Spring is here and the sidewalk cafés are bustling. It is so tempting to eat lunch outside everyday and occasionally indulge in a glass of wine.
Author: Mary Gorman
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A Sandwich and a Glass of Wine: Spring Wines for Lunch
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Wine With Breakfast, Anyone?
Do you enjoy a glass of wine with breakfast? What wine would you like to sip over breakfast? Or would you drink wine with breakfast at all? -
Delicious (and Affordable) Malbec Wines from Argentina
In early 2009 I wrote about the fantastic value to be found in Argentinian Malbec wines. Thirteen months on, and many tastings later, I felt compelled to revisit the Malbec grape variety and the considerable diversity of wines produced.
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Reserva, Riserva, Reserve: What Do They Mean for Wine?
These terms: Reserva, Riserva, Reserve, Grand Reserve, Vintner’s Reserve and so forth — what exactly do they mean on a wine label? And is there any consistency between them?
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How Do You Like To Learn About Wine?
Last month Faith asked readers about the best ways to learn how to cook. This got me wondering how you, our readers, like to learn about wine.
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River Café Wine Dinner: My Tribute to Rose Gray
It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Rose Gray last week. Rose was the co-author of the iconic River Café Cookbooks as well as co-owner of the River Café restaurant in London. In the early nineties Rose was my icon – my Alice Waters. She may not be as well known on this side of the Atlantic but in the UK and Ireland she and her partner Ruth Rogers were possibly the first of the great modern chefs where simplicity and good ingredients were everything. She trained Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, and in their cooking you see many of Rose’s messages and beliefs. So, this past weekend we cooked a special ‘River Café’ dinner in her memory, with wines to match.
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Burgundy Wines: Demystified and Affordable
When it comes to wine, for many people Burgundy represents the ‘Holy Grail’. Elegance, pristine fruit and perhaps some of the greatest terroir expression in the wine world. But isn’t Burgundy horribly expensive and very complicated? Read on to find out more about the myths, the realities and some wonderful affordable wines.
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Lots of Cheap Wines: At Less Than $10 Per Bottle! Budget Wines
Welcome to our latest review of bargain wines — wines for less than $10. We have survived 2009, but most of us will still be watching the pennies through 2010. As wine lovers, can we really get quality as well as value for less than $10? Read on to find out!
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Italian White Wines and Harold McGee’s Octopus Recipe Wine Pairings
After savoring the succulence of perfectly cooked octopus in Greece and Spain, cooking octopus has been on my to-do list, as I wanted to have some wine-pairing fun. I am an amateur cook that will attempt almost anything, but somehow the octopus challenge remained on the to-do list for quite a while. Until January 2010, when accidentally (or should I say serendipitously), I bought two whole, raw octopi!
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Wine for Valentine’s: Food-Friendly Blanc de Noirs
Do you like to share a special bottle of wine on Valentine’s Day? What is your preferred style? Something light, pink and bubbly? Or something more substantial to go with dinner? How about something that’s both: Pink, yet food friendly?
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How To Taste Wine Like a Wine Professional Home Hacks
One of the things that I am continually struck by is how little confidence many wine drinkers have in their ability to taste wine. Comments such as, “I don’t know anything about tasting — I just drink the wine,” are frequent. What I think they are really saying is that they do not have the confidence to articulate what they taste. If you can taste food and describe the flavors, you can do the same with wine.
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Tempra Tantrum: Red Wines with Attitude from Spain
Tempra Tantrum – modern, confident, daring, and at $10 – great value! This is the name of a range of easy-drinking red wines from Castilla in the heart of Central Spain, the Spain of Don Quixote.
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Oaked White Wine: Dated, Timeless, or on a Comeback?
The late 80’s and 90’s were boom years for big, oaky white wines, especially Chardonnay. Over the past decade, it has been all about unoaked whites, with Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc taking center stage. Is oaked white wine still a timeless classic? Largely outdated? Or is it primed for a strong comeback? What are your views?
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Buying Wine: What Are Your Most Important Criteria?
Last week I spent an intensive wine tasting week in London. As I flew back to New York, my brain drifted back to a very familiar topic: the factors that influence our choice of wine to buy. How do you decide what wine to buy? Do you always use the same criteria? Or does it depend on the situation?
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An Easy Guide to Choosing Lower Alcohol Wines
The feasting and festivities of the holidays is over. Having over-indulged, many of us have made resolutions to cut back on or cut out certain foods and alcohols during January. So how can we reduce our alcohol intake, whilst still enjoying a glass or two of wine?
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Editor’s Choice: Mary’s Favorite Posts of 2009
From the get-go I knew it would be difficult to pick just ten top posts for 2009. Off the top of my head an initial list of about 40 came to mind. But ten was my limit. I want to thank all my fellow Kitchn bloggers for so much inspiration, recipes, tips and knowledge all year. It has been a great year.
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Festive Champagne and Sparkling Wines to Ring in 2010
Let’s have some fun! Everyone I talk to is looking forward to 2010. For many 2009 has been a year of constant struggle, but, ever optimistic, let’s ring in the New Year with bubbly cheer. What are you popping open on December 31st?
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Holiday Gift Guide: Wine and Accessories for Wine-Lovers
As more and more Americans enjoy wine, giving wine and wine related gifts has also grown in popularity. From the special gift to the fun stocking filler, here are some ideas that have caught my eye, including some special (and some not-so-expensive) bottles for last-minute hostess gifts.
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Holiday Party Wines: $10 and Less from Trader Joe’s
It’s the holiday season. You’ve been invited to lots of parties. Worried that you might spend a fortune on wine? No need to worry. Read on for lots of great party wines for less than $10 at Trader Joe’s.