Wine and Food Pairings Archives | Crushed Grape Chronicles

Wine and Food Pairings

Valpolicella wines of Zenato

May 26, 2023

Late last year, when we visited Italy, we spent a bit of time near Verona but did not have an opportunity to dive into Valpolicella. I had heard about the valleys carved out by glaciers that also created Lake Garda. ...

Gaia Malbec Nouveau – a new way of thinking about Malbec

May 19, 2023

Malbec Nouveau It’s not something I had ever tasted before. You are probably familiar with Beaujolais Nouveau, made with the Gamay grape. It creates a celebration on the 3rd Thursday in November on Beaujolais Day, as the first wine released...

Pecorino from Marche and Montepulciano from Abruzzo, exploring a bit of the wild lands of Italy’s Eastern Coast

May 6, 2023

Italy’s Eastern coast doesn’t get nearly enough love. Yes, the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre are stunning, but the Eastern Coast, the other side of the Apennines, has its own charm. Other than Venice, on the Northern part of this...

Argentinian Malbec to celebrate World Malbec Day and Earth Day

Apr 20, 2023

Argentinian Malbec. If I say Malbec, you think Argentina, don’t you? Well, that is with good reason. This wine native to Cahors, France, found its voice in Argentina. As we celebrate Earth Day (4/22) and World Malbec Day (4/17) this...

Salice Salentino from Puglia with Ciceri e tria #ItalianFWT

Feb 3, 2023

Puglia Puglia, Italy, the heel of the boot. This long fertile region is surrounded on three sides by water. To the east is the Adriatic Sea, to the south and west the Ionian. Sticking out, as it does, into the...

Vigna Petrussa and a glimpse at Friuli Colli Orientali

Jan 27, 2023

On a rainy morning in Milan, Francesca Mecchia jumped on her moped and made the 10-minute drive to meet us at our hotel near Milano Centrale. The plush lobby had ample seating nooks to allow us space to set up...

Sipping the sweet side of the Rhône with a Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel #Winophiles

Jan 20, 2023

I love Rhône varieties. I most often search them out in California and Oregon. Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Cinsault, and even the rarer, Bourboulenc and Terret Noir all have my heart. So many delicious grapes on their own...

January 10th, Champagne and French Fries Day #ChampagneAndFriesDay

Jan 10, 2023

#ChampagneAndFriesDay Yep, there’s a holiday for that! Anna Maria of Unraveling Wine created #ChampagneAndFriesDay with her friend Kleopatra. The reason for the day? It’s one of her favorite pairings, and it’s her birthday! She also has a great page with...