In 2017 there were more than 450,000 daily bike trips in New York City, up from 170,000 in 2005. While the increased number of cyclists on the streets of Manhattan provide good PR for the Mayor, the increased bike culture angers pedestrians, citing cyclists who speed, run red lights, shout four letter words, text while […]
Tasting wines, blind
Tasting Blind Wine industry professionals (i.e., winemakers, writers, sommeliers, researchers, educators, buyers, sellers, importers, sales managers) have many ways to spend their days: Harvesting grapes, meeting with customers, researching trends, wine tastings, and, one of my favorites, joining a group for a blind wine event. A few days ago, I spent a grey New York […]
Art + Design. Wit, humor and WOW
In New York, thousands art connoisseurs, collectors, gallery owners (and their staff), interior designers converged on the Park Avenue Armory to raise money for charities. On a few cold November evenings in New York, thousands of well-heeled art connoisseurs, collectors, gallery owners (and their staff), interior designers and others who just like a great cocktail […]
One Caribbean? An Oxymoron
The Caribbean region has been at the top of the news cycle ever since a series of hurricanes poured tons of rain and directed hurricane strength winds against a region previously recognized for its white sandy beaches, blue green water and palm trees. These natural disasters destroyed up to 50 percent of the Caribbean islands […]
Super Heroes and Their Wines
Jason recently introduced me to the Super Heroes of NYC during a 3-hour Super Tour bus journey and walk around Manhattan. Please know that I am not a Super Heroes groupie. As a child, I preferred Zombies and science fiction to Batman and Robin; however, when the invitation to see the not-so-obvious New York world […]
Move Over Wine and Beer. Time for Spanish Cider
Have you become bored with wine and beer? Tired of the stress associated with placing the wine order at the wine shop or determining the appropriate artisanal beer for pairing with dinner at a restaurant? Cheer up! There is a new kid on the block, direct from Spain: Apple Cider. History of Cider It is […]
Wine All Day. No Problem in Paso
Paso Robles (means Oak Pass), CA has emerged as a perfect destination for oenophiles and wanna-bees. Located between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Paso is noted as a US leader in Rhone varietals and offers unlimited access to wines that are equal to or better than wines from any other part of the planet. With 32,000 […]
More than Bubbles and Fizz: Prosecco DOCG
I recently attended a Prosecco Superiore DOCG seminar at A Voce Columbus in New York. The sunny morning was deliciously focused on tasting the marvels of the Glera grape that delivers a crisp, fruity and bubbly taste experience with overtones of almond and citrus, melon, lemons and honey. The event was designed to share the […]
Lebanon Wines: Up – Down – Up
While there may be challenges for travel to Lebanon, there are no problems in celebrating the wines of a country that has been producing wines since the beginning of time. Prophet Hosea (780-725BC) is noted as urging his followers to return to Yahweh so, “they will blossom as the vine, (and) their fragrance will be […]
French Wine Tourism: Gerard Bertrand brings his charisma to the wines of Southern France
Being invited to a Gerard Bertrand inspired Jazz Festival in Southern France is definitely a heart stopper. Images of Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche, Brigette Bardot, Jean Paul Belmondo and Gerard Depardieu parade before me. I envision fabulous wines, delicious cuisine, beautiful people dining in incredibly stunning vineyards as Bertrand (who is movie star gorgeous with a […]