We had a terrific seven course tasting lunch at El Niño in Nerja, along with wines paired for each course. Pour yourself a glass of wine, settle in, and watch this glorious feast unfold.
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We are often asked where the best Pinot Noir in the US comes from, and although on a bottle to bottle basis it is hard to pinpoint a single location, one can look at all of the French families and wineries who have bought vineyards and built wineries in Oregon to realize that it has the greatest potential. The juxtaposition of a wine from Burgundy and one from Oregon from two arms of the same family gave us an opportunity to discuss the differences between Oregon and Burgundy.
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We are both glad that I didn’t let my early disappointment with Viognier scar me for life. It would be as if I’d gotten my heart broken in seventh grade and decided I could never love again. If that were the case, I could not have fallen in love with the bottle of Maison Les Alexandrins Condrieu Blanc 2016 that we opened with dinner earlier this week.
Read MoreLamb Chops and Bleu Cheese Mashed Potatoes
The first time we cycled through Provençal fields of rosemary, lavender, thyme and oregano, we totally understood the culinary concept of Herbes de Provence. This recipe helps to preserve the tradition of serving lamb at Easter using delicate herbs from the south of France.
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As Passover approaches, we know that many of our friends who observe will keep kosher for the week, even if they do not keep this tradition throughout the year. While our wine of the week, Recanati Gris de Marselan 2018 is kosher and is perfect for Passover, it is also a very nice rosé that all wine lovers will enjoy.
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Thoughts are turning to warmer temperatures alongside whites and rosés, but this is still serious red wine weather. That’s why we pulled out a bottle of BOYANCI Inspire ROMAnce Cabernet Franc 2014 and had it with baked ziti over the weekend.
Read MoreGrilled Spicy Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers
We first had shrimp and pineapple skewers at a tapas bar in Logroño, the capital of the Rioja wine region. We often go out on a “tapas crawl,” rather than sitting down for a formal dinner. Our moveable feast usually involves four or five tapas bars, each one offering their special tapas served alongside amazing wines by the glass.
Read MorePaella With Shellfish and Chorizo
In Spain, the best paella is always found at beachfront restaurants, where it is generally eaten at lunchtime. This is our take on the classic version.
Read MoreProvençal Black Olive and Onion Tart
This simple tart uses pungent Niçoise olives that are grown in Provence. It combines the earthy flavors of root vegetables with salty, sun-drenched olives. While this is baking, your house will be filled with the buttery pastry aromas of southern France.
Read MoreElegant Beef Bourguignon
Our favorite beef bourguignon is made from fork-tender short ribs. This easy but elegant preparation is sure to delight your most discriminating houseguests. They’ll be talking about you and your main course for weeks to come.
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Champagne Palmer & Co. Rosé Réserve pairs easily with simple-to-serve food such as charcuterie and cheese platters or Thai take-out. It is also ideal with pasta and cream sauce or herb-roasted chicken. It’s terrific for a small party or a candlelit table for two.
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As prices for wine from Bourgogne spiral out of the reach of mere mortals, it is comforting to know that we can still satisfy our Burgundy cravings with well-made bottles from appellations that do not fetch the exorbitant amounts of those from more prominent terroir or producers.
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If you think your walk to the office was bad today, consider for one moment the poor vineyard workers in Canada, Germany, and Austria who have to stand in a frozen vineyard, knee-deep in snow, fighting off ravenous birds while trying to wield pruning shears through heavy gloves.
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After several days of drinking beer, finding a restaurant in Bangkok with a good wine list felt like winning the lottery. Neudorf Sauvignon Blanc offers a complexity not found in much of the Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, which is often “cheap and cheery” at best.
Read MoreEAT, DRINK, BEACH
Bali is exotic and sometimes overwhelming, but to maintain your sense of calm while sitting in the island’s ubiquitous traffic, we recommend hiring an experienced driver/tour guide.
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Blockhead is an homage to the original European settlers of the Barossa Valley, who had square jaws, a stoic character and dedication to the land. Among their descendants, the title Blockhead is worn as a badge of honor.
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Not that we are folks who sit back and watch anything…but January is prime sports viewing season. You’ve got NFL playoffs, NHL hockey, and NBA and NCAA basketball all happening at once. It’s a great time of year to become acquainted with The Calling Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.
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It is hard to choose among all the wonderful Champagnes out there, but when midnight strikes and 2019 begins, we will each have a glass of Champagne Taittinger Prélude Grands Crus in hand.
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As Christmas weekend and the big day itself approach, we can think of no better way to celebrate than with Bottega Venetian Gold Prosecco. Part of Bottega’s “Liquid Metals” collection (there are also Platinum and Rose Gold versions) Bottega Gold comes in a gleaming bottle that is a lustrous work of art in and of itself.
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“I am not drinking any f*** Merlot.” Don’t be an Idiot—like that guy in Sideways!
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