The Swirling Dervish

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    • Vuelta a España por Vaso 2015
      • Stage 1: Puerto Banús to Marbella (Team Time Trial)
      • Stage 2: Alhaurín de la Torre to Caminito del Rey
      • Stage 3: Mijas to Málaga
      • Stage 4: Estepona to Vejer de la Frontera
      • Stage 5: Rota to Alcalá de Guadaíra
      • Stage 6: Córdoba to Cazorla
      • Stage 7: Jódar to La Alpujarra
      • Stage 8: Puebla de Don Fadrique to Murcia
      • Stage 9: Torrevieja to Cumbre del Sol
      • Stage 10: Valencia to Castellón
      • Stage 11: Andorra La Vella to Cortais d’Encamp
      • Stage 12: Escaldes-Engordany to Lleida
      • Stage 13: Calatayud to Tarazona
      • Stage 14: Vitoria-Gasteiz to Alto Campoo-Fuente del Chivo
      • Stage 15: Comillas to Sotres. Cabrales
      • Stage 16: Luarca to Ermita del Alba-Quirós
      • Stage 17: Burgos (Individual Time Trial)
      • Stage 18: Roa to Riaza
      • Stage 19: Medina del Campo to Ávila
      • Stage 20: San Lorenzo de El Escorial to Cercedilla
      • Stage 21: Alcalá de Henares to Madrid
    • Tour de France by the Glass 2015
      • Stage 1: Le Grand Départ – Individual Time Trial (Utrecht, Netherlands)
      • Stage 2: Utrecht to Zelande
      • Stage 3: Antwerp to Mur de Huy
      • Stage 4: Seraing to Cambrai
      • Stage 5: Arras to Amiens
      • Stage 6: Abbeville to Le Havre
      • Stage 7: Livarot to Fougères The Heart of Normandy
      • Stages 8 and 9
      • Stage 10: Tarbes to La Pierre-St. Martin
      • Stage 11: Pau to Cauterets/Vallée de Saint Savin Peril in the Pyrénées!
      • Stage 12: Lannemezan to Plateau de Beille
      • Stage 13: Muret to Rodez
      • Stage 16: Bourg-de-Péages to Gap
      • Stage 17: Digne-les-Bains to Pra Loup
      • Stage 18: Gap to Saint Jean-de-Maurienne
      • Stage 19: Saint Jean de Maurienne to La Toussuire – Les Sybelles
      • Stage 20: Modane-Valfréjus to Alpe d’Huez
      • Stage 21: The Peloton Reaches Paris
    • Tour de France by the Glass 2016
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February 5, 2021February 7, 2021 theswirlingdervish

Pasta e Ceci with Chianti Classico from Domini Castellare in Castellina (#ItalianFWT)

January 22, 2021January 25, 2021 theswirlingdervish

White Rioja: There’s a Style for Every Palate (#worldwinetravel)

January 15, 2021January 16, 2021 theswirlingdervish

Are Dry Wines the New Sweet Spot for Sauternes? #winophiles

January 13, 2021 theswirlingdervish

Last-Minute Pairings: Pantry Meal Meets a Last Bottle Special

January 6, 2021 theswirlingdervish

Ushering In 2021 with a Few Wonderful Wines

December 30, 2020 theswirlingdervish

Books of 2020 Part 2: My Favorite Fiction and Nonfiction, Best Character, and a Few Wild Rides

December 23, 2020 theswirlingdervish

A Bounty of Books in 2020: Part One

December 19, 2020December 19, 2020 theswirlingdervish

Three Holidays in Spain; Three Tastes of Albariño

December 16, 2020 theswirlingdervish

Spice Up Your Holiday Table with a Glass of Fetzer Monterey County Gewürztraminer

December 11, 2020December 12, 2020 theswirlingdervish

Biodynamic Bourgueil from Laurent Herlin Classes-Up a Weeknight Dinner (#WinePW)

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Raising a glass to Charlie Meeker of @meekerwine who passed away last week. He and his wife Molly bought their first vineyard in Dry Creek Valley in 1977, commuting from Los Angeles where Charlie worked in the film industry, eventually becoming President of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Today, the winery is still run by the family, with Molly as President and son Lucas managing the cellar operations. Charlie’s spirit lives on in lovely wines like this Four Kings classic Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. They describe it as an “elegant beast” and I couldn’t agree more. It’s one of Gabe’s and my favorite selections from the Meeker lineup and we can’t think of a better way to pay tribute to the family. Our condolences on your loss, as we celebrate the trail Charlie leaves behind. Godspeed!
Some nights call for Nebbiolo, am I right? Probably snatched this Barbaresco from the cellar a little too early, but it made an excellent companion to my pan seared pork chops! This 2017 from @agricolamolino_winery comes from fruit grown on two sites: one in Treiso; the other in San Rocco Seno d’Alba. Its fragrance was floral (violets, rose) and herbal (dried mint) with a mix of black and red fruit. On the palate, the wine was more approachable than I expected, given its youth. High acid and medium+ tannins, balanced by tart cranberry, pomegranate, and cherry fruit. As we sipped through dinner (and afterward) Gabe and I remarked how perfect it was for this meal, this night. Sometimes a wine just hits the spot, and the Molino Teorema Barbaresco surely did that.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Today I’m reminded to look for the beauty that’s right in front of me; to stay open to the possibilities of life, especially when things are difficult.
Dinner on a Tuesday is a simple affair - homemade turkey burgers and steamed broccoli. Ho hum. Lucky thing we’ve got a bottle of ZSM from @meekerwine !
Here’s how Gabe and I are rolling for #superbowl2021 - grilled steak and one of our favorite pours from @smith_madrone in Napa Valley. We’re enjoying the game almost as much as these tasty treats! How are you celebrating the big game?
The Italian Food Wine & Travel group chatted this morning about their favorite braised dishes paired with - you guessed it - Italian wine! I added this charming Chianti Classico from @castellarewine in the Castellina subzone, and matched it with a heartwarming Pasta e Ceci. Perfect on a chilly day!

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