Tasting Wines from Bouchard Père et Fils
What to drink and why this Burgundian producer is so special
I had the chance to sit down with Luc Bouchard of Maison et Domaines Henriot, which owns the well-known Burgundy house of Bouchard Père et Fils. Bouchard Père et Fils was started in 1731 and purchased in 1995 by the Henriot group, but it remains a family-owned business driven by quality.
Now Where?
Wine regions in the New World and Old World that are worth the trip
In September 2010, I realized my dream of visiting Madeira, Portugal. Since entering the wine industry and discovering the region, I have been captivated by its wine, geography and history — it was wonderful to finally see it in person. I plan to return soon, for a wine trip and a vacation.
Managing Wine Abuse
How shipping and handling can damage your wine and what to do about it
How much abuse can a wine take? I decided to tackle this reader question from Art in a blog post.
The Greenwashing of Wine
Beware of wines that are not really organic or environmentally-friendly
I used to be a skeptic when it came to organic wines. I couldn’t taste the difference between organic and non-organic, and drinking organic usually meant spending a few more dollars for the privilege.
Sherry, the Forgotten Elixir
Save this fortified wine for the wine geeks who will appreciate it
I love sherry and I don’t really care if you do.
A Word About Scotch
Tasting a selection of Bruichladdich whiskies
I don’t always drink wine. Sometimes I get a little tired of it and need something different to refresh the palate. I drink beer from time to time, but I don’t drink pop anymore — which somewhat limits my spirit options. I’m not judging anyone, but I don’t feel comfortable walking into a restaurant and asking for 2 ounces of vodka neat.
Barraida Wines and an Underground Museum
Visiting Caves São João, Quinta do Encontro and the Aliança Underground Museum
We began our second and final day in Barraida with a trip to Caves São João, which is named after St. John. It was a spectacular December day and compared to the temperatures back home (between -10 and -20 C,) the 8-10 C in Barraida was a welcome change.
Sparkling Wine and Suckling Pig in Barraida
Exploring one of Portugal's lesser-known wine regions
On my most recent trip to Portugal, I was absolutely stoked to participate in a brief side trip to a wine region of my choice. I was asked to rank my preferences among the Douro, Vinho Verde, Bairrada and Dão.
Put a Cork In It
The pros and cons of corks and screwcaps
Most people only think about the cork in a bottle of wine when there is something wrong with it. The dreaded “it’s corked” comment, which frequently encompasses a range flaws that may not be the fault of the cork, often comes up. When the cork works well, we barely think about it.
Alberta's First Single Cellar Auction
A new way to purchase wine for your collection
Most markets in Canada see some form of wine auction — usually, a charity auction. These auctions are typically held to raise money for a charitable foundation or cause and rely on donations from private citizens, wineries and importers.
