Wake Up, Bordeaux
Several weeks ago on a Saturday morning two members of the National Police visited the wine store of a friend. Both men had removed identification numbers from their uniforms. Their…
Ratatouille and Eggplant for Harvest Season
This web log is about wine, but this week we include two recipes. Why? Because recipes keep pouring in after my request for them for a forthcoming book - Winemaker's…
Cooling Down in Alsace
The beauty of Alsace is impressive. Strasbourg city includes soaring medieval architecture, and countryside villages are worth exploring by foot. The best wines here are also worth seeking out. Alsace…
Bordeaux is On Fire
Though not really on fire, the Bordeaux region of France is hot. Very hot. There have been successive heat waves during past weeks (the most recent saw temperatures of 41…
Wild Cooking Realization, Great Summer Recipe, and New Book
Here's a no-brainer no one talks about. If you want to learn to cook, where do you go? Cooking school? Restaurants? Cookbooks? Television chefs? Sure. But you can do better.…
Beauty and Surprises at VinExpo 2015
My first ever visit to VinExpo (2015 in the city of Bordeaux) was an eye-opener. It was a massive yet well-organized event with easy accessibility, plenty of restaurants, and impressive…
Easy in the Loire Valley
"When trustworthy people give you a tip about wine, the least you can do is give it a try." Julien Pouplet - wine consultant, Blaye/Bordeaux "All the great vineyards are…
Château Mercier
Below is some drone footage taken at Château Mercier, Côtes de Bourg - Bordeaux. The Chety family have run this vineyard since the late 1600s, and produce wines of excellent value. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMiBeyooMtM Many…
Open Doors in Bourg – Affordable Bordeaux
"So what is a great wine?...I would say that it is one that has everything but nothing to excess....a great wine leaves one spellbound and dazed..." Olivier Bernard - 'The…
Atomic Wine
I drove into the town of Socorro in the state of New Mexico (USA) to find a motel room for a night. Most motels and hotels were full. Fortunately I…