Goûts et terroirs, an excellent fair The more wine tastings, competitions and other events that I attend with wine professionals, the more uncomfortable I am with that wines are almost always rated at tasting sessions without food – out of the context in which people generally drink them. Yesterday I read, on Vivino, an assessment […]
Food & dining
Vermouth: 10 things I learned in Barcelona
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? […]
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 […]