There are so many wines that can be drunk with a Thanksgiving meal – why not be purposeful with your choice? I am always touting lesser-known wine varietals and regions, and Thanksgiving is a great time to seek out ones that may have personal connections…
updated 2/2/20 What will you be drinking this year? I’ve been asking myself this question as the annual “Trends” columns started appearing. I held a tasting on just this topic at my Philly wine bar, Jet, and included “New Regions” (e.g. British Columbia), “Classics with…
I’ll soon be heading back to one of my favorite areas of Italy: the Maremma. It is a beautiful part of Tuscany, including a large portion that borders the Tyrrhenian Sea. As always, I’ll be working in Ansedonia at the ancient Roman site of Cosa….
Is it possible to “Drink like a Pilgrim” and remain true to the resources available to the early Colonists? No. No, it is not. But if, like me, you enjoy wine with your Thanksgiving meal (or any meal, for that matter) follow me for some…
Joan of Arc lived a short, eventful, and ultimately tragic life in the 15th century AD. She was famous for her piety, her seemingly brilliant military strategy, and the witty repartee she exhibited at her heresy trial. She is also famous for her death, which…
The Democratic National Convention convened in Philadelphia this past week, bringing with it the historic nomination of Hillary Clinton as the US’ first, female presidential-nominee for a major (i.e. Republican or Democrat) party. While it *is* historic — given that she is the first — it is ridiculously-long overdue….
There is something compelling about Riesling. It almost never fails to raise questions: do I like this? is it sweet? is it not sweet? is that… banana? The grape and its wine generate intense debates regarding its “flaws” (e.g. petrol) and its “perks” (mouth-puckering acidity)…
Petit Verdot (PV) happens to be one of my favorite grapes for single-varietal wine. Why? I love its pretty, purple nose with little, white flowers and touches of violet. I love its spice-mix of fresh tobacco, allspice, and cedar. I love its plummy cherry/blackberry deep-fruit…
Archaeology is a fascinating field that makes for a wonderful career. We uncover the material worlds of people to whom no modern links may exist. We ponder questions of their existence, interactions, and cultures. My archaeological work has taken me to live in Syria, Turkey, Iraq,…