I first met Simon in 2011 at the European Wine Bloggers Conference. We were in northern Italy on the post-trip when both Simon and I had our first experience meeting Sandi Skerk. For Simon, it was life-changing and eventually led to his award-winning book “Amber Revolution.” Over the years that followed, Simon and I formed …
Interview with Simon Woolf – Foot Trodden co-author Read More »
I was a wide-eyed 27 years old with a half-decade of wine retail under my belt when I first stepped onto Portuguese soil. Due to close family ties, I was deeply curious about Portuguese wine but knew relatively little beyond the odd bottle of Port sipped over the holidays or during work tastings. This all …
Foot Trodden – Portugal & the wines that time forgot Read More »
Gorgeous nature, rich history and an incredible wealth amassed during the medieval and colonial times have nurtured the existence of 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites throughout Portugal. Ratified and put into effect in 1975, the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage administered by UNESCO, has been fundamental in preserving historic …
Comprehensive Guide to Visiting Portugal’s UNESCO Heritage Sites Read More »
Catavino’s new space in the heart of Porto called, theLAB, will now be hosting wine tastings! Today, we’re launching two fabulous tastings worthy of checking out: Introduction to Portuguese Wine Tasting , Portuguese: Organic and Natural Wine Tasting or simply create a Private Custom Wine Tasting just for you! The first tasting is an introduction to …
After 15 years of living in Iberia, we can look back with pride at a very long and satisfying list of adventures, experiences, and travels. We’ve soared all over Europe to taste homemade foods in the comfort of people’s homes, old wines in even older cellars, swanky bars in the limelight of the cities, and …
Recently, I was enthroned into the Confraria do Vinho do Porto (Port Wine Brotherhood) as a Cavaleiro (Knight) in “recognition for my dedication and service to Port Wine.” Understandably, I was incredibly honored, but my invitation also came with several questions as to what exactly occurred. For this reason, I wanted to share a short …
How I became a Knight of the Port Wine Brotherhood Read More »
For me, the sandwich is the pinnacle of the food pyramid. Sure I love fine dining, a good seafood feast, or a perfectly prepared piece of roasted meat; but in the end, I will always long for the great sandwich. When you have 2 slices of the perfect rustic bread holding together a selection of …
Did you know that Madeira was poured during Thomas Jefferson’s toast at the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, or that it was savored at the inauguration of George Washington shortly thereafter? At one time, Madeira was so ubiquitous that it perfumed ladies’ handkerchieves; was given to military personnel for service of their country; and was frequently …
Last week was pretty special around here, at least for me personally. Ten years ago, I boarded a plane from Minneapolis to Madrid for 1 week, or at least that’s what my plane ticket said. Gabriella had already landed just over a month earlier and was patiently waiting for my arrival so we could start our …
I know it’s a bit obvious, but I think it’s worth restating, it’s damn cold; so cold that an unlimited supply of wool blankets and crackling fireplaces won’t eradicate the persistent, internal chill. During these trying times, I find myself reaching for liquid comfort when the mercury dips below zero, preferably from a fortified or rich red wine. The Alentejo, Dão and …
The headline is a bit more ambitious than I plan to be. This past year has seen a lot of changes at Catavino HQ, not least of all is trying to find a balance in life with a little guy nipping at your heels. At night, Gabriella and I often find ourselves falling asleep to …
10 Portuguese Wine Experiences from 2014: An unforgettable year! Read More »
Upon our arrival to Spain, beer was an afterthought. Cheap lagers dominated the landscape with their banal, indifferent flavors that paired well with a sunny terrace. But in 2008, everything changed. With the enormous wave of craft beers pouring through the USA, Spain prepared for its own beer revolution. The initial beer movement began in the northeastern region of Catalunya, …
First things first: Barcelona is NOT a city where you can walk into any random restaurant and expect an “at least decent” meal. Yes, this food Mecca is full of amazing cuisine, culture, craftsmanship, tradition and innovation; however, it’s also full of businesses (restaurants and otherwise) that are operated with the sole purpose of capturing …
Sunny and Special Chiringuitos: The Best Beachside Dining in Barcelona Read More »
To claim that Spain is Europe’s next craft beer hotspot is perhaps too bold a statement, but the world’s largest producer of wine is finally giving craft beer connoisseurs good reason to get excited. While Spain is also Europe’s 3rd largest beer producer following Germany and the UK, until recently that production offered little more …
Spain’s First Microbrewery and the Spanish craft beer movement Read More »
A momentous 2013 has almost come to a close, and to be perfectly honest, it’s been a good year. I’ve travelled a considerable amount, moved countries and had a son. 2013 will mark one of the most memorable years of my life. However, it’s around this time that we sit with a list of what …
