Learning about wine
Cheesecake with pecans and caramel and Moscatel de Setúbal
A few weeks ago, I hosted a wine tasting in Portugal – naturally, with Portuguese wines taking center stage. I had a Moscatel de Setúbal 10 anos in mind for the final wine, to highlight Portugal's other fortified wine. Oxidative...
#166 Wine and food pairing: what works (and what doesn't) with Astrid Joosten
We're recording this podcast from a sun-drenched location: Boerderij Overamstel. What a wonderful spot! We've been invited by Cordier Wines , who are hosting their spring tasting here. None other than Astrid Joosten joins us to talk wine and food....
Potato millefeuille with tomato and truffle steak tartare
It was Christmas 2023 and I had decided to shine with an appetizer. With truffle, of course. I had also just finished watching an episode of Cooking & Messing I saw a recipe on YouTube about tomato steak tartare. That sounded appealing...
Golden combination: Manchego ice cream with cream sherry
It all started a few years ago, on a terrace in Seville. The sommelier on duty gently urged us to try the Manchego ice cream. He could tell from the look on our faces that we weren't exactly thrilled with...
Easy or not? Which cheese goes with which port?
For years, I considered pairing port and cheese an old-fashioned pairing. Everyone does it, so why should I? I've noticed many sommeliers share this opinion. But now I'm going to champion this wine, which has so much history. On to...
More than 50 wine and food pairing tips
This was a blast to make. We asked listeners of Le Club & Sommeljj de Podcast to submit their Christmas menus. The result? Over 80 entries! We've compiled them in our podcast and in this article. The podcast was already...
Just in time, I'm sharing a few last-minute tips for a Sherry Christmas. These tips are also useful year-round, because #makesherrygreatagain. But if you're thinking, "I don't know where to begin with these sherries," here's the answer. Start with the...
Wine and food pairing: Lasagne with chorizo, pear and blue cheese
I first tasted this lasagna in the South of France, at my parents' house, years ago. Just hearing the combination of ingredients made my teenage vegetarian hairs stand on end. And until a few years ago, I would have run...
Which wine goes with mussels? You tell me! There's nothing better than the first pan of mussels of the season. Whether it's enjoyed on the beach, as we used to do (I'm a native of Zeeland) or here on my...
Which wine goes with carpaccio? Carpaccio remains a staple on many menus in the Netherlands. It also often appears as a starter at family dinners during the holidays. But which wine should you drink with carpaccio? A world hit with...
Tour de France: Wine and Cheese at the French Embassy
French cheese and wine tour Round 1: White rind cheese – cow's milk Brie de Meaux AOP Comes from Meaux, east of Paris. Pierre Robert Comes from Ile de France, around Paris. Chaource fermier AOC Comes from Champagne – Aube....
Wine and food pairing: Beef Wellington and Pomerol
Beef Wellington. It's been on my list to make for a while. It looks extra festive on the table; like cutting open a present. I just hope it turns out well and the meat comes out nice and pink. Follow...