Category Archives: Food

Catalan cuisine: Cooking with “Chef Isma,” Ismael Prados Soto

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Carolyn Blakeslee

What better way to learn about Catalan wines and cuisine than to experience a cooking class? As part of my tour of Cataluña, I did just that. Our guide and chef was the talented “Chef Isma,” Ismael Prados Soto. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberino, Cava, Food, Spain, Tastings, Tempranillo, Travel | 1 Comment

Some Languedoc cattle enjoy wine in their daily rations. Good MOOD, better tasting meat.

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Carolyn Blakeslee

Now here’s an interesting wine geek article! French farmers are experimenting with feeding cattle wine — puts them in a good MOOD, increases milk yield, makes meat taste better. Each lucky bovine is receiving 1-1.5 liters/day/animal, the equivalent of 2-3 … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, France, News, Technical Stuff | Leave a comment

RECOMMENDED: Two from Murrieta’s Well. The Whip, 2011 white blend; The Spur, 2009 red blend. Around $15.

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Carolyn Blakeslee

The Murrieta’s Well winery name is based on Old West history: Joaquin Murrieta, a.k.a. “Zorro,” would steal horses from northern California and run them down into Sonoma or Mexico, watering them from the artesian well on the property en route. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Food, Gewurztraminer, Malbec, Merlot, Orange Muscat, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Red Blend, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Tastings, Viognier, White Blend | 1 Comment

Wow, what a grand idea, with or without the popsickle stick. Enjoy!

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Carolyn Blakeslee

This recipe, by Joy the Baker (Joy Wilson), looks like one of the most delicious to come down the pike in a long time: Bite-sized Baked Brie. This link came to my attention from Ben Carter, friend and blogger extraordinaire … Continue reading →

Posted in Food | Leave a comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Château La Bonnelle, 2008 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. Around $22 but you can find it on sale for $18-19. 13.5%.

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Carolyn Blakeslee

This beautiful red Bordeaux is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sounds simple enough, but somehow the vintner managed to turn it into an unusual, very interesting, highly aromatic wine with the heady bouquet and taste of flowers including violets … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Food, France, Merlot | Leave a comment

Hey, kids! Check out this restaurant’s wine list: It’s the Frugal Wine Snob’s dream come true.

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Carolyn Blakeslee

In Gainesville, FL, The New Deal Café is the sister (and next-door) restaurant to Mildred’s Big City Food. Mildred’s has a fairly extensive wine list and they sponsor tastings from time to time. The New Deal Café is less expensive, … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Restaurants, South Africa, Syrah/Shiraz, Tastings, Tips | 1 Comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Flipflop 2010 Pinot Grigio, California. $7; available for as little as $4.99. 12% alcohol; 3.63 pH

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Carolyn Blakeslee

We live on a farm. Recently, after a long, hot Florida day that included five hours of mowing, I wanted something refreshing, cold, fortifying yet fun. And WOW, did I ever get it. This unexpectedly huge wine, the Flipflop 2010 … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Food, Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris) | 4 Comments