In America, the Fourth of July celebrates the anniversary of the day we declared our independence from Great Britain. In France, July 14th celebrates the historic day the oppressed citizens of France stormed the Bastille – a prison and citadel that stood as a symbol of the hypocrisy and corruption of the aristocratic government – and declared their independence from the repressive rule of King Louis XVI…. continue reading
When I was growing up, the Fourth of July meant ice cold watermelon, neighborhood cookouts, a parade down Main Street, and – of course – fireworks at the local community college. And beer. Lots and lots of beer.
But that was then. Today, wine is a familiar site at backyard barbeques and picnics across the country. So celebrating the birth of our nation with an assortment of red, white and rose wines is now as American as, well, Zinfandel!
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Let’s play a little wine-related word association. What is the first thing that you think of when I say “Portugal?” Port, you say? Naturally. But I bet you didn’t think about value-oriented red wines. And you would not be alone.
CLICK HERE to LISTEN to this week’s Wine of the Week segment on WTOP Radio
Father’s Day is this Sunday, and if you are looking for a memorable gift for the wine-loving dad in your life, think about giving him a present that just might last longer than a bottle of wine… like a book about wine! And just in time for Father’s Day, there are several new books that appeal to a wide range of “tastes.” Here are several recommendations that will keep dear old dad entertained long after a bottle of wine is empty.
Portugal, a thin strip of land roughly the size of Indiana, is located on the Iberian Peninsula in Western Europe. Spain literally wraps around the northern and eastern borders while the cool Atlantic Ocean lies to the west. The temperate waters of the Gulf of Cadiz form the southern border. Although grapes are grown throughout the country, the most notable wine producing districts are located inland, away from the maritime influences of the Atlantic. The main red wine producing region in the north is the Douro Valley, best know for growing Touriga Francesa and Touriga Nacional, the two main varietals found in Port wines.
It’s getting a tad warm out there, and one of my favorite styles of wines for summer sippin’ is Rosé. But, I have to confess, I actually drink Rosé wines all year long. I just use the excuse of warmer weather to enjoy them more often.
CLICK HERE to LISTEN to this week’s Wine of the Week segment on WTOP Radio
Memorial Day is upon us, and with it comes the hallmarks of Friday backups on the Bay Bridge and sunburned tourists on the Mall. Summer is about to get real in Washington. And while we can expect that it will get a tad hotter and a lot more humid around here, we can also expect that many of us will be doing a lot more outdoor grilling this season.
This week’s Wine of the Week topic was proposed by none other than our very own Hillary Howard. She has decided to expand her palate and has asked me to research a few of the better wine clubs to help her on her wine journey.
I get the feeling that the word “can’t” is simply not in Christi Coors Ficeli’s vocabulary. And while beer – Coors, to be precise – may be in her DNA, wine is definitely in her soul.
After spending time in the wine business with Gallo Wines, Christi was bit by the wine bug. But she really had her “ah-ha” moment in 2002 while sipping a glass of T-Vine Contra County Grenache at the bar in Bistro Jaunty in Napa. She turned to her fiancé Dave Ficeli and said, “One day, we’re going to do this.” At that moment, they both knew that they wanted to settle down in Napa Valley, make wine and raise a family.
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and for those of you how have not picked up flowers, or diamonds or pearls for the mom in your life, don’t panic… yet! You can say it all with a bottle of wine. Yes, wine.
