Food, Wine and Travel Blog

Irish whiskey can never be pigeonholed. The variety of styles, malts, blends, and price points ensures that there is an Irish whiskey for every occasion. It lends itself to being served neat, with ice, with a combination of mixers or, most excitingly of all, as the cornerstone of a great whiskey cocktail. For while bartenders […]

Which are the best wineries to visit in Tuscany? Sightseeing and wine drinking in Tuscany – is there a more perfect combination in life? Even Bacchus, the god of wine, would envy a road trip through Tuscany’s wine heartlands, marveling at the most spectacular scenery on earth. To taste, drink, and dine exceedingly well, this […]

Cider, called Sidra in Spanish, is produced all over the north of Spain, mainly in Asturias. In Asturias, the main centers of production and apple orchards are around the towns of Nava and Villaviciosa, and also close to the city of Gijòn. In addition to its natural homeland in Asturias, cider also has quite a […]

Recipes with Prosecco Wine Prosecco is not only a delightful bubbly good on its own as well as part of the famed Bellini cocktail; it is also a fantastic wine to use for cooking. Here are a few easy and sophisticated recipes to try your hand at: Scallops and Prosecco Ingredients: 400 grams cleaned scallops […]

The respective merits of Cognac and Armagnac Ask any resident of Gascony which is better: Cognac or Armagnac? “Armagnac, of course,” they will chant. “It slips down just as smoothly as the more heavily produced and marketed Cognac to the north.” That may well be true, however, there are key differences between these two noble […]

Thinking of Buying Wine While in Bordeaux? Bordeaux is more than a wine. It is an interconnected universe of interests, all focused on producing the finest red and white wines in the world. An army of growers, winemakers, researchers, cellar masters, owners, global investors, and consultants dedicate their lives to transforming grapes into a glorious […]

In just over twenty years, a remarkable resurgence in the quality and quantity of luxury Spanish wine hotels has ensured that Spain is now at the forefront of global wine tourism. Pioneers like Marques de Riscal, Abadia Retuerta, and Castilla Termal have given the industry a much-needed boost with their natural talent for delivering precisely […]

Most Visit Villages of Alsace Beautiful scenery, superlative gastronomy, vibrant culture, and world-class Riesling – Alsace has it all. A signposted Route du Vins takes a meandering path the whole length of the Alsace wine country, calling at some of the prettiest wine towns in the world. Between the villages, the high-trained vines block out […]

Cream, apples, and seafood may form the holy trinity of Norman cuisine, but the region’s signature cheeses are the main reason gastronomes flock to this part of France. The former French President Charles de Gaulle, expostulating on the inability of anyone to unite the French on a single issue after WWII, famously grumbled: “You cannot […]

Calvados Brandy a Norman Delight! It’s no secret – at least in Normandy – that Calvados is one of the world’s greatest spirits. An apple brandy indigenous to the French region of lower Normandy, Calvados brandy has for centuries been an essential part of the social and gastronomic life in this part of France. Indeed, […]

Classic Champagne Cocktail Recipes for Xmas Tradition or experimentation? Classical dishes and drinks, or daring new ideas? Christmas is a season that celebrates the best of food and drink, but also poses that thorny question about whether to play it safe or venture into the unknown. Roast turkey with all the trimmings and a top-end […]

Best Burgundy Red Wine To the uninitiated, the hype and furor surrounding red Burgundy and its legendary vineyards must be quite mystifying. Indeed, 21st-century collectors will pay (almost) any price for rare vintages at auction – the wines of Chambertin, La Tache and Musigny often sell for crown jewel prices. The Chinese elite, in particular, […]