I have been fortunate to have sampled a lot of alcohol on my travels around the planet, ranging from regional beers, to homemade rice wine, local concoctions in various villages including illegally made home-wine in a remote Iranian dessert village and some truly special beverages that were memorable due to their quality, pedigree and age along with external factors including companions and location. But there are a few drinks I count as being the especially significant; these are five of our most memorable drinks enjoyed to date. Rum punch infused […]

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I was recently in Fort Lauderdale and of all places in a very touristy part of town I stumbled into a bar with multiple screens playing American Football and was surprised to find Chapulines (certain type of grasshopper) on the menu among a variety of ‘normal’ American foods. I’ve been thinking about the general lack of demand for edible insects in this country and seeing this on the menu made me think even further. Of course I ordered the Chapulines – they tasted about the same as the ones I’ve […]

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The Pebble Beach Food and Wine Weekend is only in its seventh year yet remarkably it seems like it should be much older than that. In such a short time it has become the West Coast’s premier food and wine event. It is an intriguing pairing – matching some of the world’s best wine with top chefs in a location that is visually stunning. The inspirational rugged coastline and natural beauty is the backdrop for a long weekend of decadence and at times, temptation to overindulge! The event is also […]

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The Trinidad Scorpion is currently the hottest known Chili pepper on the planet. It is native to the Moruga district on the tiny island nation of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. I acquired a few seeds earlier this year. I saw references online from those cutting up a number of these particular peppers indicating they wore latex gloves. The potency of these peppers was such that they wore through these gloves! I finally picked my first Trinidad chili pepper today – I poked it with a pin and put […]

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The Napa Valley is the only region in the world where I can go to an event and feel right at home because I know so many people and instantly recognize so many faces – and that feels good. Flavor Napa valley is the latest in a number of world-class food and wine events to come to Napa. This is only its 2nd year; the event features five days of incredible food, wine, and education. Tonight was the “Appellation” tasting at the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) highlighting 113 Napa […]

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We spent the evening enjoying two fine Napa restaurants. Usually I’m perfectly satisfied with one meal but on this one evening we opted for two full course dinners at two different restaurants! First we popped into the new restaurant Charlie Palmer Steak at the Archer hotel but didn’t eat anything. We then hit up Eiko’s on 1st Street, downtown Napa. This is a restaurant that specializes in authentic Japanese cuisine including seasonal dishes and fresh fish. There’s a nice vibe here that feels more like a big city – somewhere […]

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The first ever tasting of the Napa Valley Mexican-American Vintners Association was held Saturday July 30, 2011 at Maldonado Vineyards in the far northern reaches of the Napa Valley. This was the best tasting we’ve attended so far this year in Napa. Very personalized, great wine – dignitaries came up from Los Angeles, a historic tasting. The association is fairly new (2010). It was formed after a number of vintners poured their wines in Mexico at the Michoacan State Fair and collaboratively recognized the need to have an organization that […]

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Another successful Sense Yountville was held on a beautifully sunny warm Saturday May 7th under the “big white tent” at V Marketplace 1870 in downtown Yountville. This, only the third annual “Sense Yountville” has already become the appellation’s premiere wine & food event. Thirty wineries were represented offering their pre-release wines and large format bottles, and culinary pairings were provided by local restaurants. Highlights included (Blankiet Estate making their first appearance at this tasting), Dominus, Gemstone, Tom Scott, Tor Kenward, among others. This is a rare opportunity to meet either […]

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The California Cabernet Society’s annual Spring “Passport to Cabernet” tasting will be held Monday May 2 at the Bently Reserve from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. Tickets are $45. This is a rare opportunity to barrel taste the latest 2010 harvest from over 75 producers, as well as taste their newest releases while speaking with the actual wine makers and winery principals. The member wineries are heavily based in Napa. Several of the producers present aren’t open to the public and rarely are at public tastings. The Bently Reserve is the perfect […]

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This is a last minute event for Napa Valley California residents or those in the area, or those wanting to help support the Japanese Tsunami relief effort. Rising Sun, Raising Support Thursday, April 21, 2011 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CIA Students, Faculty and Staff Invite You to a Feast of Japanese Cuisine and Wines of the Napa Valley to benefit The American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund Location: The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone 2555 Main St. St. Helena, CA 94574 Join us for […]

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After running into Scott Lewis a few days ago, the owner of V Wine Cellars in Yountville (where we have tasted with a number of producers over the years), we were reminded of a special event coming up on May 7th. This, only the third annual “Sense Yountville” has already become the appellation’s premiere wine & food event. Thirty wineries are represented offering their pre-release wines and large format bottles, and culinary pairings are provided by local restaurants. Arguably Yountville is the culinary hub of Napa Valley and principals, winemakers […]

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This is a guest post from Rachel who runs Central Coast Foodie in San Luis Obispo, California USA. In regards to her mention of Capirinhas – we’ve been making those this week and using Germana, a traditional Brazilian Cachaca. Perhaps this is too strong a Cachaca, it certainly doesn’t taste like the awesome ones I had down in Sao Paulo – if anyone has other recommendations let us know? This drink sure requires a lot of sugar! *** Happy Mardi Gras from San Luis Obispo! Tired of winter and ready to […]

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The First Taste of Yountville was held during the Premier Napa Valley week a few days ago to capitalize on a number of trade who are in town. This annual event is held by the Napa Valley Vintners’ and is their Annual Mid-Winter Barrel Auction for the Trade This premiere tasting featured some of Yountville’s finest vineyards and wines. It was held in the old barrel room of what used to be Groezinger’s Winery which is now V Marketplace, a collection of fine boutique shops and restaurants including Michael Chiarello’s […]

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After returning from Brunei and a quick day of rest we set out for the jungles of Khao Yai National Park and part of Thailand’s “wine trail”. GranMonte Vineyards located in the heart of the small Asoke Valley was the highlight of our day. This winery was founded by Thai couple Visooth and Sakuna Lohitnavy. Their daughter Visootha (or Nikki) is Thailand’s first female winemaker (only in her 20’s, she has many harvests ahead of her). The entire family was behind the counter pouring their wines over the weekend – […]

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During the last 15 years I have been visiting, tasting and reviewing Napa wineries (The Napa Wine Project). This project to date has reached 10,000+ hours, 1,030 visits, tastings and extensive reviews of unique Napa Valley based wineries, producers or tasting rooms; eventually I have to write a book about this unique experience. During the project I met Emil Tedeschi, owner of Tedeschi Family Winery and I have been working here when I’m in town for the past several years. Emil makes excellent wines (lower alcohol, food friendly red wines) with a […]

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