Category Archives: Dining

A Surprise for a Sixty-Year Old

Posted on December 19, 2016 by thewineraconteur

Surprise parties are always very tricky to plan and require some clever maneuvers to carry them out. One of my cousins had celebrated her actual sixtieth birthday in November, but with Thanksgiving and a wedding, the milestone had been eclipsed … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Canyon Oaks, Chardonnay, Colombard, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Vista Point Vineyards, White Zinfandel | Leave a comment

Ill at Ease

Posted on December 11, 2016 by thewineraconteur

If you haven’t noticed, we like to go out to eat, especially with friends. One night we went with some friends to a restaurant that they enjoyed and immediately I felt like a fish out of water. I am not … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Australia, Barossa Valley, Grant Burge, Grenache, Mourvedre, Shiraz, South Australia, Syrah, The Holy Trinity | Leave a comment

21’st Ladies Party

Posted on December 7, 2016 by thewineraconteur

The first Friday in December is the date for an annual event at our house, it is the Ladies Christmas Party and it is always a full house. The funny thing is that for years I always had worked on … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Alain Jaume & Fils, California, Chardonnay, Chateau Grand Traverse, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine Grand Veneur, Grenache, Kirkland Signature, Michigan, Mourvedre, Rhone Valley, Riesling, Sonoma County, Syrah | 2 Comments

I Kvelled

Posted on December 5, 2016 by thewineraconteur

The other day, I had lunch with a former co-worker and it was a pleasure. Years ago, in that industry, the common vernacular that one heard was Mamma Loshen or Yiddish, and today Yiddish is heard quite a bit and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Carignan, Coteaux du Languedoc, France, Grenache, Jeff Carrel, Languedoc-Roussillon, Les Darons, Syrah | 5 Comments

At the Hotel

Posted on December 1, 2016 by thewineraconteur

With the long holiday weekend, the Louisville family came for Thanksgiving. They almost need a bus with all of the family members, luggage, electronics, gifts, assorted items and wine they utilize every square inch of their vehicle. They stay at … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged California, Chardonnay, Chateau St. Jean, Crianza, Ramon Bilbao, Rioja, Sonoma County, Spain, Tempranillo | 1 Comment

Thanksgiving Dinner

Posted on November 29, 2016 by thewineraconteur

It was a Thanksgiving of note, on many levels. While I was carving the turkey, there was an eruption that could have caused tremors on the Richter Scale, the Detroit Lions won and were in first place for their league. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chateau Cheval Blanc, France, Insignia, Joseph Phelps, Merlot, Napa Valley, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe "A" | 6 Comments

Thanksgiving Morning

Posted on November 27, 2016 by thewineraconteur

If it is the morning of Thanksgiving, I can tell you assuredly, that all the gifts have been wrapped and bundled by families, the Christmas Cards and newsletters have been posted and so have any parcels of Christmas gifts. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Asolo Prosecco, Bartenura Wines, California, Cardiff Vineyards, Chardonnay, Germany, Glera, Italy, Johan Klauss, Kirkland Signature, Liebfraumilch, Moscato, Prosecco, Provincia di Pavia IGT, Qualitatswein, Rheinhessen, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

U of M vs. Iowa

Posted on November 25, 2016 by thewineraconteur

While I was attending my cousin’s son’s wedding, I received a message from my wayward friend The Caller. I never know when he is going to send me text messages, but it usually is interesting, non-the less. He and his … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Douro, Dow's, France, Jean-Charles Boisset, Kirkland Signature, Medoc, Merlot, Mourisco Tinto, Portugal, Raymond Vineyard & Cellar, Sousao, The Inaugural R Collection by Raymond, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cao, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Vintage Porto | Leave a comment

An Extravagant Cameo

Posted on November 23, 2016 by thewineraconteur

We went to the cinema the other day. Let us suffice to say that there is a fan extraordinaire of the Harry Potter books and films in this house. I even went so far as to think about a magician’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Argentina, Belleruche, Bodega Tamari Reserva, Cinsault, Cotes du Rhone, France, Grenache, M. Chapoutier, Malbec, Mendoza, Rose, Syrah | 2 Comments

Changes at my Club

Posted on November 21, 2016 by thewineraconteur

Almost every month I write about my dinner club and a wine that I find interesting to go with dinner. There are some months that I don’t mention the club, usually because the restaurant that the hosts pick have nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining | Tagged Corvina, Italy, Molinara, Monte Tombole, Rondinella, Valpolicella Superiore, Veneto, Villa Erbice | Leave a comment