Many Are Tasted, But Few Are Chosen

It is that time of year again.
I speak of the spring tasting season when all the wine importers and distributors conduct tastings for the trade. New wines are featured along with new vintages of familiar favorites. At these events buyers like me get a chance to sniff, sip, compare and contrast dozens (no, hundreds) of [...]

Renewal

Following the cycle of seasonal change, the annual wine calendar has returned once again to the moment when new wines enter the market.
In Berkeley we have just started to receive new vintages of red and white wines from Spain and Portugal (Argentina and Chile too).
First up are the red wines appearing now, followed in a [...]

Bar Lata

What is it about a small Spanish tapas bar that inspires thirst, hunger and conviviality all at the same time? The atmosphere is informal and friendly, the food is simple and ready to serve, the wines are well chosen and everything is modestly priced. It’s fast food for people who care about what they consume.
So [...]

Daylight Savings Time

How does that little mnemonic device go; “Spring forward, fall back”?
This Sunday we all ’spring forward’ as we reset our clocks for Daylight Savings Time (and lose an hour in the process). Yes, it will be dark and cold in the early morning hours until the Sun catches up with the clock, but the evening [...]