Wine Scene

From the sunny slopes of Sicily
[Jan. 10, 2008] As I sit here by the fireplace on a cold wintry January morning, I can’t help but think back a few weeks when I was blithely enjoying those sunny slopes of Sicily. Sicily was a one-day stop-over on our recent Mediterranean cruise and proved to be one of the highlights of the trip. By Dave Ethridge

The mystique of Champagne
[Dec. 27, 2007] Champagne has never been more popular. Even though it continues to be very expensive — and even more so at the current exchange rates —Champagne has increased in sales every year. And new importers in China, Russia and other countries with growing economies are demanding this luxury drink, making the supply even scarcer, which only further increases prices. By Dave Ethridge

Take a riverboat cruise through wine country
[Dec. 13, 2007] Riverboat cruising has rapidly become the hottest new vacation experience, with exciting riverboat cruises taking place all over the world. By Dave Ethridge

From the Vine, new Michigan wine book
[Nov. 29, 2007] Finally a definitive book on Michigan wines and wineries is available. I had often threatened to do one myself but never got around to it — it just seemed like too much work. By Dave Ethridge

Make Thanksgiving sparkle
[Nov. 15, 2007] About this time every year someone calls or catches me at the grocery store and asks, “What do I serve with Thanksgiving dinner?” Over the years I’ve given suggestions on what goes best with turkey and the trimmings, but those trimmings are part of the problem. By Dave Ethridge

Torres, the Wine King of Spain
[Nov. 1, 2007] The Torres family from the little town of Vilafranca del Penedês, near Barcelona, Spain is world-known for outstanding wine. By Dave Ethridge

Tribute to a pioneer
[Oct. 18, 2007] When we think of pioneers it is generally about someone, a long time ago, out west, riding a stagecoach and looking to the future. But the pioneer we are talking about here is quite recent, in the east, tending a vineyard but still with a vision of the future. How this all came about is quite a story. By Dave Ethridge

It’s Madeira, my dear
[Oct. 4, 2007] At a recent wine tasting event, Madeira was served as a dessert wine at the end of the evening. One of the guests commented, “I didn’t know you drank the stuff, I thought you only cooked with it.” And unfortunately that is the reputation that a wine from a small island off the coast of Morocco, owned by Portugal, has had for many years. By Dave Ethridge

Fast cat on a hot track
[Sep. 20, 2007] Sebeka is the name of a cheetah cub which was given as a pet to a lady by the name of Lente Roode when she was a child. The cub’s mother had been shot by an irate farmer after attacking his cattle herd. Roode’s father rescued the cub and that began Lente’s crusade to save wildlife. She is now the head of the Endangered Species Centre in South Africa, and Sebeka has become a national symbol of the organization. By Dave Ethridge

Michigan’s ‘Big Mac’ celebrates 50 years
[Sep. 6, 2007]   By Dave Ethridge

Best of Michigan, 2007
[Aug. 23, 2007] Every year, in August, the Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition is held at Kellogg Center at MSU in East Lansing. And every year the best of Michigan’s wines is selected by panels of judges from across the country. This year was no exception. By Dave Ethridge

Portugal — the new wine country
[Aug. 9, 2007] You may have thought the only wine from Portugal was the deep red, strongly fortified Port so favored as an after-dinner wine, but if you did, you would have been very mistaken. By Dave Ethridge

Adelaida, A-delicious!
[Jul. 26, 2007] Adelaida is a small, artisanal winery in the Paso Robles district of coastal California, tucked up high in the Santa Lucia range about 16 miles from the Pacific and at over 1,600 feet elevation. By Dave Ethridge

Time to go Barefoot
[Jun. 28, 2007] Every year when I return from the Tasters Guild International Wine Competition my friends’ and associates’ first question is, “What did you find this year that won a Double Gold Medal and costs less that $10?” By Dave Ethridge