Mama Lorette’s Rice Pudding
I inherited two things from my maternal grandmother: my red hair, and her rice pudding recipe. Her name was Lorette Picher, but everyone—from the…
The Upside of Doon
Randall Grahm, celebrated winemaker of Bonny Doon Vineyard, is betting the farm on one big, beautiful idea: terroir. In his new book, Been Doon…
Parla Italiano? Mi dispiace, no.
Il PoggioSangiovese Rubicone IGT2008 The color is ruby purple, and it has a jammy nose, with smoke and earth and tobacco. On the palate…
Bordeaux on Our Table
Chateau La Croix du DucBordeaux AC2007 This 100% Merlot is brilliant cherry red and very clear in the glass. It delivers a funky, earthy…
Deirdre Heekin’s Bitter Alchemy
Deirdre Heekin is a writer, restaurateur, and sommelier. Her new book, Libation: A Bitter Alchemy, is an exquisite chronicle of her journey through…
Flesh and Bones
Villa PozziNero D'Avola Sicilia IGT2007 This wine is a deep, inky ruby in the glass. The nose is plummy and smoky, with scent of…
Sonnets from the Portuguese
Symington Family EstatesAltano Douro DOC2006 This Portuguese red is 70% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) and 30% Touriga Franca (Touriga Francesca). It's a deep red-violet, offering…
Windy Oaks Pinot
Windy Oaks EstateEstate Cuvée Pinot Noir2007 This wine is brilliant red-purple, ringing with clarity. Its nose reaches up with lovely red fruit plus a…
An Elegant Closure
Tonight we stripped the capsule from a Sicilian Nero D'Avola to find the wine stoppered with this lovely closure. It's glass, with a soft…
Wise Beyond Its Years
Thierry GermainDomaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Champigny2006 Brilliant purple, this wine is a jewel in a glass. I pour, and smell first—what? Herbs, maybe,…
An Elegant, Polished Beaujolais
Georges DuBoeufMoulin-à-Vent "Prestige"2003 When poured, the wine is milky and brickish red. Floral and very feminine, it offers a nose of blackberries, lavender, and…
Harvest Meal
Tonight's ingredients, all now underway. Carrots, leeks, and herbs from my garden. Beans local. Cranberries regional (and organic). Chicken that led a happy…