Category: Wine & Spirits

In the center of Italy situated between Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, and Lazio, the pastoral rolling hills of Umbria quietly offer some of the greatest gourmet treats of Italy. Since the pre-Roman times when the ancient Etruscan civilization settled in modern-day Umbria, this region has been one of the great food and wine centers of Europe. The Etruscans are often referred to as the original gourmets of Italy who would gather in large groups and feast on local delights for days without stop. In fact, some historian cite an overindulgence in food and wine as a contributing factor in the premature downfall of this great ancient culture. Today the region is famous for its black truffles, superb olive oil, cheese, pork products, chocolate and not surprisingly wines.

Beijing Duck is one of the shinning glories of Chinese cuisine. Few dishes attract such universal acclaim and passion from both Chinese gourmets and western connoisseurs. In my line of work, I often entertain internationally famous wine and food experts. When selecting a dish for a mixture of different people with discerning palates, I often choose Beijing Duck. The combinations of quality ingredients, expert preparation and presentation and delicious flavors and texture combinations in this historic Chinese dish never fails to impress my friends.

Few moments in life are more perfect than when a great steak meets the right Bordeaux red wine. The two are quite simply made for each other. Different cuts of steaks like different regions of Bordeaux have there own distinct characteristics, therefore red wines from some regions, or sub-appellations, of Bordeaux are best with certain cuts of steak. This week as we start the Year of the Tiger, in homage to this great carnivore I’ll match the three most popular steak cuts with their Bordeaux soul-mates. For each steak, I’ll suggest top Bordeaux suitable for the most special of occasions and a good value Bordeaux that won’t bust the bank.

When Valentine’s Day is also the first day of the Year of the Tiger, how do we graciously combine the romance of Valentine’s Day with the necessary communal celebration of the Chinese New Year? One deliciously sweet solution is to enjoy chocolate and wine together. In the gourmet world, chocolate has long represented romance while wine is unquestionably the greatest celebratory beverage. The challenge is to pair the two together so they enhance the aromas, flavors and textures of each other. A good start is to follow some long-established wine and food matching truisms. For centuries wine connoisseurs have adhered to the idea that a dessert wine should be just slightly sweeter than the dessert. In general, this is a good rule that works most the time.

Wine loves around the world constantly search for the elusive combination of premium wines at reasonable prices. One problem with wines today is that once a region or producer achieves recognition and fame from the wine press and international competitions the prices of their wines tend to grow exponentially. In my numerous wine presentations, I am fond of saying that it doesn’t really take a great deal of skill or knowledge to pick a great wine if cost is not a consideration; however, getting quality wines at reasonable prices takes considerably more effort and knowledge. One way to reduce the difficulty is to look to the wines of Margaret River in Western Australia. While no longer cheap, the wines from this region still offer a combination of elegance along and value.

Integrating western wines into Chinese dining culture is a challenging yet often rewarding experience. Dim Sum is more than just a meal; it’s a communal and social event. More varied and interesting than the traditional western brunch which first became popular in the late 1800s, Dim Sum is one of the best ways to spend a weekend late morning or afternoon. While Chinese purists may insist on only tea to accompany the numerous dishes, I’d like to suggest something different – wine! But what wines can be enjoyed with Dim Sum? There are several good answers to this question including Champagne or sparkling wine and even a nice rose, but another lovely solution is Beaujolais.

In the west we are fond of making, then often breaking, resolutions for the New Year. The goal of the resolutions is to improve your life. With this in mind, I’d like to share with you my three wine resolutions for 2010 that hopefully will not only improve my wine life, but also be helpful to our readers. I also encourage you to make your own wine resolutions for 2010. Just remember that wine resolutions are fun to make and even more fun to enjoy.

Far too often in China the words affordable and French wines have been mutually exclusive. It’s true that a visit to local hyper or super market will expose you to a plethora of inexpensive French wines from the famous regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, but the brutal truth is that many of these wines are not good. The ability of Bordeaux and Burgundy to make good to great wines is undisputed, but because of their northern climates in many years it is difficult to get the overall grape ripeness without quite a lot of selectivity. Simply put, this means it’s hard for these regions to make good cheap wines. While some good inexpensive wines are made in these famous regions, the reality in many stores in Shanghai is far too often insipid, diluted Bordeaux wines with alcohol content under 12% or excessively sour, undistinguished Burgundies. Francophiles with smaller budgets need not lose hope; there is a region in France that makes affordable wines that will satisfy even the most demanding palates.

The cold January days and nights in Shanghai remind me of the bone-chilling winter seasons in New York. They also stimulate thoughts of red wines that warm the body, spirits and go beautifully with the foods that we eat in the winter. While there are numerous big, rich red wines that are suitable for the cold weather, some of my personal favorites are made with the Mediterranean grape Grenache. This variety originated in Spain where it’s called Grenacha and is now cultivated throughout the wine world. Some of the best examples come from the Southern Rhone Valley, Spain and Australia. Grenache grapes are often blended with other varieties like Syrah, Mourvedre and other grapes and tend to make rustic fruity wines with intriguing peppery qualities. Here are some picks to warm you on a cold day and embellish your winter meals.

With 2010 fast approaching I though it opportune to suggest the perfect drink to bring in the New Year. What else but Champagne! Made from one or more of three grapes, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, Champagne is one of the world’s greatest wines and unquestionably the greatest sparkling wine.