Wine Wednesdays – Mastroberardino White Wine

Greetings from Maine!  I’m enjoying my fair share of lobster, but wanted to pop in to share a wine I enjoyed at a friend’s house during one of our last weekends out East. The 2011 Mastroberardino Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Bianco (such a mouthful from those Italians!) was light, refreshing, well structured and perfectly in balance between fruit and acid.  The varietal is Coda di…

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Wine Wednesdays – Bachelorette Wine Tasting

I mentioned on Monday that I was out on Fire Island for my friend Karen’s bachelorette party last weekend.  We decided to kick off the weekend with a little wine tasting. Favors for the weekend appropriately included Govino wine glasses (decorated with bling), sunglasses, and Ibuprofen for the morning after 🙂 I set up the welcome station out on the back porch which we later…

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Wine Wednesdays – Raphael 2013 Chardeaux

I just got back from my last weekend out in Montauk; how did the summer go so fast??  For our last night of porch-side drinking, my housemate Ethan was sent on a mission to the wine store.  Knowing my propensity for chardonnay, he picked up a blend from Northfork local, Raphael Vineyards. The 2013 Chardeaux is a blend of 90% chardonnay and 10% sauvignon blanc….

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Wine Wednesdays – Pine Ridge 2013 Chenin Blanc + Viognier

This week, a fun new white blend for you!  I picked up this Pine Ridge on the recommendation from the clerk at Bottlerocket, recommended as an “easy drinker” it was different and tasty!  The nose was overwhelmingly honey+vanilla+white flowers.  The first sip was slightly effervescent, light, bright, acidic, with a pleasant balance of citrus, more honey, vanilla, and juicy peach.  The blend of crisp Cheninc…

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Wine Wednesdays – Failla Tasting

This past visit home offered multiple excuses for wine tasting at new-to-me places.  I love exploring my own backyard.  One such experience was an afternoon at Failla Vineyards.  My first experience with Failla was back in March when my Dad introduced me to the label during our trip to Ohio.   He wanted to bring me back to the winery for a formal tasting.  The tastings…

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Summer in the City – Thoughts on the Weekend

What was looking to be a wash-out of a weekend here in the Northeast actually proved to be somewhat nice.  My first weekend in the city since early June, I forgot how magical the city can be on summer weekends.  Your choice of restaurant tables, empty streets perfect for strolling, and with lower than average temps, no humidity and little rain we got to spend…

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Mastering the Cook’s Basics

During my time at home, I took full advantage of my mom’s big beautiful kitchen to try my hand at two of the “Cook’s Basics” that we learned during our time at The Cook’s Atelier.  Bonus points for crossing a fruit tart off my summer bucket list! First up – the Burgundian specialty gougères.  Light, cheesy puffs of air that are traditionally served as an…

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