There are mushrooms and then there are mushrooms. Sure, they’re great in pastas, lasagnas, pizzas, salads, and all kinds of cooked dishes, but I love stuffed mushrooms! They are really easy to make and you can stuff them with anything you please. Cheese, crab, bacon, and vegetables are all great choices – the list goes […]

If you’re like me and you’ll travel just about anywhere, you’ll want to know how to drink uncommonly great wine in Estremoz, Portugal. Here’s the thing… when you’re traveling, you never really know what you’ll be doing. You can plan all you want, research until your eyes fall out, and talk to as many people […]

Popcorn! Wine! Yes, they can be a match made in… your living room, your TV room, your kitchen, your patio, your apartment… you get the idea. So let’s go discover the whimsical world of popcorn and wine pairing that might have you wondering why you didn’t try them before. And just in case you need […]

Top 9 tips for the wine traveler plus a bonus Notice I didn’t say “wine tourist”? I hate being called a wine tourist – I’m a traveler and explorer which means that I’m searching out new experiences, new friends, new sights, and new wines. Here’s what I’ve learned over my years as a wine traveler: […]

The weird and wonderful world of Portuguese red wine grape names Ever heard of a grape called “Baby Don’t Leave Me”? Or “Rooster’s Heart”? How about “Little Male Damsel”? Are you chuckling yet? Most of us know common grape names – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Reisling, Chardonnay, etc. But most people (like me although I’m […]

Could you be a judge at an international wine competition? That sounds like a leading question – the answer for me is yes, I can and I just was at the Berliner Wine Trophy in Berlin, Germany in August of 2022. However, if you had asked me that question 10 years ago, or even 5 […]

Have you ever heard those words coming out of your mouth? It usually happens after you’ve been to a wine tasting or restaurant, or perhaps you’ve been to a party. The wine you’ve been served is absolutely fantastic and you can’t wait to buy a bottle and open it up at home! You buy the […]

Once upon a time in a far away land, a family sat down for dinner. “Father,” cried the son, “I have worked hard in the fields all day and I am thirsty.” “Father,” cried the daughter, “I have looked after the animals all day and I have helped prepare our meals. I am thirsty too.” […]

Ruby red, scarlet, light red, fuchsia, brick red, garnet, pale red. There are so many shades of red when it comes to red wine! But what does it mean? Do the colours make any difference to the taste? Does a deep ruby red wine taste different than a rusty red wine? The answer might surprise […]