Travel,Wine and Cuisine by Christopher J Davies

Bourdain in episode one- Myanmar-Photo Courtesy of CNN Top chef, culinaire, bestselling author and travel host Anthony Bourdain will launch a new show "Parts Unknown" on CNN. The one hour weekend show premiers on April 14th, at 9pm ET with it's premier episode of Part's Unknown Explores Food and Culture of Myanmar.  Bourdain is known for his New York style wit and candor, backed by extensive culinary expertise. The one-hour weekend lifestyle series follows Bourdain as he travels the across the globe to uncover little-known areas of the world and celebrate diverse cultures by exploring food and dining rituals. Known for his curiosity, candor, and acerbic wit, Bourdain takes viewers off the beaten path of tourist destinations - including some war-torn parts of the world - and meets with a variety of local citizens to offer a window into their lifestyles, and occasionally communes with an internationally lauded chef on his journeys.  CNN.COM Link to...

Foie Gras with A Red VDN Wine From Roussillon Foie Gras For Valentines! Valentine’s is all about being decadent! Don’t skimp on great food & wine! Foie Gras is French for "fat liver". It is is made of the liver of a duck or goose that has been specially fattened.   I love my Foie Gras seared, but restaurants also prepare it as a mousse, parfait, or pâté (lowest quality). France is the leading producer and consumer of duck and goose foie gras. In 2005, the country produced 18,450 tons of foie gras (78.5% of the world's estimated total production of 23,500 tons) of which 96% was duck liver and the rest goose liver. Top producers supplying the US are based in Canada and Hudson Valley New York. If you order a Foie Gras appetizer at your favorite restaurant, it is essential that you pair it with a dessert/ sweet wine that cuts through the fat. Pairing suggestions: Sauternes Ice Wine Late Harvest Dessert Wine Vin...

Roussillon is an Old World region in Southern France that is guided by energetic, young and progressive winemakers who respect their vines and nature. The cuisine is logically Mediterranean, featuring ultra-fresh seafood, plump with tapas, gazpacho, organic vegetables and rustic meat dishes. We discovered this simple but amazing dish during a visit to the region during Harvest 2012.  "Meli-Melo of The Sun" Salad By Bruno Ribière Co-Proprietor of Domaine Ferrer Ribière, Roussillon, France A refreshing dish that is easy to make and will make you and your guests ask for more! TIME: 20-25 minutes YIELD: 4 appetizer portions Ingredients 2-Zucchini raw 1-Soft Spanish Chorizo Sausage Picante (spicy) or Dulce (sweet) 1/2 lb small shrimp (20-30 count) 1/2 lb Manchego Cheese 1/4 cup of balsamic vinaigrette dressing  Directions Use a potato peeler to remove skin from the zucchini.  Slice the zucchini in a food processor u...

The 4th Annual Denver International Beer Competition promises to be the best ever!  This annual competition is organized by Wine Country Network, Inc. The 2013 competition promises numerous changes and improvements to the its judging system that is is sure to generate more 2013 medal winners.  The competition is expanding it's beet categories this year with the addition of:  •Gluten Free Beer •Black International IPA'S •American-Style-Brett Ale •Wood-and-Barrell-Aged Beer Brewers may download entry forms at this webpage:  http://denverbeercomp.com/contforms.html Note: A 20% Early Bird discount is offered for entries that are received and paid for before February 15, 2013.  The 2013 Denver International Beer Competition is officially sanctioned by the BJCP. It is America's most food friendly commercial beer competition.  Gold and Silver medal winners will be showcased at a unique food & beer pairing ...

Looks like there are enough Wine Festival already established for the Denver area. The promoters of the new Colorado International Wine Festival have decided to postpone their event until Spring 2014. We wish them luck! There are more than 100 wine festivals in Colorado alone and perhaps wineries and distributors are feeling that they need to preserve their wine and energy. http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Colorado-International-WIne-Expo-2013---Postponed.html?soid=1110435871461&aid=mevJbWAz7Vg

The Art Of The Wine Glass!  Riedel Vinum XL Pinot Noir Glass EuroCave SoWine Home Wine Bar (Google Affiliate Ad) Cavanova Open-Top Four-Bottle Wine Chiller (Google Affiliate Ad) Nothing upsets me more than a restaurant that provides sub par wine service!  Most common wine no no's are serving excessively cold white wine from a refrigerator. The second is crappy wine glasses. I feel that if a restaurant sells wines on their list for $40 or higher, that they should provide them to their customers in a good wine glass, period!  Investing in quality glassware can also have a big improvement on how your wine tastes. The industry leader is Riedel (rhymes with needle). The Riedel company is 250 years strong and the world pioneers of glass design and shapes. Glasses are widely distributed throughout the US. A number of fine dining establishments such as Danny Meyer Restaurants serve wine to their customer exclusively in Riedel glasses.  If you ...

Ladies from Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel is America's heritage grape from California, sans Europe and back, some say. During prohibition Zin growers made their riches selling their grapes to home winemakers in Brooklyn and Queens. These urban winemakers, mainly sons of Italian American immigrants, followed their old world traditions making table wines in their basements to drink with their daily supper. Zinfandel grapes traveled well from California in wooden crates. Fast forward to 2012, red wine is America's preferred vino. Zinfandel has grown in popularity and comprises more than 10% of all planted grapes in California. Still as Joel Petersen, founder of Ravenswood says, "It is the grape that wine writers love to hate". As a wine writer I know that some geeks are down on high alcohol Zins that are labeled at 16% and can possibly be 18.5% (2.5% margin of grace). You can spot (or sniff) one of these "hot" Zins a mile away. Still it is not fair to brand a...