Block Samples: Other Block Types

Dom Pérignon and Lady Gaga When Lady Gaga recently mentioned the “traces of the centuries engraved on the stone” of a Medieval French abbey, she referred to the birthplace of Champagne, the sparkling wine, and not just any Champagne, but Dom Pérignon. The brand, indeed, evokes images of festive pop celebrities as much as it…

It rolls off the tongue resembling a code that the uninitiated will fail to comprehend, but still invoking something down-to-earth and non-elitist: “Pet-Nat.” It’s intriguing, although saying original French is substantially more elegant. The “pet-nat” wines have become the latest trend to arrive in the world of wine, closely linked with the “natural wine” trend.…

Wine made from the Riesling grape, most often as a 100% varietal, tends to provoke strong reactions. Some love these wines, finding them chocked full of aromatic complexity, with the grape possible of extreme diversity in wine styles. Others disdain Rieslings, finding them overly quixotic and cloying, with a common complaint being their overpowering sweetness.…

It started in the early 1980s, quietly: the idea of pairing wine with chocolate. In 1982, one regional lifestyle magazine referred to how the “rather stultified conventional wine wisdom has it that chocolate ‘coats’ the palate, thus muting the subtleties of the wine.” But the gastronomic revolution had commenced. The article went on to declare…

One acronym says it all: “DRC.” One need not speak the phrase—Domaine de la Romanee-Conti—because everyone in the world of fine wine knows the initials. This Bourgogne winemaker stands, like with the prices of its wines and the financial status of its customers, among the top one percent, perhaps even the highest one percent of…

Learning how to cook with dry white wine can transform your meals into delightful culinary experiences, a true culinary art form. The subtle, nuanced flavors of dry white wine add depth and complexity to a wide range of dishes. Whether you’re deglazing a pan, enhancing a sauce, or marinating ingredients, the use of such wine…

In the history of wine, Moscato carved a long, unique, and fascinating path. This aromatic varietal has captivated the taste buds of both seasoned wine enthusiasts and newcomers. It serves as an enticing entry wine for novices when made in a sweet wine style, and you will find wines called “Moscato” in both Italian and…

Wine has contributed to human culture for millennia, not only in the West but also East Asia. Wine’s rich history plus diverse flavors, aromas, acidity, and sweetness make it a superb beverage for celebrations, relaxation, and especially gastronomic indulgence. Pairing an appropriate wine with the right food elevates both experiences. People have honed the art…

Wine has always had an intimate relationship with time. For much of history, time counted as its worst enemy because after fermentation stopped, aging wine inevitably slid downhill towards spoilage and, yes, vinegar. Since Roman times, people tasted wine mostly to give a simple thumbs up or thumbs down, good or bad, wine or vinegar.…

Wine and cheese pairing is a gastronomical art form that has delighted palates for centuries. The harmonious interplay between the flavors and textures of these two beloved indulgences can become not only a source of endless fascination but also an art form. While traditional pairings like red wine with crumbly two-year white cheddar or Sauvignon…