Ring in the New Year with Codorniu

If you’re a frequent visitor to the Amateur Gastronomer, you’ll know that I am a big fan of Cava.  Produced through the same traditional method as Champagne but costing much less, the Spanish sparkling wine is wonderful for any type of celebration. I recently got to taste a couple of Cavas from Codorníu that are [...]

Where to Get Your New Year's Day Bloody Mary Fix

January 1st may not officially be National Bloody Mary Day, but you can guarantee many people will be celebrating the new year (or recovering from the night before) with one of these spicy cocktails. As a big fan of Bloody Marys I’ve tasted them at restaurants all around town.  My favorite Bloody Mary in Atlanta [...]

Champagne Facts and Figures

Champagne and the holidays are the perfect pairing.  But how much do you know about France’s prized sparking wine?  Test yourself or expand your knowledge with these facts about Champagne: France is the top country for sparkling wine production, producing 42 million cases each year.  It is followed by Germany (35 million cases) and Spain [...]

AG Pick Under $20: 2007 Kokomo Zinfandel

When you want to get away from it all — or when you want a full-bodied red wine — open a bottle of the 2007 Kokomo Sonoma County Zinfandel. Though the name may conjure up images of a tropical island, it is totally unrelated to the Beach Boys song.  The California winery is named after [...]

Last Minute Gifts for Wine Fans

There are just a few shopping days remaining until Christmas.  Have you covered everyone on your list?  Here are some great last minute gift ideas for the wine fan — or treat yourself to a present! Recycled Wine Glasses Used glass gets a new life in these stemless wine glasses.  They’re handmade in Colombia of [...]

Need to Open a Bottle? There’s an App for That

Checking the weather, reading a book, looking up directions, even wasting time by killing pigs with some very angry birds — there’s an app for that.  And the next time you want to open up a bottle of beer, there’s an app for that too. Introducing the iBottle Opener, an iPhone case that has a [...]

AG Pick Under $15: Pares Balta Brut

Don’t wait until a special occasion to break out the bubbly.  Make any night of the week special with Parés Baltà Brut, a great deal at $11 a bottle. Parés Baltà Brut is a Cava, Spain’s version of sparkling wine.  Just like Champagne it is made using the traditional method, with the second fermentation taking [...]

It's Time for Wine: Verite Wines & Rutherford Facts

By Monty and Sara Preiser If you write a column reflecting your decision to offer your own opinions, rather than simply be a reporter and chronicle a matter so as to garner the subject’s favor, then you place yourself out there for comment. And don’t you know that we receive far more responses when we [...]

Asian Marinated Eggplant

Marinated in a mix of Asian seasonings, eggplant has never tasted so good!  This simple yet delicious recipe is my version of a dish I loved at my hometown sushi restaurant. The recipe serves two to four people, though you may want to double it — the dish can keep in the fridge for several [...]

AG Pick: Yarden Syrah 2005

If you were to taste this wine without seeing the label, you might think it was from the northern Rhône region in France.  Elegant with earthy notes and good acidity, it displays characteristics of an Old World wine.  Once the label is revealed, it would certainly be surprising that this red comes from Israel, a [...]