by Nevin | Jul 16, 2021 | Wine Terms
Spanish Tempranillo (temp-ra-knee-oh) is the most popular wine grape you’ve probably not heard of.. especially if you’ve hung close to only French or Italian varietals. Believe it or not, Tempranillo is the 3rd most planted grape in the world behind...
by Nevin | Jun 30, 2021 | Beer History
White wine and cocktails are great during the summer but they most likely will ensure a nap if enjoyed in the daytime sun or with breakfast or lunch. This is where the Belgian Wit shines. What is a Belgian Wit? A Belgian Wit or “White Beer” is an...
by Nevin | Jun 21, 2021 | Wine Terms
The movement towards organic, sustainable, and biodynamic wines have led us full circle to the world of Natural wines. These wines are made with grapes we are familiar with like Riesling and Pinot Noir, but the wines are “unchained and wild” in their...
by Nevin | Jun 9, 2021 | Beer History
We’re almost at the official start of summer and things are heating up! With all of the outdoor activities and long hangs by the pool come the need for a summer drink that quenches while it relaxes. The summer Shandy and Radler are the answer to how to take a...
by Nevin | May 28, 2021 | Food Pairings
Memorial Day weekend is a chance to remember what our brave servicemen and women sacrificed, so that we can freely gather with our friends and family to enjoy quality time, food, and wine. The best pairing for late spring’s weather is grilling and BBQ! If...
by Nevin | May 21, 2021 | Food Pairings
Many are familiar with the old adage “white wine with fish, and red with meat.” This is a mess of a statement because it excludes rose and sparkling, forgets that some red wines can pair wonderfully with certain fish, and forgets that fish is a meat too. ...
by Nevin | May 12, 2021 | Beer History
For those that know of Barley Wine, you may be asking, why mention it in late spring? For others the question is no doubt, “What’s Barley Wine? Is that a wine made from barley? Gross.” Rest assured Barley Wine is not grape-less wine, and I will make...
by Nevin | May 7, 2021 | Wine Terms
A bottle of wine is a living and breathing piece of art. Evolving from barrel to bottle, and from first pour to last, wine is changed by countless factors that make a difference. Temperature, light, movement, position, and humidity all play a part in wine’s...
by Nevin | Apr 30, 2021 | Wine Terms
The spring sun is shining, fun fruit is coming into season, and Sangria just makes sense. I first tried Sangria 20 years ago on La Rambla in Barcelona. I’ll never forget the beautiful, bulbous, fruit filled pitcher that found my table. I tossed a few Euro on the...
by Nevin | Apr 29, 2021 | Wine Terms
It’s both a blessing and a curse that Merlot was branded with a bad rep in the late 90s and early 2000s. I don’t like seeing such a wonderful grape get trash talked, but when it happened, the passionate Merlot producers made better and better Merlot, while...
by Nevin | Apr 26, 2021 | Beer History
Today in the beer world it seems the words “bourbon barrel-aged” are in front of every beer that’s not a lager or an IPA. Why are bourbon barrels being used, and what does it all mean for beer? Brief History Of Beer and Wooden Barrels Wooden barrels...
by Nevin | Apr 21, 2021 | Cider
When most Americans hear “cider”, their first thoughts go to Martinelli’s Sparkling at Thanksgiving, or Angry Orchard bottles and college parties. To a European or any nation connected to the United Kingdom, cider means much more. What Is Cider?...
by Nevin | Apr 18, 2021 | Wine Terms
The varied, and beautiful world of Rosé is just starting to be appreciated in America after years of negative press and connections with White Zinfandel, boxed Franzia, and cheap brunch spots. Many people don’t know exactly what Rosé is, so it’s hard to...
by Nevin | Apr 14, 2021 | Wine Terms
One of my favorite varietals to show up at a dinner party or BBQ with is Malbec. Whether it’s French or Argentine Malbec, it’s dark, velvety, and always a crowd pleaser. Malbec is lighter in tannin than Cabernet Sauvignon, and brings more weight to the...
by Nevin | Apr 11, 2021 | Food Pairings
As the weather warms up, so do outdoor grills. Best to be prepared with beers that really make your burger experience special. The classic American burger is now enjoyed by billions around the world and the best beers to pair with them, all happen to be American....
by Nevin | Apr 8, 2021 | Wine Terms
Whether you’re just finding your way into dry red wine, or are a connoisseur of all styles, Pinot Noir is the grape with potential for you.. Potential for what? Pinot Noir has the maximum potential for variance, potential for food pairings, potential for ageing,...
by Nevin | Apr 6, 2021 | Beer History
For most consumers the words; beer, ale, and lager all seem interchangeable. Some may make a connection between British pubs and ales, while others may notice that Germany and lagers are frequently mentioned together. But what exactly are ales and lagers? ...
by Nevin | Apr 3, 2021 | Food Pairings
Tomorrow is Easter, and Passover is coming to an end soon. This means that lamb will be on the menu for millions of Catholics, Christians, and Jews around the world. Some will prepare it on the grill and others will take their time with a roast, but whatever your...
by Nevin | Apr 1, 2021 | Food Pairings
I spent many of my formative years in the Baltimore/ DC area enjoying world famous blue crab. As a kid I paired it with lemonade, and as a college student I looked to a cold Yuengling. Now that I’m deep in the wine and craft beer worlds, I realize there are so...
by Nevin | Mar 23, 2021 | Wine Terms
For anyone that’s ever paused to take in the complexity of a glass of wine, I’m sure the question has arisen, where does the aroma come from? The aroma of wine comes from a wide array of volatile and non-volatile chemical compounds found in grapes, the...
by Nevin | Mar 20, 2021 | Beer History
Happy Orval Day! Today we celebrate the legendary Trappist Ale crafted by Orval. This unique Belgian Pale ale has a massive cult following around the world but what makes Orval so special? What makes Orval so special are its history and qualities. It has its own...
by Nevin | Mar 19, 2021 | Food Pairings
Mushrooms and wine have been enjoyed together by Europeans since both wine could be crafted, and mushrooms foraged. Used as an ingredient in everything from omelets, burgers, pizza, and pasta, mushrooms can assist a dish, or be the star of a meal. What makes them so...
by Nevin | Mar 17, 2021 | Food Pairings
Happy St. Patty’s Day! Today we explore some beers for any form of corned beef you may be enjoying.. From a full plate of beef with carrots and cabbage, to a pastrami Reuben from your local 100 year old Jewish deli, there are a handful of beer styles that will...
by Nevin | Mar 15, 2021 | Beer History
It would seem the current reigning beer style with craft beer enthusiasts around the world is the IPA. Brewers are using countless experimental hop varieties to push the envelope on aromatics and bitterness, but where did this all start? What exactly is an IPA? What...
by Nevin | Mar 12, 2021 | Wine Terms
The term dry is often used on wine bottles, in cooking recipes, and even in beer commercials, but what is it trying to convey? How can a drink be dry? It is a conundrum indeed, but you may notice that it’s mainly used to describe wine and beer. This is a clue....
by Nevin | Mar 11, 2021 | Food Pairings
March 11th is Popcorn Lovers Day. Whether you love classic buttered or have a sweet tooth and need that caramel or chocolate, there’s a beer that does more than just wash it down. With wine you get the amazing pairing of Chardonnay based Champagne and buttered...
by Nevin | Mar 9, 2021 | Wine Terms
You may have started to see “New World Wines” on the wine list as a category or heard someone mention this after they pull their nose out of a glass. What is the “new world” and how can one determine it from smelling a wine? Old World Wine To...
by Nevin | Mar 6, 2021 | Uncategorized
“Le temps ne respecte pas ce qui se fait sans lui” “Time does not respect what is done without him.” Sour beer has become all the rage. With kombucha now a common word and tart beers en vogue, it seems the global palette is stepping out of...
by Nevin | Mar 5, 2021 | Uncategorized
If you’re a red wine lover and wondering how you can enjoy it year round, in all weather, and with all seasonal food, there are certain grapes you should know. What Is A Light Red Wine? Light red wines are made from grapes that have certain qualities that come...
by Nevin | Mar 3, 2021 | Food Pairings
For over 100 years Girl Scout Cookies have been a seasonal treat that millions look forward to. This year you may not see your local troop with a booth set-up due to the surreal conditions of the times, but it doesn’t mean they don’t have goals to meet....
by Nevin | Mar 1, 2021 | Wine Terms
“What on earth would make wine non-vegan?” It’s grape juice right? As vegan culture blossoms and innovative restaurants break through the “vegan food is boring” stereotype, winemakers around the world look to build trust with their...
by Nevin | Feb 26, 2021 | Beer History
Choose, but choose wisely.. Beer has been brewed and enjoyed for thousands of years. For 99% of that time, it was not consumed from glassware. Glassware was only available to the wealthy until the 19th century. Up until that time beer was consumed in metal, earth-ware...
by Nevin | Feb 25, 2021 | Wine Terms
You may hear the word “tannins” pop up while enjoying a bottle with friends or reading a wine review, but what are tannins? Tannins are also known as tannic acid and are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds found in plant materiel. They are in the...
by Nevin | Feb 23, 2021 | Food Pairings
National Chili Day is only a few days away.. The forth Thursday in February marks an opportunity to pay tribute to the greatest competition food of them all. Few can agree on what goes in “proper chili” but none can argue on what goes best with chili....
by Nevin | Feb 17, 2021 | Food Pairings
February is when seasonal green vegetables and herbs reign supreme. This late winter month provides arugala, avocado, bok choy, kale, spinach, artichoke, broccoli, celery, brussel sprouts, leeks, and collard greens. While all of these are very healthy, they are also...
by Nevin | Feb 13, 2021 | Beer History
Mardi Gras is only a few days away and then lent is upon us. Over 1.3 billion Catholics will observe this season of abstinence and limiting or cutting out alcohol are popular choices. Bavarian monks would beg to differ. For well over 1000 years monks have brewed beer...
by Nevin | Feb 10, 2021 | Food Pairings
There may be no cuisine as varied, complex, and exciting as Thai food. Bold statement I know. Sure there may be countries like India that use higher numbers of spices in recipes, but when it comes to having a spectrum from light and fresh, to decadent and rich,...
by Nevin | Feb 5, 2021 | Food Pairings
This Valentine’s Day you could go with the heavily marketed red wine or champagne with a box of chocolates approach, or you could delight in a match more made in heaven! Wine can offer you fruit with your chocolate, but beer is basically carbonated, malted...
by Nevin | Feb 4, 2021 | Food Pairings
The big game approaches and this year you may want to explore the world of wine with your decadent and varied feast. Where to start? Wine defininately has more of a chance for error and clash when you throw jalapenos, buffalo sauce, and sweet bbq into the mix. Rest...
by Nevin | Feb 1, 2021 | Food Pairings
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” Charles Shultz Wine and chocolate on Valentine’s day can be the perfect prescription for those in a relationship, as well as those spending the day of love alone....
