The Many Tastes of Spain
Northern regions are rich with red variety
By Josh Perilo
There is a common understanding now among foodies that there is no such thing as “Italian food” as such. Thanks in large part to Mario Batali, the understanding of Italian food is of a cuisine that digs into what is local and available and makes the absolute best possible food from those resources. The idea of a homogenous Italian identity has become passé and quaint.
Read more
Tracing the Roots of Home Brewed Soda
How I learned to embrace my root beer obsession
By Josh Perilo
So, I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that I am completely, 100 percent obsessive. When I discover a new object of interest it swallows me whole and consumes me for months, sometimes years at a time.
In junior high school it was musical theater. In high school, I was lost to the world of miniatures for two years. A decade ago, I discovered the world of wine.
Hanging Out With the In Crowd
French wines that aren’t from the “it” regions of France
By Josh Perilo
Paul sat staring at the map of France I had provided for the tasting. I was packing up leftover materials and chatting with some of the guests when I realized he hadn’t moved for a good five minutes. I approached him cautiously.
Read more
Sweet Secret of Sauternes
The challenge of making the delectable dessert wine
By Josh Perilo
I began thinking about the refreshing, complex and sweet dessert wine Sauternes last week when I was throwing out the moldy food at the back of my refrigerator.
Let me back up a bit and explain myself.
Read more
Booze-Free Summer Drinks
Delicious beverages that make it worth abstaining
By Josh Perilo
“You know, us teetotalers like to have a tasty beverage every now and then, too!”
Read more
Cabernets for a Rainy Day
How to tell whether to drink a bottle of wine now or later
By Josh Perilo
I have told all of my friends, countless times, that 95 percent of all wine made worldwide is meant to be drunk within the first three years of production. But it doesn’t seem to matter what I say. Everyone thinks they’ve found that special bottle of wine that they just have to save for some occasion in the distant future. It’s the logic behind buying a lottery ticket. “This bottle could be the one.”
Read more
An Underrated Wine Steps into the Spotlight
Moscato d’Asti finally gets the respect it deserves
By Josh Perilo
A couple weeks ago, I went off on a tangent about the many Italian sparkling wines that I love. I left out one type on purpose. I love this wine so much, and find it both so delicious and so underrated, that I felt it deserved its own 700-word devotional.
Read more
Keeping It Old School
Back-to-basics approach sets Burgundian winemakers apart
By Josh Perilo
Winemaking has always been, at its core, a simple family business. Even now, with all the technological changes that have made it more profitable, its greatness lies in the careful and finite details of its crafting.
Read more
New World Meets Southern Rhone
Hearty and sassy grapes result in new take on undiscovered classic
By Josh Perilo
I will be taking a short reprieve from my recent jag on sparkling wines to write about another tasting I went to this week. I noticed an interesting trend that really pleased me, and I wanted to comment on it and, hopefully, help push it along.
Read more
Desert Island Wine
By Josh Perilo
Brushing Up on Exceptional Sparkling Wines
I have always said that the one bottle of wine I would take with me to a desert island would be Champagne.
Read more
