Taylor Eason « TaylorEason.com: Foodies unite

Wine Review: Domaine du Tariquet 2010 Classic Cotes du Gasgogne

Taylor Eason | February 20th, 2012

This luscious, slightly sweet and delightfully affordable white wine blend from France’s rather obscure Côtes du Gasgogne region in the southwest could be the best intro for those new to wine. The Grassa family uses grapes called Ugni Blanc [OOO knee blahnk] and Colombard [CALL um BARD] to make Domaine du Tariquet Classic but they formerly produced Armagnac — a spirit made by distilling grapes — from the same fruit. I’m glad they made the switch.

Winemakers' opinion: What foods pair with Zinfandel wine? (video)

Taylor Eason | February 15th, 2012

I went to the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers Festival in San Francisco with one mission: to find out, once and for all, what food pairs with Zinfandel from the people who make the juice. This grapes is often low in tannins and acidity with a reputation for hefty alcohol… what would these winemakers say? I got the goods from nine winemakers and principals, from tiny producers to large. The answers might surprise you…

Wines for Valentine's Day: For romance, love or massacres?

Taylor Eason | February 13th, 2012

Sexy, sultry, sensuous, luscious — ever wondered why these words are used to describe wine? Could it be that wine leads us down the road to romance? To desire? Wine certainly pairs with Valentine’s Day. But does romance have to rule the day on Valentine’s? What if this Hallmark holiday conjures up bitterness and resentment rather than romance? For the “singles” out there, it might be black and depressing. So I started wondering about how this day has become inextricably linked with romance.

Wine reviews: Terra d'Oro 2009 Barbera and Terra d'Oro 2008 Sangiovese Amador County

Taylor Eason | February 10th, 2012

I applaud the cojones that California winemakers are growing. Instead of blending in obscure red varietals that grow so extraordinarily well in this state (see Tempting Tempranillo), they slap grape names like Aglianico and Sangiovese on labels now. In a society that generally wine shops by comfort zone, that’s pretty daring. You may have heard of Sangiovese, the grape found in all Italian Chiantis, but Aglianico [ah LEE ahn EE co] is one of those sleeper grapes even most wine writers have to look up or study for the CSW exam. Aglianico is one of the world’s oldest wine grapes (think Romans swilling), originating in southern Italy’s Campania wine region near Naples. Amador County, with its dry, arid climate, mimics the weather in Campania so the fruit’s success there makes sense. That, and a slew of Italian settled there during the Gold Rush so the vines have been thriving there a while now.

Wine review: Fattori Danieli 2010 Soave DOC

Taylor Eason | February 6th, 2012

The Fattori family has been farming their hillside vineyards since the turn of last century, when Antonio Fattori planted vines near a village called Terrossa. Currently, Antonio’s grandson, Antonio Fattori, is the winemaker at the winery, who, in addition to four Soaves, produces a sparkling wine, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio.

Recipe: Cuban inspired Picadillo

Taylor Eason | February 3rd, 2012

There might be some Cuban grandmothers who would cringe at my interpretation of this classic Cuban dish. But this is how I like it: I chucked the raisins (raisins with ground beef? Yuk!) and deleted the cinnamon (a spice reserved only for desserts in my household). Picadillo is so freakin’ simple and cheap, it can be a weeknight staple served over white or brown rice with a salad.

Wine review: Rocca Sveva 2009 Soave Classico

Taylor Eason | January 31st, 2012

While most people think Pinot Grigio is the white wine of Italy, I beg to differ. Softer and rounder, Soave white wines from northeastern Italy complement a wider range of food, have an exceptional depth of flavors, and are quite versatile. Like the Rocca Sveva 2009 Soave Classico.

Soave: Move over Pinot Grigio, here come some of Italy's best white wines

Taylor Eason | January 30th, 2012

I haven’t tasted many Soave white wines from Italy; maybe because Italy isn’t particularly known for high quality white wine. When you think Italian wine, Chianti, Barolo and Super Tuscans pop into your head, right? Maybe Pinot Grigios? But so many of these popular, light-bodied whites exported to the U.S. feign quality disguised in pretty bottles. Pinot Grigios aren’t white wines Italy really boasts about yet. But Soave [so-AH-vay -- same way it’s pronounced in the video, by the way] just might be the next big thing out of Italy since the Super Tuscan was born.

Wine review: North by Northwest 2010 Riesling Horse Heaven Hills

Taylor Eason | January 24th, 2012

I admire when a winery steps outside the annoying conservative boundaries of the wine industry. Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon fame (an interview with him), The Three Thieves and their ground-breaking Bandit wine in a small box and chalk up another win to the folks at Oregon’s King Estate (reviews of their other wines), who created this Washington State-based project, North by Northwest. These guys have the chutzpah to do things differently.

Affordable everyday Wine review: Smoking Loon 2009 Zinfandel California

Taylor Eason | January 16th, 2012

When people talk about “everyday” wine, I’ve sometimes wondered exactly what they mean. Is it a wine that goes with all sorts of food so it can be consumed without care? Is it a simple wine that that can appeal to many different palates? Or is it an inexpensive wine that you can afford to sip everyday? Family-owned by Sonoma County’s Sebastiani and Sons, Smoking Loon wants to be all that and more.