Wine in Mexico
As a resident of Mexico, I was interested to learn about the history of wine in Mexico. The following is what I have gleaned from local sources and research. I hope you find it an interesting read. Hernan Cortes, the first governor of New Spain, ordered new colonists to plant 1,000 grapevines for every 100 natives in their service. The grapes flourished in New Spain and, in 1531, Charles I decreed that all ships sailing to New Spain carry grapevines and olive trees to be planted there. The … [Read More...]
Red Wine and Cheese
I found a recent article by Eric Asimov published in the New York Times on the subject of pairing red wine and cheese in which he points out that over the last 15 years, or so, many people have rejected the dogma of red wine with cheese. In its place a new orthodoxy took hold - red wine with cheese is a hidebound formula for disaster, while white wines of all sorts, including sweet wines, flatter cheeses. So do many beers. But red wines? Forget it.It is simply untrue that red wine and … [Read More...]
Wine Riots
The following article about wine riots was published by the Huffington Post on September 21. It is being re-printed here in case you missed it."Typical walk-around wine tastings are not for the faint of heart. They are serious affairs, complete with hundreds of unpronounceable varietals and appellations (and vintners who might act shocked if you don't know what those words mean).Set foot inside the doors of one of these white-gloved, silver-plattered events, and it's a world of … [Read More...]
California Wines and Varietals
Of the various factors that influence vineyard regions and determine their suitability for growing wine grapes, one of the most important is climate. California has a Mediterranean-type climate, which means that rains fall in the winter but not during the summer growing season. Many of the least expensive California wines come from grapes grown in fertile soils, and plenty of the fine wines come from grapes grown in soils of medium or poor fertility. Mountain vineyards in particular tend … [Read More...]
French Wine Tours
The Jura wine region isn't the first wine region you might consider visiting on one of your French wine tours, but this bijou area offers many rewards with a stunning mountain landscape complete with grassy knolls, rocky outcrops and rustically delicious food and wine.Arbois, the 'capital' of the wine region, is just a couple hours from Lyon or Geneva and is where the great scientist, Louis Pasteur grew up. Wander around the streets, peer down at the pretty Cuisance River and enjoy the … [Read More...]