We've Lost a Giant
/Legendary importer and, more importantly, wine influencer, Robert Haas passed away March 19.
Read MoreThe Blog "Engaging the Senses" includes thoughts on wine, food, travel and art from James Beard Award-winning writer, WSET educator and travel photographer Lyn Farmer
Legendary importer and, more importantly, wine influencer, Robert Haas passed away March 19.
Read MoreFor many, 10 a.m. is a great time for a coffee break, but when Aurelio Montes, Jr., called me and suggested we get together at 10 to taste "something fresh," coffee was nowhere on the menu. His idea of fresh was a collection of fascinating new releases from one of my favorite wineries and an opportunity to catch up with one of South America's most interesting winemakers. All very tasteful, of course.
Read MoreWines of Chile just named Emiliana the country's Winery of the Year, signaling a broad acceptance of biodynamic and organic farming in the country's wine industry. For us consumers it is a reminder that great red and white wine can still go green, and that there is more to wine that what we can measure in the soil.
Read MoreLunch with Italian winemaker Dario Pieropan gives me a new appreciation of Soave, a wine I knew early in my wine-life then abandoned. On reexamination (and the chance to taste Pieropan's exquisite examples), I can taste what I've been missing and I find some very persuasive wines, especially for holiday dining.
Read MoreIconic Napa Valley vintner Joseph Phelps passed away April 15
Read MoreFew wines are as idiosyncratic and storied as Lebanon's Chateau Musar. The story of Musar is a story of determination, inspiration and faith (and no small amount of winemaking expertise). Winemaker Serge Hochar has ushered this wine through 50 vintages and says, "I am here because of war." His story, like his wine, is entrancing, and you will find it here on "Engaging the Senses."
Read MoreNew Zealand's iconic winery Craggy Range sent out their Dynamic Duo of viticulturalist Steve Smith, MW and chief winemaker Matt Stafford to bang the drum for 2013, "the vintage of a generation" according to Smith. Was it really that good? Oh yes, it was...it is.
Read MoreBaroness Philippine de Rothschild, one of the leading figures in French wine, passed away August 23 at age 80. I remember her from many glittery events, but most of all from one decidedly informal evening - dinner in my home with no Mouton Rothschild and an unlikely star.
Read MoreMOVI is a group of winemakers who make it a part of their mission statement to "make wines with passion." This movement of independent vintners taking root in Chile is passionately making some of the best wine on the planet - meet the makers and, virtually at least, taste the wine, in Lyn's most recent post.
Read MoreGerard Bertrand, retired rugby star with a lifelong passion for wine (and the street creds to back it up) talks about not just the vintage of the century but "the best vintage ever" in the South of France. Be forewarned - you will want these wines, but it's good to read up on them first.
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(C) Lyn Farmer