Flichman Vineyards

Nov 12, 2009 - I recently had a chance to attend a wine tasting for Flichman from Argentina.  I especially enjoyed the experience because I had a chance to chat with the winemaker, Luis Cabral de Almeida.  From my standpoint, it didn't hurt that he was pretty hot also. We began with a bottle of their Chardonnay for $8.  Frankly I didn't want to taste a bottle of $8 Chardonnay as I hate that overly oaked buttery flavor of vanilla predominating, but I was pleasantly surprised.  It was delightful and easily equal to wines I have enjoyed at twice the price.  In fact every one of the wines' price points was spectacular.  Although there were some I preferred more than others, I enjoyed all of them. All the others, with the exception of an interesting and delightful champagne (for about $8!!) all the rest were red.  In fact, even the champagne was made in part from Malbec also! - 0 Comments

Happy Hour: 2005 Bad Boy Bordeaux

Nov 11, 2009 - When I first received this bottle of Bordeaux in the mail, its Bad Boy name and whimsical label, which features a black sheep and an arrow labeled "garage," meant little to me. But after doing some research, I discovered the whole thing makes quite a bit of sense. The inky red wine, which is 95 percent Merlot and 5 percent Cabernet Franc, hails from the famous French region of Bordeaux, which is known for its style of highly tannic, collectible wines. - 2 Comments

Liquid Memory: Why Wine Matters: A Review

Oct 20, 2009 - I was reading the NY Times' book reviews and I came across an interesting review on the book, Liquid Memory: Why Wine Matters by Jonathan Nossiter. (262 pp. Farrar, Straus & Giroux $26) As background, I would hope that every serious wine drinker has seen Modovino by this time, a movie ostensibly about the world wine trade.  if nothing else it is fascinating.  I will admit here and now that I am no fan of Robert Parker nor of that other popular wine magazine which seems like it is at every checkout counter.  however I dislike them for different reasons.  Parker, at very least, knows something about wine, but his mere favorable  mention of a given wine has been known to send it soaring.  There are many popular examples.  The other magazine, which shall go unmentioned, has attempted to manipulate wine drinkers into various drining habits.  Not without its merits, especially in areas of travel articles, there is a common joke in the wine trade that when a wine is panned in the magazine, it is said that the winery probably forgot to pay its bill.  In any case, I thought this review was a pretty good one, of not only the book but the way in which we find the wine world today, so I am posting it here.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. - 0 Comments

Reception tips and ideas

Oct 29, 2009 - Henry Hager And Jenna Bush Wedding Your wedding will no doubt be the most romantic day of your lives,  it's a celebration of love and commitment.  But it's also the biggest party you'll probably ever throw.  So pull out all the stops and make it a night to remember.  We've researched the top wedding experts to find their best ideas for throwing a fun and unique  reception, while maximizing the romance and tugging at the heartstrings of your guests.  Whether you use one or 10 of them, we hope you will find at least a few new and creative ideas to make your reception even more fabulous.

If you're planning an outdoor event, don't forget to spray the grounds for insects about an hour before the guests arrive.

Skip the huge head table at the reception, share an intimate dinner for two, or share a small table with your parents or children.

Ask your caterer to prepare a late night snack for the bride and groom.  As more often than not you are too busy with guests when dinner is served.

Want to use those disposable cameras on the reception tables.  To avoid having hundreds of the same pictures by turning your guests into creative photographers with a photo hunt.  Leave a list of ten great photos you would like that table to take during the reception.  Photo ideas could include; build a pyramid, group table shot, funniest pose, a guest kissing the bartender or grandparents holding hands.

Don't like the  disposable cameras but still want to get memories captured by your guests?  Set up a docking station so guests can load their photos to your computer on the spot.

Offer your guests one or two signature cocktails that you've personalized with a cute name and your wedding colors.

Want the expensive look of calligraphy for your invitations without the cost?  Calligraphic fonts that look like the real thing are readily available.  Free font sources: searchfreefonts.com, highfonts.com, dafont.com

Have a graphic artist create a custom wedding logo that you can use on printed materials and other elements of your wedding to create a cohesive look. (If you’re artistic you can do this yourself. - 0 Comments

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Small Wine Producers Can Be Great Artists

Aug 19, 2008 - Florence, the home of many of the world’s greatest art, is where I was inspired by the philosophy of Michelangelo. He saw a soul in the block of marble, and felt that it was his duty to liberate it for the world to see. My 11-year-old daughter, Alex, a gifted artist in her own right, understood this artistic sense of duty. - 4 Comments