The full title of a new book by Jane Lopes and Jonathan Ross is How to Drink Australian: An Essential Modern Wine Book. I recently received a digital copy for review and admit to falling headlong into the book. How to Drink Australian is a detailed, regional introduction to the wines made throughout Australia. Australia’s wine regions are explored in […]
I’m always curious to know how wine lovers become so passionate about wine, especially those who go beyond a passing interest to pursue advanced education and accreditation, not to mention establish themselves in the wine business. When I was recently introduced to the VeroVino® website I was immediately impressed by the focus of the wines on offer: small production, family […]
Languedoc is big and it’s varied, which means there is a lot to learn to fully understand the region. We couldn’t possibly understand all of Languedoc’s appellations by tasting only four wines, but four wines can provide an introduction to the region that prompts further exploration. And each of these wines provides a short cut to its sub-region. We received […]
Champagne Widows is a new novel set in Reims during the Napoleonic Wars written by Rebecca Rosenberg. Rebecca enjoys telling the stories of interesting women throughout history. She has three published novels to her credit and two more coming soon. We received Champagne Widows for review. Champagne Widows is the story of a young, capable, independent-minded woman living in a […]
Are you familiar with California’s Suisun Valley AVA? We weren’t until we drove an alternate route home from Napa Valley that took us over the mountains south of Napa’s Atlas Peak AVA, to Wooden Valley Road, Suisun Valley Road and through picturesque Mankas Corner before joining Hwy 12 in Fairfield. It was the Welcome to Suisun Valley AVA sign that […]
When I think of Oregon wine my mind automatically goes to Pinot Noir and the Willamette Valley. Without a doubt Pinot Noir is Oregon’s signature variety and the Willamette Valley its best-known wine region, but as I learned during a recent online seminar sponsored by the Oregon Wine Board, Pinot Noir just scratches the surface of an evolving wine scene […]
I recently had the good fortune to be introduced to Franciacorta. That introduction came by way of a webinar hosted by Napa Valley Wine Academy. Giammario Villa, Master Taster and Franciacorta Brand Ambassador, shared his detailed knowledge of the region and its wines. Peter Marks, MW joined in the discussion. We tasted three styles of Franciacorta, all of which were […]
There is nothing as humbling as blind-tasting wine. But along with the humbling experience comes knowledge, if you can get over yourself. I know this from experience. One of the best learning experiences in my wine journey was attending weekly wine tasting at a local wine shop. Every week we tasted six wines, all placed in paper bags (and labeled […]
The current diversity and quality of wine around the world can be a bit overwhelming. Not that as a consumer I’m complaining, but it can be a challenge to taste wine from every region let alone every variety. The same applies to the quality and diversity of California wine in my experience. Petite Sirah is one of those varieties that […]
Eleanor Garvin and Dennis Sherman traveled to France from Maryland on one-way tickets in 1983 and cooked their way through several wine regions before permanently settling in Burgundy. Could there be a better way to learn about the food and wine of France and Burgundy in particular? I don’t think so. That knowledge, accumulated over 30 years spent getting to […]
We enjoy wine, food and travel. Pull That Cork is a chronicle of our wine adventures, the food and wine pairings we create and our travels which are increasingly organized around wine.