Food, Wine and Travel Blog

Italian Aperitif Italians of all stripes owe the Piedmontese a debt of gratitude. Not only is this spectacular region responsible for the creation of the Slow Food Movement, but it is also the birthplace of the aperitivo. Far better than the Colosseum, Vatican, or even the Sistine Chapel, this evening ritual of sipping pre-dinner drinks […]

Burgundy’s legendary blackcurrant liqueur Every gastronome, sybarite, and bon viveur owes Burgundy a monumental debt of gratitude. No other region has given so much in return for so little. No other French wine region takes the art of winemaking and gastronomy more seriously. From Dijon to Chagny, Burgundy is a food and drink paradise, not […]

What is Barolo Chinato? Barolo. It’s a word that elicits instant excitement from sybarites and collectors – Nebbiolo finds its most dazzling expression in the Langhe hills, on the calcareous soils found east of La Morra and surrounding the village of Barolo itself. At its best, Barolo is a tannic masterpiece of finesse and balance; […]

After a period of bartender and consumer indifference, vermouth is now achingly trendy again. “Me pones un vermut,” or “give me a glass of vermouth” is a phrase you’ll hear constantly in Spain. Indeed, there is nothing more in vogue than sipping vermouth in tapas bars across the Iberian peninsula, while the Italians have long […]

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 […]

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 […]

Recommended Cocktail Recipes from Spain- Liven up your dinner parties! Riotous, colorful celebrations are very much a part of Spanish life, and no Spanish party is complete without a great selection of beers, wines, and cocktails. Indeed, alcoholic (and non-alcoholic) drinks are an integral part of Spain’s gastronomic and cultural traditions; the country has been […]

10 Iconic Italian Cocktails by Ivano Martignetti Mastroianni’s class, Sean Connery’s style, Humphrey Bogart’s charm- these icons always seemed to look their best at the bar counter, where an elegant barman served impeccable cocktails in Martini glasses or pure crystal tumblers. A world away from the tacky bartenders and plastic glasses we sometimes have to […]