Tag Archives: Paris

New Year Sparkling Wine: Champagne vs Cremant de Limoux and Loire

Posted on December 30, 2015 by waywardwine

And so it ends not with a whimper but a bang. We cannot leave Paris without cracking a few more bottles of bubbly. No 191 day EU Austerity Drinking Tour could finish France without value Cremant or Champagne.

For a mere €15.00 we find true, actual, not Prosecco, Champagne from Champagne, France (specifically the village of Buxeuil in the region’s southern extreme). Grower André Diligent et Fils created this Brut: Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Austerity, Bertrand, Brut, Champagne, Cremant, Diligent, drink, EU, Europe, Food, France, Limoux, New Years, New Years Eve, Paris, Review, travel, wine | 4 Comments

Last Tango in Paris: Saint-Chinian red blend, Saint Joseph Syrah, and the Paris Opera

Posted on December 28, 2015 by waywardwine

This is the end. Our seven month, thirteen country EU Austerity Drinking Tour finally, achingly, grinds to a halt. 188 days of tasting Europe’s best value wine, whiskey, and beer has trialed our sanity, budget, and marriage.

But today the SNCF takes us from Reims, Champagne to Paris: Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Blind tasting, drink, Food, France, Opera, Paris, Paris Opera, Saint Chinian, Syrah, travel, wine | 3 Comments

Free Tasting & Happy #HugelDay November 14th @BlackBirdWines

Posted on November 14, 2015 by waywardwine

Celebrate all that fantastic France is by enjoying the nationwide celebration of Alsatian wine producer Hugel today, November 14th. Blackbird Wine Shop will pour five scintillating whites from 2-5pm for free in Northeast Portland. Be there!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged #hugelday, Alsace, Alsace France, France, free tasting, Paris, riesling, White wine, wine | Leave a comment

Torbreck, Cuvée Juveniles, Barossa Valley, Australia 2010

Posted on January 30, 2014 by waywardwine

Forget Yellowtail. Forget Crocodile Dundee. Forget everything you know about Australia.

Instead, put your mind in Paris. Get off at the Pyramide Metro, not far from the Louvre. Wiggle your way to 47 rue de Richelieu, and then, behold: Juveniles:

Now think of Scotland. Because inside you will find fantastic British farmhouse cheese, charcuterie, and Haggis always on the menu. Tim Johnston, a Scot ex-pat, founded it decades ago.

But now, turn to South East France, because Juveniles is a wine bar, and gained its cult following for pouring the Rhône Valley’s best wines. But then, Tim shocked Paris. He poured Australian Shiraz.

Your head may be spinning, but follow the thread. Australia grows Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and other varietals typical of the Rhône Valley. Many vines predate the French (thanks to dodging phyloxera). And what would pair better with haggis for cult Rhône drinkers than Shiraz. Continue reading →

Posted in EMPTIED BOTTLES, Grenache | Tagged Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley, Craig Isbel, Dave Powell, David Powell, Grenache, haggis, Juveniles, Juveniles Bar, Mouvedre, Paris, Shiraz, Syrah, Tim Johnston, Torbreck | 1 Comment

Counting Down: How to Crack Champagne for New Year’s Eve

Posted on December 26, 2013 by waywardwine

The countdown begins. Eyes watch the ball drop. 3. 2. 1.

Corks crack open, impale an uncle, and flutes fill with Champagne. It disappears just as quickly. But between the hugs, huzzahs, resolutions, and regrets, you wonder: was that $40 plus bottle of Frenchness worth it?

It tasted fine. Maybe a bit tart, or a bit fruity, or a bit toasty. But memorable? Maybe it was too cold. Maybe the excitement distracted you. But we here at Wayward Wine blame New Year’s Eve. Continue reading →