To die for.
I haven't let up on my recent obsession with Cru Beaujolais, the most serious of the Gamay wines to come from France's Beaujolais region. As I mentioned before, it can have legitimate sense of place, complexity, and aging potential. My most recent find, a 2009 Cuvée Tardive (late blend) from Fleurie's Clos de la Roilette, is all those things and more. I was so excited when I first read about Read more
Every November, the big buzz award seems to go to Beaujolais Nouveau, the immature French red that signifies the year's wine harvest. I may or may not pop open a bottle, decide it tastes like paint thinner, and dump it down the drain. It's not a wine known for its complexity or balanced flavors. Cru Beaujolais, on the other hand, is a serious wine in its own right. It may have a hard time Read more
Earlier this month, Beaujolais Nouveau Day hit the streets of France with predictable fanfare. But the real buzz hasn't been about the young wine. Instead, experts are heralding the release of 2009 Cru Beaujolais as one of the best vintages in the past decade. These more serious and complex Gamay wines come from one of 10 designated crus, or regions, in Beaujolais: Juliénas, Saint Amour, Read more
Although 2010 has flown by, we're excited for the arrival of our favorite holiday: Thanksgiving. For the next 24 days, we'll be pulling out all the stops to help you host the best turkey day ever. From problem solving to delicious recipes to inspiring table settings, we've got you covered. We'll start by sharing the five items we are currently obsessed with — we can't live without them and Read more
Source: Flickr User jetalone Do You Buy Beaujolais Nouveau to Celebrate the Harvest? Yes, I love the fun, casual spirit of the Beaujolais Nouveau! Sometimes; it depends on the year. No, I'm not a fan of Beaujolais Nouveau. What's Beaujolais Nouveau? Read more
Today there's news of yet another comedic adventure coming from the Farrelly Bros., this one with the classy title Beaujolais. The movie is described as "a redneck action-adventure with a protagonist along the lines of an Austin Powers or Ace Ventura." After suffering through their remake of The Heartbreak Kid last Fall and seeing the disappointing outcome of their TV series Unhitched, I might Read more
2011's Beaujolais Nouveau takes to the streets. — The Daily Meal Must make: quince pancakes. — Saveur Burning question: why does Jell-O jiggle? — Food Republic Why you should never use pop-up turkey timers. — Kitchen Daily Yelp has filed to raise $100 million for an IPO. — Eater Yikes! The 25 most fattening pies. — The Daily Beast Vegan restaurants are finding success in Read more
Sure, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over — but for all you wine lovers out there, you should know that right now's still the time to get the best beverage deals. According to Ray Isle, executive wine editor for Food & Wine, when it comes to Beaujolais — especially Beaujolais Nouveau! — you should buy it right after Thanksgiving. Beaujolais Nouveau, that unaged red that's the first Read more
If you're a fan of Californian sparkling wines, you've probably enjoyed a glass or two of Chandon. With over 200,000 bottles produced a year, an affordable price tag, and a tasting room that sees 2,000 people on a Saturday, it's one of Napa Valley's most well-known bubbly producers. What you may not know, however, is that the winery also makes some well-rounded and interesting still wines. I Read more
Although there were hundreds of wineries at this year's SF Vintners Market, I spent a disproportionate amount of time tasting reds at Clos Saron, a tiny winery located in the Sierra Foothills AVA of Northern California. Owner Gideon Bienstock wouldn't share his favorite bottling with me ("That'd be like choosing a favorite child!" he exclaimed), but I found my top pick anyhow. It was his 2010 Read more
