When was the last time someone told you they love vermouth? I’ve just spent 4 days tasting vermouth and when I tell people this I get odd looks and grimaces. There’s a vague idea that it is old-fashioned, too sweet, not trendy, and besides, what exactly do you do with it or like about it? […]
Food & dining
For the love of goats and sheep
Wine and cheese are classic buddies, and pairings from the mountains anywhere are among my favourites. I live in the Swiss Alps, at 1,100 metres, with a small herd of beautiful Val d’Hérens cows next door; in spring and fall they eat down the pastures that surround my garden, and in early winter I listen […]
Best of Sagrantino
part 2 of 3 articles on Montefalco’s Sagrantino wines Montefalco’s top wines: my picks A note about prices: the Montefalco Rossos, which are blends, vary from about €10 to 15 (cellar prices), sometimes higher for reserves, and in Europe you can expect to pay anywhere from €18 to 40 for Sagrantino wines, with higher prices […]
Wine books: Chasselas, 2 guides, Swiss grapes
Holiday and gift-giving time is not far off, and this year you should consider some good books for wine fans. My four top choices, three of which are in French, are: Cepages Suisses, histoire et origines, by José Vouillamoz, out this week Gault & Millau Guide Suisse 2018, published in October Guide Bleu 2017/18, published […]
Gressac: A holiday break from the urban life
I headed for the Gard region to learn more about French organic wines; during my stay I was hosted by Domaine de Gressac. The owners, who are Swiss, and who previously worked in Geneva, were keen to introduce me to their natural wines but also to their five gîtes spread around the large property, beautiful purebred […]