Risotto often gets a bad reputation for being a bit difficult to execute. In reality, it’s quite simple and oh so rewarding. This recipe uses carnaroli rice, a highly prized rice grown in Northern Italy. It has a higher starch content than the more commonly used arborio rice which gives this risotto a firmer texture.…
Long live summer! When the days are longer, the water is warmer and the air is thicker. Though summer may not be the most pleasant season here in South Florida with its relentless heat and threat of hurricanes, there are still some summer traditions that we can enjoy while sweating through the day. When…
It’s time to celebrate! After a year of lock downs during the COVID 19 pandemic, now that so many people have one or both vaccines, it feels like the world is starting to open up again. And so yes it’s time to celebrate and what better than sparkling wine and hugs for hard working moms,…
Take it from me, a seasoned mom. I love it when my three daughters spoil me, especially with a home-cooked meal. For decades, and still today, it’s usually been the other way around. After all, no matter how old your children are, a mother’s job is never done! And I’ve found that there’s no easier…
I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes in a “mini-review” format. They are meant to be quirky, fun, and (mostly) easily-digestible reviews of (mostly) currently available wines (click here for the skinny on how to…
In 1990, winemaker Jean Bousquet went on vacation to Argentina. A third-generation winemaker from Carcassonne, in southern France, Bousquet immediately fell in love with the Gualtallary Valley, in Mendoza. Though no vineyards existed there at the time, he recognized the winemaking potential in the region. The Gualtallary Valley is in the high mountains, with elevations…
Mention Argentina and most wine lovers immediately think of robust, Malbec wines. And why wouldn’t we? These luxurious red wines taste great with steak, roasted chicken and other hearty foods. That’s one of the reasons why I went to Argentina for two weeks 16 years ago – to learn more about its wine and this…
In many ways, the worldwide movement to sustainable agriculture has been led by winegrowers and winemakers. A pioneer in California’s sustainability movement since 1985, the Benziger family has farmed its vineyards and purchased fruit to certified sustainable, organic and biodynamic farming standards. Its full-flavored 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon ($20) shows organic wines can be good and…
CORVEZZO PROSECCO The nose is dominated by apple and pear aromas, but also offers some floral and lime scents. The palate delivers the flavors of ripe Asian pear and yellow delicious apples without the sweetness of those fruits, because this Prosecco is perfectly dry. There’s also a touch of lemon and salty minerals on the…
Mother’s Day: My mother has been gone for a long time now. I remember the day well. I had gone back to Maine, making that really difficult decision: Do I see her once more in life, or do I see her after she’s gone? It was really that fragile. When I arrived, her exit party…
Join the mailing list to receive 1 cent shipping on your first purchase!