Learning about wine
Wine101: wine words that come up during tasting
"dancing acids provide a great balance" Uhm.... Describing wine isn't easy. It can be so diverse that it becomes difficult to capture your taste in words. And when we talk about taste, are we talking about your personal taste or...
Wine101: What is phylloxera? What is phylloxera? Every now and then it comes up in a conversation with a winemaker or wine seller: phylloxera. "Yes, that was then and there, and all the vines died, and it was a huge...
Methode traditionelle: how is champagne made?
How is Champagne made? What is the traditional method, or "methode traditionnelle"? How do bubbles get into wine? So many questions, so many answers. Sparkling wines like Champagne, Cava, and Franciacorta are made using the traditional method. In short, this...
Besides the many classifications, rules, and exceptions to the rules, the region is extremely fragmented. It consists of many small plots of vineyards. This is a relic of the French Revolution. Before that time, most vineyards were owned by the...
Deep down everyone loves gourmet cooking
Now, I have to admit I'm not always enthusiastic about the whole gourmet thing. That's why I had to laugh out loud at this sharp article . There are a lot of gourmet haters, which I understand to some extent,...
Podere Forte: the pearl of Tuscany
When I arrive, the other guests are already at the table. One moment I'm cycling like a madman along the Meuse River, the next I'm sitting at the table with the high society of the wine world (including Harold Hamersma,...
New Year's Eve. Wow, I would have written this blog sooner, but the stomach flu hit me too. I've slept about 30 hours in three days, so I feel great again. Time for action! 2017 was a good year. For...
The first restaurant on the left in Bolgheri
You might not have heard of Bolgheri before. Perhaps that's understandable, as you have to know the greats before you can truly appreciate this Super Tuscan. It belongs in the same league as Barolo, Burgundy, and Bordeaux (hey, could it...
My day begins at 7:00 a.m. This time, I'm not awakened by the church bells, which I'm practically lying next to and have heard "De Hele Nacht," but by a heavy thunderstorm. Oh well , nothing can ruin this day. I...
A Wine Fan in Tuscany: Five-Day Road Trip
Tuscany ! After a week of relaxing at Camping Viora with Hanneke and Alexander, I'm traveling solo to Tuscany. My adventure begins at Stazione Porta Nuova in Turin. From there, I'll take the high-speed train to Florence. Going here has...
Perswijn 'Le tour de Champagne' – what's in my glass?
For two years running, I've been attending Le Tour de Champagne. I still remember the first time vividly. Dressed in our finest dresses—my fan Hanneke came along—we walked the red carpet at the Amstel Hotel. We immersed ourselves in the...
Where it's normally teeming with people, I'm now standing alone in the Rijksmuseum's vast reception hall. It's Wednesday evening, and I've been invited by KLM and Activin Wine Group to sample some wines. In August and September, KLM is serving...