Confit is one of the oldest ways to preserve food, and is a speciality of south-western France. The word comes via the French verb confire, from the Latin word (conficere), meaning "to do, to produce, to make, to prepare" The French verb was first applied in medieval times to fruits ...

T/F: Gratin is a type of casserole, covered in cheese and baked/broiled. F If, like me, your childhood exposure to 'gratin' comes from Betty Crocker's potatoes au gratin, then you may have guessed that the above statement is true.  Actually, gratin simply refers to a covered casserole, which has been ...

Billy of the Wine Cask Blog asked me about the term, Chambré .  I had heard it before - yet like many semi-familiar wine terms, I assumed I knew what it meant.  Chambré is used, in both French and English, to describe a wine warmed to ambient (room - chamber ...

The vocabulary of wine is a symphony of sexy-sounding words.  If you're single, try this trick in a bar on Friday night.  Whisper these sweet nothings in an unsuspecting soul's ear. bouteille dégustation pupitre blanc rouge blanc melon élevage On second thought, don't.  You might get ... disgorged - I just got a mouthful of dead yeast cells." Can you name any other unartful wine words...

Religion has been referred to as, "opium of the people ."  I'm certain there is much disagreement with that sentiment.  However, one thing all wine lovers can agree on is that religion was crucial in providing wine for the masses. Justinian I , a 4th century Roman Emperor, was of ...

Noir - French for black.  A common suffix for dark-berried grape varietals (e.g. Pinot Noir, Grenache Noir) Not to be confused with Film Noir - A cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas that set their protagonists in a world perceived as inherently corrupt and unsympathetic Nor ...

Few things other than romantic love inspire as many and more expressive words as wine. Here are a few more written or uttered in 2006 we deem worthy of a special mention, as well as the characters whom the words belong...

Forum: SOCIAL HALL Posted By: Birger Vejrum Post Time: 10-30-2006 at 03:40 PM

This evening, I was grilling tri tips and Peruvian purple potatoes grown in Eltopia, Wash. This called for a robust red wine, so I went to the cellar and picked out a Fidelitas Wines 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley .

There are lots of words about wine on the web.  I’m doing my part to add to those missives, though I have to hope that I am adding QUALITY , not just quantity.  There are words reflecting on wine, wine culture, wine production, wine sales, and of course on wines themselves.  Lots of words. I’m beginning the process of building my collection of links to other wine blogs.  Check out some...