Nancy (CSW), Author at Pull That Cork

Vinkara Vineyards: Modern Wine from an Ancient History

March 15, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) 2 comments

When it comes to wine, I love variety. I have my favorites of course, but am always interested in trying wine from a new producer, a new country or one made from a variety with which I am unfamiliar. Sometimes I have the opportunity to taste a wine that is all three. I consider that hitting the wine lottery, especially if I enjoy the wine.

Wine, Friends and Food: Our OTBN and #winePW Evening

March 11, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) 12 comments

OTBN, otherwise known as Open That Bottle Night, is always celebrated on the last Saturday in February; at least it has been since 1999. That’s when Wall Street Journal columnists Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher came up with the idea of dedicating one night to opening that very special bottle of wine in your wine cellar. One you’ve been holding, waiting for just the right occasion to open.

Terrazze dell’Etna: Three Shades of Nerello Mascalese from Sicily’s Etna DOC

March 7, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) 1 comment

Our driver was unfamiliar with the location of the winery. He relied upon his GPS which sent us, not to the recently constructed wine cellar but, to the vineyards and home located further uphill toward Mt. Etna. We were happy for the detour, it allowed us a brief glimpse of the terraced vineyards after which the winery is named. Vincenzo […]

Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Rouge: Everyday Wine Needn’t Be Ordinary

February 26, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

What’s the best way to make a weeknight meal special? I say, prepare a deliciously simple meal and pair it with an interesting wine that won’t break the bank. We recently received just such a wine as a tasting sample. Read on for the food and wine pairing that made for such an enjoyable weeknight meal. The Wine Les Vignes […]

Rombauer Vineyards: Beyond Chardonnay

February 22, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

If someone says Rombauer Vineyards to you, what is the first thought that comes to mind? I’d be willing to bet it’s: Chardonnay. Even Rombauer Vineyards’ winemaker, Richie Allen, jokes that some people think Chardonnay is all that Rombauer produces.

Shepherd’s Pie and Burgundy: a Cozy Valentine’s Day Pairing

February 12, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) 24 comments

It’s February so, of course, the Wine Pairing Weekend group has collected some sweet, romantic and otherwise interesting food and wine pairings to share with you for your Valentine’s Day celebration. Christy, who blogs at Confessions of a Culinary Diva, sent out this month’s invitation. My goal for our Valentine’s Day pairing was to create a pairing that was special, but one that would leave me time to spend with my valentine.

Broadside Wine: Elegance in a Glass

February 5, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) 2 comments

We recently had the opportunity to taste a range of wines produced by Brian and Stephy Terrizzi under their label Broadside. The couple participated in an online tasting during which they answered our questions and tasted four of their wines with us. The wine was provided to us as tasting samples. The tasting, among other things, highlighted the variety of wine styles being produced in the Paso Robles AVA.

Sicily: Beauty Under Foot

February 2, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

Do you look down when you travel? Sounds like a silly question on the face of it, of course you do, you’re probably even more deliberate about doing so when you travel than when you’re at home on familiar territory. Aside from making sure you don’t trip or step in doggie doo doo, the colors, textures and patterns you will see beneath you […]

2012 Heavyweight Cabernet Sauvignon — the Perfect Match for a Weeknight Meal

January 29, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) 1 comment

On a recent weeknight I came home to the most delightful surprise. The aromas were the first thing I noticed — sautéed onion and Italian sausage along with the spiciness of andouille. Our large dutch on the cooktop was the only other clue dinner was imminent. The kitchen was completely clean otherwise. There was no evidence of the preparation that had taken place. Clearly, Pete had been busy while I was out.

The second thing I noticed was a glass of red wine on the kitchen counter. I looked at Pete and asked, “Is that for me?” “Yes,” he replied, “what is it?” He loves to test me, so I played along.

Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio: A PG That Won’t Disappoint

January 21, 2016 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

I pulled the bottle of Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio from the refrigerator and grabbed my favorite wine glass, a Zalto Denk’Art Universal glass. It required a firm grip and a bit of muscle to remove the screw cap from the bottle of wine. I poured an ounce or so into my glass, put the screw cap back on the wine bottle and placed it in the refrigerator.

As I turned my attention to the glass of Pinot Grigio, the most amazing aromas greeted me — even before I lifted the glass to my nose. This was my first hint that this Pinot Grigio, grown in Alto Adige (and sent to us as a tasting sample), was no ordinary Pinot Grigio.