The Penfolds name is synonymous with winemaking in Australia. This year, Penfolds celebrates 170 years as a pioneer in the industry. Penfolds wines run the spectrum from affordable every day wine all the way to the iconic Penfolds Grange. This wine exemplifies the true terroir of South Australia. Grange generally retails for roughly $800 upon…
As we bid a fond farewell to yet another summer season, let’s celebrate with a true labor of love – a great glass of wine paired with our favorite summertime treat! Whether you are firing up the grill this holiday weekend or having a picnic on the beach, we have you covered with an array…
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (SLWC) became one of the premiere California wineries after its 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon took home top honors at the 1976 Judgement of Paris in its respective category. This prestigious recognition put America on the international wine map. For nearly two decades Stag’s Leap enjoyed a tremendous following and accolades from critics and consumers…
The 2013 Abbazia di Novacella Kerner from Alto Adige, Italy is this week’s feature wine. Kerner is a an aromatic white grape that was created in 1929 by crossing two German grapes (Riesling and Trollinger). Abbazia is one of the world’s oldest wineries dating back more than 800 years. It was founded by the Augustinian Order of Canons…
Join Sommelier Crystal Cameron, owner of Crystal Palate on this unique and elegant cruise on a Viking Long Ship through the south of France the week of October 4, 2015. Arrive in Marseille and be transported to your ship. Cruise from historic Avignon on the scenic Saône and Rhône Rivers to Chalon-sur-Saône. The 8 day…
Succulent, sweet lump crab meat paired with a rich, full-bodied Chardonnay is simply a match made in heaven. The bright lemon notes in the wine bring out the sweetness in the crabmeat and the luxurious mouth-coating quality of an oaked, slightly buttery Chardonnay makes this an outstanding pairing with crab cakes. Drizzle a little butter…
It looks like mother nature has an interesting sense of humor. We are expecting a foot of snow in coastal Virginia. Since I will be snowed in for the next few days, I will need to get creative with my Paleo Pairings this week. Tonight, my meal was inspired by a nice bottle of Barbera….
Butternut squash soup with toasted sage and crabmeat is a classic fall dish. When it comes to wine for this hearty, decadent and creamy soup, I typically reach for a nice Chardonnay aged in french oak to accentuate the baking spices in the dish, but I always like to mix things up a little with a…
Chicken Lettuce Wraps paired with a bright, effervescent Vinho Verde is an excellent pairing on a warm day. Vinho Verde comes from the Minho provence along the coast of northern Portugal. Vinho Verde is not a grape varietal, but rather a region. The term Vinho Verde means “green wine.” There are more than two dozen permitted…
When it comes to food, there’s nothing better than a hearty Italian meal shared with family & friends. I have such a passion for Italian cooking and believe it or not there’s so much more than bread and cheese. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore cheese, but we all know it’s not Paleo friendly….
Asian five-spice is a staple in my pantry, it adds so much flavor to so many dishes. This five-star soup recipe takes chicken soup to a whole new dimension. The great thing about this soup is that you can pretty much add as many veggies as you like. I like my soup with an extra…
I was inspired once again by my spice cabinet tonight. I reached for my 5 spice (star anise, cinnamon, clove, fennel, sichuan pepper), chicken and a bunch of veggies and whipped up a great stir fry and paired it with Evolution. Evolution is a blend of 9 grapes (Pinot Gris, Riesling, Muscat, Gewurtzraminer, Muller-Thurgau, Semillon,…
I am revamping my favorite roast chicken recipe and making it Paleo friendly for today’s Paleo Pairing by substituting an olive oil rub for my herb butter and I am also nixing the mashed potatoes. 16 days of a dairy-free, grain-free diet hasn’t been as difficult as I thought it would be. It does however…
Sautéed garlic shrimp paired with a crisp refreshing Albarino from the Rias Baixas region of Northwest Spain. Albarino is an indigenous varietal to Spain, most are fermented in stainless steel. It’s one of my go to summer wines. They offer a tremendous value and they come alive with white flower, bright citrus and a touch…
I always like to say that food and wine pairings are a lot like a marriage. They can bring out the best or worst in each other, so you better choose wisely! My passion for wine and food just so happens to bring out the best in my husband Tom Schaad. He is a news…
