It’s the first weekend in July and you know what that means – the Tour de France is back! Cycling is one of the Derv’s favorite sports and each year I anticipate its return the way a five-year-old awaits Christmas. Three weeks of (almost) daily drama played out over the perilous pathways of the Pyrénées – not to mention the Alps, Vosges, Jura, and Massif … Continue reading Tour de France by the Glass 2017 – Le Grand Départ!
What’s your go-to plan for Mother’s Day weekend? My guess is that it involves brunch, a meal that is tailor-made for the holiday, giving Mom the perfect reason to get her hair done, don that new dress, and dote adoringly on her grandchildren. Maybe you’re going out, or maybe you’ve invited the family to your house for a mini reunion. If you’re hosting, I’ve got … Continue reading Spring Brunch: A Trio of Salads with Fresh Wines to Match (#WinePW)
Come a certain hour (five o’clock, anyone?) I bet most of us look forward to uncorking a bottle of our favorite wine and celebrating a productive day. But what about those pesky, early-morning hours? You know, when our palates are sharpest and can distinguish nuances of flavor that might be lost on us later in the day. After all, it’s the reason most official wine … Continue reading Wine Lovers and Tea: A Natural Match
A while ago I had the extraordinary chance to attend a master class in the wines of the Barossa Valley Australia, specifically wines crafted from Old Vines. The exact definition of Old Vines varies from place to place, but it has come to mean something particular here in South Australia. More than just a chronological categorization of vines based on their year of planting, the … Continue reading Barossa Old Vine Charter: The Oldest Vines in the World?
Last month, participants of Wine Studio, an on-line interactive education seminar hosted by Tina Morey, delved into the intricacies of Mosel Riesling. During the first two weeks, we focused our studies on the lovely wines of Karthauserhof, a monopole property originally founded by Carthusian monks in the 11th century. (You can read the details in my post HERE.) But Tina wasn’t finished with us … Continue reading Single-Vineyard Riesling from Max Ferdinand Richter (#winestudio Part 2)
I may have co-opted the famous saying about perceived Roman dominance many centuries ago, but I feel it’s appropriate. After all, Riesling has made quite powerful friends of late, namely the sommeliers who love to tout its unmatched affinity for a wide range of cuisines, not to mention its ability to age for decades without losing any of its famed balance and finesse. But in … Continue reading All Roads Lead to Riesling (#winestudio)
