Category Archives: Wine + Food

A Cheverny for All Seasons: Domaine du Salvard

By Christopher Matthews A lingering late-winter cold spell here in the northeast US probably has most folks still jonesing for substantial comfort food dishes, paired with big, hearty reds to wash them down. This is a natural — and laudable … Continue reading

Posted in At Our Farmhouse, Wine, Wine + Food | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Wine Media Guild Explores Portugal

By Christopher Matthews During its long history, especially during the Age of Discovery, Portugal has been known as a nation of explorers, something that allowed the (then) small kingdom to punch far above its weight for centuries as a colonial … Continue reading

Posted in NYC Events, Restaurants, Wine, Wine + Food | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seriously Delicious: Foggy Ridge’s “Serious Cider”

By Christopher Matthews  It’s cider season in the Hudson Valley, and I have lately been gathering the materials – and fruit – to make my own (now) annual production. This process has taken me several times to Half Time Beverage in … Continue reading

Posted in Beer + Cider, Wine + Food | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Inspiring Bordeaux “Quartet” at the Wine Media Guild

By Christopher Matthews Normally, the Wine Media Guild of New York’s annual Bordeaux lunch takes place in January, when the Union de Grand Crus de Bordeaux’s (UGCB) show comes through town as part of a national tour. But January’s unpredictable weather … Continue reading

Posted in New York City, Wine, Wine + Food | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rosé Champagne at the Wine Media Guild

By Christopher Matthews Cross one of the bucket list…   After years of work conflicts and scheduling bad luck, I finally made it to one of Ed McCarthy’s annual December Champagne tastings for the Wine Media Guild of New York … Continue reading

Posted in NYC Events, Restaurants, Wine, Wine + Food | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gaskins’ Got It Going On

By Christopher Matthews In the micro-hamlet of Germantown, in southern Columbia County (NY), Gaskins is a pulsing farm-to-table boîte in the middle of a small, but vibrant, business district.  As its second anniversary approaches, this “tavern” has clearly hit its … Continue reading

Posted in Hudson Valley, Local Food, NY craft beverages, Restaurants, Wine + Food | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Blaye Bargain: Chateau La Croix St. Pierre

By Christopher Matthews Mention Bordeaux to someone, and chances are that Blaye does not come to mind. Perhaps it will in the future, as this large district within the greater Bordeaux wine region, a.k.a. Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, is a … Continue reading

Posted in Hudson Valley, Wine, Wine + Food | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Champagne Collet: Stylish Bubbly

By Christopher Matthews Champagne is a big deal in the US, which is the second largest market outside of France for the iconic French bubbly (the UK remains first). And not only does it comprise over 20% of the total American sparkling wine market, … Continue reading

Posted in New York City, NYC Events, Wine, Wine + Food | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Peak Etna Value: Barone Di Villagrande Rosso

By Christopher Matthews Of the many favorable spots to grow grapes on Sicily, the most compelling district for me is the Etna DOC, in the shadow of Europe’s tallest — and very active — volcano. Endowed with mineral-rich volcanic soils, intense sunlight and cooling sea … Continue reading

Posted in Wine, Wine + Food | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bordeaux Chateaux “Punching Above Their Weight”

By Christopher Matthews Bordeaux Chateaux that “punch above their weight” was how Wine Media Guild (WMG) member Mark Golodetz framed the WMG’s recent, annual Bordeaux walk-around tasting and lunch, held at Il Gattopardo in Manhattan. As the traditional member-sponsor of … Continue reading

Posted in NYC Events, Restaurants, Wine, Wine + Food | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment