Learning about wine has become a personal obsession and I am currently studying for my Level Two Sommelier certification, having passed the Level One exam. Here I detail what I have learned from my studies as well as from visiting various wine-producing regions around the world. You will find a plethora of posts containing specific bottle recommendations along with general wine education and plenty of cocktails mixed in, for good measure. Have a wine or cocktail-related question? Reach out to me via the contact tab. I am always ready to discuss my favorite beverage. Cheers!
As a child, watermelon was always an ‘outside food.’ Willie, Allison and I would line up on the steps of our back porch, watermelon triangles in hand, our little teeth crunching into the fruit, our faces, fingers and clothes sticky and pink as we let the watermelon take over. Years later I still cherish the purely-summer practice of eating watermelon by-the-slice …
I could try to make this cocktail overdrawn and complicated. I could manifest a story of it’s origin, some elaborate tale of how it was conceived. In truth, the somewhat cheesily named ‘Pink Paradise’ cocktail was a thrown together concoction of what we had on hand both sitting out on our bar and the sole juice in the fridge. After …
Z and I at Bodega Salentein in the Uco Valley The serenity in the air buzzes with an undercurrent of excitement. We are in the small hamlet of Chacras de Coria, located just 20 miles south of Mendoza and nestled right in the heart of Argentina’s most prominent and burgeoning wine country. Best known for the magic they spin with …
It’s been just over two years since we visited Argentina. After five incomparable days in Buenos Aires, we traded the metropolitan energy for the peace and serenity of Mendoza, Argentina’s most renowned wine region. We toured a variety of wineries during our time in Mendoza, slowly making our way toward the Andes, the flavors of the grapes evolving as we steadily …
Guess who was given a video camera for Christmas?!?! Z and I are very excited to begin incorporating vignettes to foodie-girl.com! This process does not come without a steep learning curve so we are starting small and toasting our new method of expression with this tasty and refreshing citrus cocktail. Vodka, cointreau and simple syrup are brought together by a …
Champagne and New Year’s Eve… there are few things more synonymous with one another. It will come as no surprise to you that I find champagne to be appropriate for any and all occasions. There is something about a bottle of bubbles overflowing into a fluted glass, the effervescence shooting precariously to the rim, and then dissipating and settling into …
It’s almost that time again… time for a day filled with tradition, thanks-giving and copious amounts of eating! But while everyone is discussing what to cook for Thanksgiving dinner, what we drink with this very special meal can often be overlooked. If your Thanksgiving is anything like mine, it involves a day of togetherness – cooking coupled with lounging during …
It all began with two innocent sentences: ‘We’re talking about White Burgundy or, as the French labels read, Bourgogne… and a good portion retails for under $25. The grape variety is invariably Chardonnay.’ Wait, what? I thought White Burgundy was some uber-fancy, revered white varietal that I would be lucky to get my hands on – was it possible I …
Have you ever heard a ‘Mary Caroline’ story? Chances are, if you’ve met me in person, then the answer is yes. And I bet you are chuckling now, recalling these funny tales of a supremely kind, innocent girl from Spartanburg, South Carolina. Mary Caroline and I met the first week of school during our freshman year at Centre College. Her peppy …
We were drinking old-fashioneds long before Don Draper poured that mid-afternoon drink. Legend has it that this bourbon cocktail was created right here in Louisville, by an ingenious bartender at the Pendennis Club. They make a good one. For me it’s a benchmark – one that few, if any, others have been able to meet. I’ve never really had a …
