: 100 Perfect Pairings food and wine pairing tips!

May 3, 2011

To continue celebrating the release of “100 Perfect Pairings: Main Dishes to Enjoy with Wines You Love,” here’s the second of three videos I made to support it.

It’s only 2 minutes long, and you might even learn something.

So take a peek.

Lavender-Scented Dreams

April 27, 2011

A few weeks ago, I had the good fortune to spend the day with Michaela Baltasar, Senior PR Manager of Jackson Family Wines. It was one of the goodies that came with winning a fellowship to the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers and included a tasting with Ted Edwards, director of winemaking at Freemark Abbey Winery; a garden tour and food and wine pairing lunch, care of chef Matthew Lowe and executive chef Justin Wangler, at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center; and a tasting with winemaker Marcia Monahan-Torres at Matanzas Creek Winery. I know – life is rough.

Video: Introducing 100 Perfect Pairings: Main Dishes!

April 19, 2011

Today – yes, this very day – my second cookbook, “100 Perfect Pairings: Main Dishes to Enjoy with Wines You Love,” is officially released! To celebrate, and to give you a sneak peak, I’m sharing a video I made to support it.

Fall for Pinot Noir

October 15, 2010

As the weather begins to turn cooler and I, reluctantly, say goodbye to the pool floats and salads and refreshing quaffs of summer, I also start to crave cool weather wine. I start to crave Pinot Noir.

It just goes with fall. Because in the fall, although I’m no longer wanting the lighter fare of summer, I’m also not quite into the heavier, meatier braises and stews of winter. For those foods, I’ll want a heavier red, like Syrah, Zin, or Cab.

Hooray for Rosé

July 30, 2010

I know, I know. Some of you, just reading the title of this post, are saying to yourselves some version of, “Oh no – not rosé!” You have an idea of it being too sweet, too soda pop-y, too much like, maybe, Hawaiian Punch.

I understand.

Rosés have been too sweet, too soda pop-y, and too much like Hawaiian Punch.