Monthly Archives: August 2023

Maui Chefs Feed Their Community During Fire Recovery Efforts

In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires in Maui, members of the hospitality community on the island and beyond have stepped in to provide relief. Local restaurants and nonprofits from both Hawaii and farther away are working to ensure the people of Maui are fed and taken care of, while giving them the space for grief and recovery. “This is …

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Champagne 2013: 10 years on

Tom Hewson says that 2013 should be one for your cellar. Above: The cellars at Rare Champagne. ‘You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone,’ sang Joni Mitchell in the 1970 song Big Yellow Taxi. Ten years on from Champagne’s initially underrated 2013 vintage, as releases of prestige cuvées and special editions slowly drip through, Champagne lovers are starting …

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Top 10 Languedoc wineries to visit

The wine cellar and tasting room at Château Castigno was designed by Belgian architect Lionel Jadot and takes the form of a giant wine bottle lying on its side in front of old Grenache vines. With such a wealth of appellations, terroirs, climates and wine styles, as well as many beautiful villages and towns in which to base themselves, tourists …

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Best new Cognacs and Armagnacs: Eight to try

Best new Cognacs and Armagnacs Any discussion of the relative merits of Cognac and Armagnac can all too easily descend into trite generalisations. Cognac is invariably described as ‘refined’ and ‘elegant’, Armagnac as ‘rustic’ and ‘earthy’. Luckily for us, the truth is altogether less reductive, and more interesting to explore. There are obvious contrasts between these two great French spirits …

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Château Clarke: 50th anniversary vertical tasting

When considering the finest estates of the Médoc, there is no shortage of names which spring to mind. The 61 which comprise Bordeaux’s grands crus classés are likely first on any list, with top crus bourgeois châteaux following close behind. Yet, it is unlikely that Listrac (together with neighbouring Moulis) will feature high on many wine lovers’ lists. A reappraisal …

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Revisiting Languedoc’s Château d’Aussières

Château d’Aussières. In 1999, an unlikely love story was kindled. Baron Eric de Rothschild of Lafite-Rothschild felt a coup de coeur – a sudden passion – for a property in Languedoc’s Corbières: Château d’Aussières (170 hectares of vines amid 600ha of garrigue and mountain forest). The matchmaker was the French bank Crédit Agricole. ‘My father,’ says Saskia de Rothschild, Baron …

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Canneto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2017 $36 (93 points)

A broad, meaty style, this is beginning to mellow, indicating plum, macerated cherry, leather, earth and iron flavors. Dense and solidly built, with a long, fresh finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2036. 2,500 cases made, 600 cases imported. Source : 02daac23a5988747787ce05756633d84

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Cave Gulch Wine Label

RoguePano has added a photo to the pool: Never For Sale. Santa Cruz NorCal usa. Canon G11 + Photo Shop. Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/155866820@N02/53131060018/in/pool-17918700@N00

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Austrian Grüner Veltliner’s Versatility & the Magic of Minerality with Terry Theise

Introduction Is minerality a taste, a texture, or something else when it comes to wine? Why is Austrian Gruner Veltliner more versatile than Riesling? How do you find a great grower Champagne? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Terry Theise, a much-respected expert on and importer of boutique wines from Germany, Austria, and Champagne. You …

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Riverland revival: Australia’s forward-thinking region

The Murray, Australia’s longest river, snakes through vineyards of the Riverland, the country’s largest wine growing and producing appellation. Once the domain of bulk wine and the workhorse of the Australian wine industry, the Riverland is the country’s largest GI (Geographical Indication) by tonnage, responsible for a third of the total annual crush. While quantity is still viewed as a …

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Wine to 5: Pedro Araújo, MD of World of Wine cultural district (Porto)

From a young age, Pedro Arau?jo realised he wanted to create flavours and textures that stir the senses. He left Portugal to work as a chef, returning to discover a passion for cacao and chocolate. He joined WOW to lead the creation of a museum dedicated to the origins of cacao and the history of chocolate, also building a factory …

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E.&J. Gallo Buys Rombauer Vineyards

E.&J. Gallo is dramatically increasing its footprint in luxury California wine. America’s largest wine producer is buying Napa-based Rombauer Vineyards. The deal includes the Rombauer brand, three winery facilities, two tasting rooms and more than 700 acres of sustainably-farmed vineyards in Carneros, Atlas Peak, St. Helena, Calistoga, Sonoma Valley, and the Sierra Foothills. Neither side disclosed a purchase price. The deal …

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Maui Chefs Feed Their Community During Fire Recovery Efforts Maui Chefs Feed Their Community During Fire Recovery Efforts *Maui Chefs Feed Their Community During Fire Recovery Efforts