Is summer over yet? Please?? I know I complained about that weird cold and rainy early July we had
Read More
This June, Camilla from Culinary Cam has invited the #WinePW crew to explore wine and cheese pairings. Any cheese, any wine, any region our hearts desire! You can read her invitation post here. If you're reading this in time, join us for our Twitter chat on Saturday, June 10 at 11 AM EST and tell us about your favorite wine and cheese pairings! I love cheese. And when I say I love cheese, I mean that I LOVE cheese. If the choice came down to chocolate or cheese, cheese all the way. I also have an entire auxiliary freezer for cheese (and pork because, you know, I live in
Read More
Hello spring! You have finally graced us with your presence. Huzzah! This month I say Happy Birthday to several very good Gemini and Cancer friends, hopefully the Universe grants them a great wine! What will they - and you! - be drinking this month? Read on to find out! Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) You may be feeling unsure these days of what will make you happy. Don't fall into a black hole and shut yourself away from people while you figure it out. Now is not the time to shy away from the love and affection people are trying to give you. It's okay if you don't know right this
Read More
If you've had only a few Georgian white wines, chances are pretty good that it was Rkatsiteli, that most ubiquitous of Georgian white grapes. I've never particularly enjoyed it, myself, and actively avoid it. Even through my infrequent trips to Georgia though, I've seen a rise in less common grapes (both white and red) and find many of them so much more enjoyable. Like Chinuri. Chinuri The Chinuri grape seems to originate in Kartli, which is very near Tbilisi. Greenish-yellow to amber when fully ripe, it is fairly disease resistant even to phylloxera and can often be found planted on its own roots. Berries are fleshy, juicy, and sweet with
Read More
Amber wine has quietly existed in Turkey for a number of years with previously off the radar, small producers like Gelveri. Then, a few well-placed and larger name wineries like Chamlija, Paşaeli, and Kastro Tireli released skin contact wines. In many ways, the amber boom here resembles the rosé explosion. Sure, there's always been rosé. But then a handful of years ago everyone started making it (whether or not they personally like it) because that was the selling trend. And so it seems, amber follows in the wake of pink. Despite the work from Mediterranean wineries like Tasheli and Selefkia, Göküzüm still flies largely un-talked about. A pity, in
Read More
Markogianni was not a winery with which I was familiar. A friend recommended this wine and, really, as soon as I saw the label, I was sold. Vorias (Βορέας) god of the north wind and Helios ( Ἠέλιος) is of course, the god of the sun, two things that influence their vineyards, are beautifully depicted in their label. Then I drank it. This one wine was all it took really to sell me on the whole winery. I cannot wait to get back to Athens and snap up as many different of their wines as possible! Located to the far west of the country, near the Ionian sea and
Read More
It sure felt like spring had sprung during the second half of February. Even my crocuses are blooming! But my experience both here and being from a northern state says that we shouldn't get too comfortable yet and that winter may once again rear its cold, snowy head. It likely won't be pretty when it does! Especially not for me as I've already been enjoying wine on my balcony. What have I been drinking? Well, you'll have to check previous blog posts for that! What will I - and more importantly you! - be drinking this month? Just read on to find out! Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) Aquarius, do
Read More
Wine trends may come late to Turkey, but when they comes they do it with a vengeance. One of the most recent to sink its teeth in has been that of "natural" wine. And we all know how I feel about that. The next person who emails me to say they're coming to Turkey and want wine recommendations but "I/we only drink natural or at least biodynamic wine" I will hunt down this person and punch them in the face. So, please, don't send me that email. Small rant aside, let's talk about the Kastro Tireli Hermos line. Kastro Tireli's wines have always been "natural" adjacent as the winery
Read More
Summer is definitely in full swing and we have the hot temperatures to prove it! Are you absolutely melting or hiding inside with your AC? Most of the year, I complain about having to walk up all the stairs to my flat but around now I start appreciate being higher up and being able to catch the breeze. Since it is so hot, I'm drinking a lot of white and rosé. I'm eyeing some of my lighter reds as well though, remember that so many of those can be chilled! What will you be drinking in August? Read on and find out what your horoscope suggests! Aquarius (January 20 -
Read More
It's December and Christmas is around the corner!! Is your tree up? Mine is and this year it's covered with a new selection of wine label ornaments! So far not even naughty Dr. Watson has attempted to climb it. Perhaps she'll received more than a lump of coal in her stocking this! What does your horoscope say you should try drinking in December? Read on and find out! Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) Take this month to stop and check in with yourself. How has the past year affected you? Often we blow off a lot of the external things in our life and don't pay attention to how much
Read More
