Category Archives: Uncategorized

Wine Review: Pieropan Calvarino Soave Classico Italy 2014

Posted on February 6, 2017 by waywardwine

Snow still falls in Oregon. But it is February. By now, gray, miserable clouds and soul sucking rain should have ruined countless attempts to enjoy the outdoors. But no. I still freeze and have to worry about whether or not that 1980’s Honda Civic will careen into my car.

Time for a flight to sunny Italy, in my mouth. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged drink, garganega, ice, italy, Opera, romans, snow, soave, sun, theater, travel, wine | 1 Comment

Happy Lunar New Year: Hot Pot and Old White Wine

Posted on January 30, 2017 by waywardwine

Happy Chinese Lunar New Year my internet followers. We decided to celebrate the year of the cock with our fudge on a Japanese classic: hot pot.

I started by soaking dehydrated shiitake mushrooms. Then I caramelized garlic in a pot. Once golden, I added 3 bowls of water to boil. While waiting, I furiously rinsed and chopped bok choy, carrots, enoki mushrooms, firm tofu, and broccoli. I then dolloped miso syrup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, the shiitakes, and a whiff of sriracha into the boil until I could just taste them. Fresh udon noodles and tofu plopped in. After five minutes, I killed the heat and then layered in the veg: crunchy’s first: carrots, then broccoli, bok choy, topped by enoki mushrooms. The lid capped in the steam. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Asia, chapoutier, drink, Food, hot pot, Japan, lunar, lunar new year, moon, mushrooms, New year, wine | Leave a comment

A Gaja Barbaresco Vertical (of sorts) 2006 2010 2013

Posted on January 23, 2017 by waywardwine

Last week, I braved an ice-capped Portland armed with Barbaresco. I just wanted to show two vintages. But to be safe, I requested two samples in case one ended up corked. However, our warehouse accidentally picked 2006, 2010, and 2013. Each run about $230 a bottle. I decanted them that morning, put on my boots, and slid slowly to my first appointment. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged barbaresco, drink, Food, food pairing, Gaja, italy, nebbiolo, Piedmonte, wine, wine job | Leave a comment

My Love/Hate Relationship With Grower Champagne: Marc Hebrart 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut NV

Posted on January 16, 2017 by waywardwine

Grower Champagne has creeped into popularity for at least a decade. That little RM (récoltant manipulant) on the label provided wine geeks another means to stand out from the seething masses. It allowed shops and restaurants to charge more to customers unfamiliar with it. We have all seen and bought the likes of Mumm, Veuve, Moët, Nicolas Feuillatte, et cetera, and know when we are getting hosed. But today’s grower, Marc Hebrart, probably is not on your grocery store shelf. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged alcohol, Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, chardonnay, drink, drinks, Food, France, grower champagne, Marc Hebrart, restaurants, tourism, travel, Veuve, wine, Winery | 2 Comments

Primitivo for Frozen Days: Castello Monaci

Posted on January 9, 2017 by waywardwine

Sick of winter already? Me too. Let us draw the shades, turn up the thermostat, play Hawaiian music, don shorts and a t-shirt and grab a pair of sunglasses. Our wine glass might as well play pretend. I say send it to the hot iron tip of the heal of the boot of Italy: Puglia, specifically Salice Valentino DOC: Continue reading →