It's time for new faces and voices in wine. For many years we have all been following the writing, commentary and views of pretty much the same critics, reviewers and voices when it comes to wine. This isn't just a US phenomena, it's global. The wine world follows the same people, and in turn their … Read more
During my stay in France's Rhone Valley, Languedoc and Roussillion in early April (2017) I had the good fortune taste through many, but not all of my favorite Rose wines. Top of the heap has wines from Chateau de Roquefort's Corail, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan and Vermentino showing its usual stuff right out of … Read more
Maybe Donald Trump is right about bringing jobs back home. Let me compare two experiences I recently had with British Air under the exact same scenario. My flight to Marseille from LAX was on two separate record locators. In the past all that took to correct was a call to BA’s executive club desk and … Read more
This is one of the most controversial tech subjects I know of. VoIP on airplanes. A recent survey in the APAC region shows that 42 percent of the travelers there would like to see VoIP calling allowed in-flight. That's 2 out of every five traveler who want to be able to make a call from … Read more
Michel Smith started his career as a journalist in Paris and began to write about wine. His well storied career has led to his being one of the leading proponents of wines from both the Languedoc and Roussillion regions, and unquestionably is one of the most well informed and witty wine and food writer/critics around. … Read more
Long time friend of more than 20 years Sylvain Fadat of Domaine du Aupilhac rewarded himself and his friends after a long day of work at the annual Montpeyroux Toutes Caves Ouvertes, which loosely translated means "All cellars open." For a Sunday in April, let alone Easter Sunday, the wine producing town in the hills … Read more
It has been a long time since I did a deep dive into any one wine region. Back in the day I would spend a week or more going from village to village tasting many different producers. Other times it would be at massive wine events like Vinisud and Decouvertes du Rhone where I had … Read more
This week I've stayed in three Accor brand hotels, a Mercure and two Ibis Styles. Granted they are not my usual type of accommodations, but when it comes to traveling along the wine route for Decouvertes du Rhone, they are conveniently located and value priced. What they don't have though is functioning Wi-Fi and never … Read more
After many months of planning, the event of all events for the Grenache Association is tonight in Avignon. All the Grenachistas will be out in force so if you're in the neighborhood come join up for the fun. Maison Nani at 29 rue Théodore Aubanel, 84000 Avignon, France
On my first day of deep diving educational training, after a delightful lunch in Beaumes de Venise I ventured up to the hillside town of Suzette to try wines from three producers. Of the three, Charles Redortier, Domaine Saint Amant and La Ferme Saint-Martin, the latter two were standouts, while Redortier showed me some wines that are … Read more
