A sun-soaked vacation in Provence ranks high on the bucket lists of many travelers. Rightfully so, considering the numerous pristine beaches along the crystalline blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Not to mention the charming villages sprinkled along the coast,...
WINE
International Riesling Day: The world’s most misunderstood grape variety
'Reece-ling' must be the world's most misunderstood, and mispronounced, grape variety. Loved by wine critics but a stranger to broad commercial appeal, Riesling is a light-skinned, aromatic grape of German origin which is also responsible for some of Germany's...
Tokaj Wines – Sweet, sophisticated and one of the most expensive liquid treasures.
The wines of the Hungarian region of Tokaj, or as they say it “toe-kay,” are a window into the past.The Tokaj region has 5,500 hectares of vineyards and 27 towns and villages. It’s a white wine region best known for its sweet aszú wines, which are made from botrytized...
French Wine Brandy brotherhood: Cognac vs Armagnac.
One of the most well-known types of French brandy is Cognac. While it may sound esoteric, it’s widely distributed–and often inexpensive. But Cognac isn’t the only great French spirit out there. If you’re really looking to get into the wonderful world of French brandy,...
America’s “noble experiment” – The Prohibition
On January 16 1919, the 18th Amendment went into effect one year later, by which time no fewer than 33 states had already enacted their own prohibition legislation. In October 1919, Congress put forth the National Prohibition Act, which provided guidelines for the...
Uncorking the use of corks and eight main types of them.
Mankind has been using corks (or phelo in Greek) since the days of ancient Egypt, maintaining the quality of a wine even over a period of many years. Remnants of cork stoppers found in Egyptian tombs highlight just how far into the past cork usage goes and it’s...
Truths and myths about Champagne
Opulence, wealth, and enchanting myths envelop the elixir of kings—champagne. Having champagne grace your table during Christmas infuses an air of elegance and festivity into the celebration. The effervescent bubbles and crisp taste of champagne evoke a sense of...