by Michael Hunter
After last year's, Hungarian Wine Roadshow 2015 traveled through its second tour successfully again.This year, the largest Hungarian wines show’s team met with the wine experts in 3 different cities - New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco in 8 wine bars.The European wines almost always associated with the Italian and French wines. The popularity of the wines of Hungary in the heart of Europe with excellent and varied lands, are going back to the Middle Ages. The French and Russian king both considered the Hungarian Tokaj Aszú as the best wine of the world, XIV Louis called it the wine for the kings, the king of the wines.The guests of the Hungarian Wine Roadshow could got to know this centuries-old Hungarian wine traditions and their unique wines. The wine experts could taste 10 diff...
by Michael Hunter
Which white or red wine was the American wine experts’ favorite one?The answer also surprised us!This year the Hungarian Wine Roadshow 2015 presented one of the oldest wine culture to hundreds of wine lovers in 8 stations. Hungary in the heart of Europe could give a very special gift to the wine lovers thanks to its excellent and varied lands and climate.During the Roadshow, participants could taste Hungarian wines that can be found nowhere else in America. From the white wines 4(Lovassy Tokaj Furmint, Lovassy Tokaj Muskotály, Günzer Villányi Mont Blanc and Lajvér Avantgarde Szekszárdi cuvee Blanc) and from the red wines 6 (Mészáros Szekszárd KékfrankosMészáros Szekszárd Merlot, and Lajvér AvantgardeSzekszárdi Bikavér , and Lajvér Avantgarde Szekszárdi Cabernet Savignon...
by Eve Hunt
Wines have a prominent share in the history of mankind. If you will turn back few pages from the history, you will get to know that how important drinking wine was considered during that time. In ancient Greece, those who did not drink wine were regarded as barbarian. The term barbarian was used to describe people who were uncivilized or inferior.People at that time used to follow simple wine making recopies and usually would make it at home. Let’s have a look at some of the famous ancient wines:Lora: It was a bitter wine made from soaking the grape skin husks, seeds and any other product left from the mashing process. As per the Greece literature, this wine was generally served to slaves or old women. Today these leftover grape products are used in the process of distillation of the liq...
by Andrew John Chalk
You have toured Napa’s famed Highway 29, right? The wine trail where it takes 45 minutes to cross the road in the summer (such is the traffic)? Well, an attraction billing itself as the “#2 Wine Destination in America” is taking shape just south of Dallas. It is the “290 wine trail” or “Wine Road 290”.The term “290 wine trail” is my own. The name refers to the stretch of U.S. 290 between Fredericksburg and Johnson City.The term “Wine Road 290” is copyrighted and owned by a corporation with the following details: · Started by Gary Gilstrap from Texas Hills Vineyard in 2008, with cooperation with 8 other wineries. Now the wineries include from East to West; Texas Hills Vineyard, Hye Meadows, William Chris, Pedernales Cellars, Woodrose Winery, Hilmy Cellars, Becker Vin...
by Nicola Boarer
English wine is not only winning awards against some of the world’s most famous names in the world of wine, but now it also boasts its very own wine tour from London.The very first English Wine Tasting Tour took place last Sunday 31st May, the perfect end to English Wine Week. After all the celebrations of English Wine throughout the week, it seems only fitting that it should end with a visit to where it all begins.Nicola Boarer, Founder English Wine Tasting Tours said ‘’The first tour appealed to a real mixed bag. Some cool 20 somethings who had heard about English Wine, but hadn’t really tried it. A couple on secondment from Korea, who wanted to make the most of their time in England and get out and enjoy all that it has to offer. Some Kiwi’s who’d done wine tours in Aust...
by Paul Tonacci
There is no shortage of great things to be said about wines that come from our state. One quality I was surprised to discover recently is an enduring spirit of cooperation and stewardship for the growing local wine industry. It’d not be unreasonable to assume that each winery would be about as friendly to one another as two competing pizza places in a small town, which is to say, not very but that’s hardly the case I’ve learned in most places. I was fortunate to sit down and have a brief interview with general manager, Tim Schlitzer, and winemaker Mike Groch of Cream Ridge Winery in Cream Ridge, NJ who shared what’s special about their operation and how it’s thriving today as they celebrate 30 Years of Winemaking in New Jersey. Started by pioneering couple Tom and Joan Amabile ba...
by Frank Whitman
I like wines made from the Chenin Blanc grape. They have an appealing mix of exotic fruit flavors, brisk acidity, and (in some cases) a surprising depth and complexity that takes a step up from every day refreshers. In France white wines of the Loire Valley and Vouvray in particular are the old world standards. There are scattered plantings of Chenin Blanc across new world wine regions, but South Africa is where it has really caught on. Chenin Blanc, long established there, is the most popular and widely produced white wine in the country. Also known as Steen, the grape accounts for almost a third of total South African plantings and is made into a variety of wine styles from sweet to dry. South African winemakers, in a bid for their place on the world wine stage, have improved quali...
by Ron Kapon
I bet you are asking yourself why is Ron on a wine tour? I do teach wine & spirits at two universities. I did co-author the Fairleigh Dickinson University/NY Times Knowledge Network on-line wine course. I do write about wine & spirits for many print & on-line publications.photobanda I believe as many people as possible and recent statistics proved my point should share wine. The U.S is the world’s largest wine market and sales have been growing at 2-3% rate for the past 21 years. The 3PM meeting spot for my tour group was Grano Trattoria at 21 Greenwich St (corner of 10th Ave). I checked to see which subway stop was closest & I accidentally got Greenwich Street not Avenue. I realized my mistake & found the correct directions. It seemed two of the participants made the same mistake & show...
by Gabriella Owens
This pizza is one of Rick’s creations and a delicious one at that. Make the wine reduction sauce ahead of time, since it takes at least an hour to make. The wine reduction sauce will make the dough soggy, so it should be drizzled on right before cutting and eating.1 Herb Pizza Dough1 Tablespoon Cornmeal1 Tablespoon Olive Oil1/2 Cup Grilled Steak, Cut in Small Cubes3/4 Cup Onions, Sliced3/4 Cup Mushrooms (about 6 medium), Sliced1 Tablespoon Butter or Olive Oil (for sautéing)1/4 Cup Crumbled Blue Cheese1/4 Cup Wine Reduction Sauce (recipe below)Sauté onions and mushrooms in butter. Preheat pizza stone to 450 degrees.Roll out the dough on a floured board. Sprinkle cornmeal on peel. Gently shake extra flour off dough and put on peel.Brush dough with olive oil. Arrange steak, sautéed onion...
by Bob Ecker
Article: The Rosé CompetitionBy Bob Ecker May 2, 2015Includes Full Award ListYears ago I was fortunate enough to visit Provence and enjoyed many fine, pale, fragrant rosé wines in the cafes of Arles, Uzes, and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence among other delightful spots. The balanced Bandol and other rosé wines were perfect for warm or hot afternoons – just like in California. It was like drinking sunshine in a glass. When I returned home I sought out American rosés and found a very few “modern” wines, that is, good dry crisp and tasty rosés unlike the preponderance of sweet, weak and mass produced “blush” wines of the past. One of the first excellent dry rosés I encountered was from SIMI Winery in Healdsburg. Others of note came from Napa’s Peju, Bouchaine and the Hess Coll...
