Spice and smoke are a challenge for wine. Personally, I find that all but the lightest red wines clash terribly with spicy and/or smoky food. Many people do like the combination, but I find that type of food just magnifies the...

, even enjoyable in the first few months after overheating. But as it ages, the damage becomes increasingly apparent. The stewed fruit aromas and flavours become more pronounced. And not only do the components — the acid...

a reservations just an hour before, the receptionist couldn’t manage to find our name in her book. She kept running back and forth, talking to various staff members, trying to figure out if she could seat us. It stretched...

’s strengths. François, the French partner who managed the front of the house, departed recently. The atmosphere is now more sedate than had been reported in the early press. Since closing his other restaurant, Rob’s Rib...

the pickling oriented ones do well. Fresh herbs that I have bought this year came from Union Square farmers market and I pull grape leaves off an inmature vine we have for some extra tannins (although this year I think...

to histamines. tannins, or both. Some people have an allergic reaction to sulfites, but the usual symptoms are puffiness, respiratory problems, and shock.

I’m back trolling this board since we too will be in Italy again in October. Last year, although the $ was faring a little better, we managed to spend about as much as we do here in NYC, travelling to Venice, Ravenna,...

are NO CORKAGE), The Grill on the ALLEY, Mimosa (2.50ea person?), Morton’s (0-15 depending on the managers mood), Pastina Trattoria (0-10 depending on the owners decision,call first)Cafe Camillia in Bellflower(8-) to name a...

", I mustered up my best imitation of Gallic attitude to say, “a la e-mail!”, at which point she conferred with the manager, and they decided to seat me. No wine for me this meal, however the list was 2/3’s...

Jason, I suspect more than clonal selection it’s varietal vigor. Sangiovese grows like kudzu, faster than fast. It can take all your efforts simply to manage foliage that shoots out a few feet overnight. The vine constantly...

managed this way. Very dark in hue with aromas of minerally earth, black truffles, oolong tea, and black cherries, firm tannins were indicative of the hard vintage, yet there’s plenty of ripe dark fruit and complexity to...

after a few moments of decanting. Good fruit. Carmel Road – Pinot Noir 2005. Concentrated cherry, earthy fruit, rose hints and roasted almonds. Smooth tannins, "LUSH!!!" J. Lohr – Cabernet Sauvignon 2005. Excellent with...

have never been to this Nugget, it is truly the most beautiful elegant grocery store, complete with a wine tasting bar. Once the tasting was done, I asked the department manager if she had any suggestions for dinner. She...

and the food were just not that welcoming. If one of the three wait staff or the manager had smiled once, I might have felt like they wanted my business. Maybe I caught the kitchen and the staff at the grim end of the lunch...

the wines by Solar de Randez, out of Rioja, all show a distinct orange rind note as well as red fruits and spices. The crianza has a brightness to it’s acidity that would match the boldness of the flavors, but a riper...