by Sean Ludford | Jan 20, 2017 | Spirits, Wine
When you read about Sherry and Brandy de Jerez you will undoubtedly encounter the term Solera. Increasingly we also seeing solera on the labels of other spirits such as Rum. Also, Italy’s famous Balsamic vinegar – the good or real versions – are aged in a similar process. A solera is a unique aging method that blends younger wines or spirits with older in...
by Sean Ludford | Dec 28, 2016 | Wine
Bubbly is welcomed on any day and at any hour. If you are waiting for a special occasion to enjoy a glass of bubbly you need to make some serious life changes today! Bubbly can make any day feel like a celebration and I can’t imagine kicking off a dinner with friends without bubbly. Of course, many will continue to associate bubbly with weddings,...
by Sean Ludford | Sep 28, 2016 | Wine
When you are seeking wine values I suggest that employ the Famous Neighbor Strategy (FNS). The FNS is an easy one to follow. You find a wine appellation that you love but cannot afford to drink on daily, or weekly, basis. Chances are that these wines are also famous. Instead of waiting for a special occasion to enjoy this favorite wine you could look...
by Sean Ludford | Sep 6, 2016 | Wine
Learning the wines of Spain could take a lifetime and what a life it would be. Spain being a peninsula with the Pyrenees to the north along the French border, the Atlantic to the west, and the Mediterranean to the east and south with influential rivers and high, arid lands in the country’s center. Spanish wines have changed significantly in the past few decades....
by Sean Ludford | Aug 31, 2016 | Beer, Food & Eating, Wine
Somehow the calendar got set to fast-forward and now Labor Day weekend is soon upon us. It is widely believed that Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer but I’m not having any of that. Before the winter scarfs are taken from storage and the snow blower is tuned for winter I have more summer living to do. It’s time for new traditions...
by Sean Ludford | Aug 2, 2016 | Food & Eating, Sean’s Rant, Wine
The subject of corkage fees in restaurants has been a topic of great debate, for both restaurateurs and patrons alike, for many, many years. In fact the circumstance of navigating the corkage topic has been the source of some of my most uncomfortable moments – from both sides of the negotiating table. In truth, I rarely bring wine to a restaurant other than those...
