AN UNUSUAL DEDICATION
My new novel Cezar’s Last Mark is not dedicated to any supportive family member or muse. The dedication reads, To my freshman English professor at [...]
THIRTY IS THE MAGIC NUMBER FOR BORDEAUX
Bordeaux produces some of the most age worthy wines the world. Nevertheless, the question of how long these wines should be kept remains a dilemma. [...]
A LIVE, COVID CONSCIOUS WINE TASTING
Account of our first live group tasting in the Covid Era. The precautions, the experience, the lessons.
“PURPLE DEATH” LIVES
Could the worst wine we ever tasted, Purple Death (that's the real name) be any different after living on a shelf for 23 years?
CAKEBREAD RUBAIYAT; PINOT & PERSIAN POETRY
An "honest" Pinot Noir/Syrah mix named after ancient Persian poetry
TASTING BORDEAUX 20-55 YEAR OLD; LESSONS LEARNED
Well regarded Bordeaux from an exceptional vintage can have long term staying power, in the order of many decades.
ST. JAMES & FRENCH SCALLOPS; STORIES FROM A PILGRIMAGE IN SPAIN
Discover, as I did, legends of the Camino, the ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, grave site of Saint James, and how the scallop shell became a symbol of the saint. The French named their scallop dish, coquilles St. Jacques, after Saint James.
ARZAC, A MICHELIN 3-STAR DINNER IN SPAIN
Creative, Impeccable food at a world famous Spanish restaurant, with a personal touch from the executive chef.
NIXON & FIRST GROWTH BORDEAUX
Richard Nixon is the only U.S. president with an avid interest in French wine since Thomas Jefferson. He was partial to Chateau Margaux. Read a rarely told anecdote about his encounter with 1961 Chateau Lafite.
A TASTING IN MEXICO’S NAPA VALLEY
An up and coming wine region in Baja California, south of the border from San Diego, delivers a fine first impression.