Question: My boyfriend and me are eating more sushi and haven’t found our best wine match yet. Your tip please?

Answer: Yes an ideal match with a variety of sushi can be elusive. Cold beer usually works quite well – especially with the wasabi. Any well chilled Sparkling should also be a safe bet. Bubbles help avoid that sometimes metallic taste you can get with some still white wines and especially bolder reds when matched with fish but usually shellfish. However, there are lots of softer fuller whites that will accentuate the rich buttery textures of tuna. My tip would be to experiment with different Sparkling wines to find the one pairing you enjoy most.

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By Joseph Temple

Remember when adding wine to your favorite soup recipe – always use something you would drink. When in doubt, add whatever you plan to pair with it, and you never know, that bold glass of wine might just become your new secret ingredient!

1. Thai Chicken Soup – a splash of Gewurztraminer will lend subtle exotic spice and fruit notes while balancing the spice.
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2. Bouillabaisse –  sauvignon blanc adds another layer of complexity of this simple soup.
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3. Beef Stew – a robust red such as Cabernet Sauvignon will add a layer of sophistication to this slowly cooked delight.
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4. Cold Fruit Soup – the light floral fruitiness of a Pinot Noir would enhance the sweet and tart combination of seasonal berries, peaches, plums, and cherries.

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5. Summer Vegetable Minestrone – an acidic Sangiovese compliments the fresh herbs and juicy tomato of a once simple peasant dish; also, vegetables can be separately cooked in the wine before adding them to the broth.
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6. Mushroom Soup – depending on the creaminess, a lighter red such as Gamay Noir or buttery chardonnay would deglaze the mushrooms quite well before adding stock and cream.
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7. Cold Pea Soup – finish with basil for a twist on a familiar and pair with a sweet and crisp sparkling.
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8. French Onion Soup – the vegetable’s caramelization of this forgiving classic that would do well to be deglazed with a wide range of wines including Sherry, Gamay Noir, or even Pinot Grigio.
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10. Lobster Bisque – although Cognac is sighted in many recipes, a smooth Sherry would do nicely to highlight this delicate seafood.
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Question: After a recent WSET session some of us were discussing soils in Chablis and blue clay was mentioned. Don’t know what cru Chablis has blue clay and hope you can help me?

Answer: Clever question. Yes those Kimmeridgian soils dominate the top Chablis properties but the fully south-east facing Grand Cru Blanchot has some special blue clay in the subsoil there.

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By Joseph Temple

With summer ending and the cool autumn breeze soon blowing through the orchards, nothing is better than settling in for the evening with some classic comfort food and a nice glass of wine. Here are just a few ideas to get the conversation started. What are some of your favorites?

By avlxyz [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

1. Chicken Pot Pie and Riesling – rich and creamy filling in a delicate flaky pastry

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2. Meatloaf and Shiraz – a classic dinner complete with peas and mashed potatoes

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By Ann Larie Valentine [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

3. Shrimp & Grits and Gewürztraminer – a southern staple with a touch of spice

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4. Turkey Dinner and Chardonnay – a tradition for the holidays or any big family meal

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5. Macaroni & Cheese and Cabernet Franc – gooey, warm, creamy with endless add-in possibilities

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By FiveRings (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

6. Pot Roast and Merlot – easy to put together, ready by the time you get home from a long day

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7. Spaghetti & Meatballs and Chianti – anything with tomato sauce is instantly comforting

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By jeffreyw [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

8. Chili and Pinot Noir – hearty, meaty, spicy, satisfying.

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By Neil Conway [CC BY 2.0], via Flickr

9. Tomato soup with grilled cheese and Pinot Gris – remember rushing home for lunch
and mom would be waiting with a delicious meal finished with a glass of milk?

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10. BBQ and Zinfandel – when you are not quite ready for summer to end

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Question: I am trying to learn more about the location and geology of the different vineyards in Barolo. Would you recommend something to help me out?

Answer: I too am a keen student of those exciting unique vineyards. Fortunately last month I surprisingly was presented with the perfect book for both of us when I handed over the reins of being Honorary President of IWFS from myself to Dave Felton. It is The Barolo Great Vineyards Encyclopedia by vineyard map genius Alessandro Masnaghetti first edition September 2015 by Giunti Editore S.p.A. (www.giunti.it). This book has detailed maps of all the Barolo vineyards showing owners and producers with production statistics. Highly recommended.

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