The Swirling Dervish

Wine Stories, Food Pairings, and Life Adventures

Menu Skip to content

Home
Sample Policy
About
Wine Adventures
Contact

Tag: #FrenchWine

January 15, 2021January 16, 2021 theswirlingdervish

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

September 8, 2020September 8, 2020 theswirlingdervish

Tour de France 2020 Stage 11: Another Flat Day and Wines from the Haut-Poitou AOC

August 14, 2020August 17, 2020 theswirlingdervish

Savennières and Vouvray: Two Tastes of Loire Valley Chenin Blanc

July 17, 2020July 18, 2020 theswirlingdervish

Biodynamics and the Butterfly Effect: A Labor of Love in Roussillon

May 15, 2020May 17, 2020 theswirlingdervish

Morgon de Jean-Paul Thévenet, One of the Beaujolais Gang of Four

December 20, 2019December 21, 2019 theswirlingdervish

Monmousseau Ammonite Vouvray: Gussying-Up an Ad Hoc Holiday Feast

Search for:

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 7,266 other followers

Email Address:

Follow The Swirling Dervish on WordPress.com

Instagram

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!

Follow me on Twitter

Blog at WordPress.com.