Learning about wine
Kodawari is Japanese for the uncompromising pursuit of perfection. It's about love, dedication, attention to detail, and an incredible perseverance. It could be a bus driver applying kodawari to his work, a writer, or, as in the book, a wasabi...
In episode 133, we answer a question from a student: which wines are benchmarks and demonstrate typical expressions of a style or grape variety? In other words: which wines should you taste for an exam? We chat about it for...
Henri Giraud at De Kas in Amsterdam
In the heart of Champagne, amidst the chalk soils of Aÿ, you'll find the Henri Giraud Champagne House. This historic family home, rooted in four centuries of craftsmanship, I I visited for the first time a few years ago . In...
Update 2024: Spanish favorites
After attending Barcelona Wine Week, I saw a different side of Spain. Elegant Monastrell and Pinot Grigio-like Garnacha – who knew they existed? I knew these two grapes primarily as alcoholic wrecking balls, not as refined wines you can't get...
West of Madrid, off the beaten track and away from the well-known DOs, lies Sierra de Gredos. Despite lacking its own DO status, this region is slowly but surely conquering the wine world with its original wines. The rugged, inhospitable...
A wine fan in the Ahr: wines from the Ahr!
The term "microclimate" couldn't be better explained than in the Ahr Valley. Who would expect this small wine region, Germany's northernmost, to specialize in red wines? A few things become clear as we enter the Ahrental Valley. Ahr in a...
A wine fan in Dijon (Burgundy)
Jette van Bergen , a huge wine fan and equally passionate Francophile, shares her favorite culinary and wine-related discoveries in Burgundy. After a short internship at a Burgundy wine estate, her love for France only deepened, leading to a permanent...
Storing port? How, for how long, and why? Le Club des Vins will tell you. It's important to know what type of port you're talking about. A young port—ruby port—can be kept for a shorter time than a wood-aged port—a...
Ah, Burgundy – the region of incredible wines, picturesque villages, and expansive vineyards. A perfect destination for a relaxing getaway. Whether you prefer luxury hotels, charming apartments, or something more casual, there's something for everyone. Here's my pick of my...
The mysterious verduno pelaverga
When we think of Piedmont, we immediately think of Nebbiolo. This red grape variety, grown on the rolling hills of Barolo and Barbaresco, is responsible for iconic Italian wines. But what if we mention that some of those hills are...
Below you'll find a list of my favorite books about champagne. In no particular order, as they cater to different audiences. What they all have in common, of course, is a love of champagne. You might read one book because...
Santorini, one of the Cyclades islands in the heart of the azure Aegean Sea, is a wine lover's dream. And so are some 3 million other tourists, as it's packed during peak season. The island is known for its whitewashed...