Manoavino Taste!

A Trip to Sicily

If you have seen any of the Godfather films you have seen Sicily. But only a small part of of this beautiful island on the toe of Southern Italy.

Here is a little trip to Sicily, through wine, food and films.

Sicily is more than an island! Discover Sicily and discover the world. The world's first multicultural society, Sicily is Italy's (and Europe's) most historically cosmopolitan region, having been ruled by Asians, Africans and Europeans. Sicily is black and white and a million shades of gray.

February 25th is Open That Bottle Night! (OTBN)

Do you have a special bottle or bottles of wine in tucked away for a special occasion. I know I do.

But the "occasion" never arrives and that special bottle passes its prime.

That's why Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher, the married couple who write the "Tastings" column for the Wall St. Journal, decided seven years ago to create Open That Bottle Night, where the bottle itself is the occasion.

Learn About Wine

There are many opportunities and resources for learning about wine in our area.

Here are some listings of the ones we like. 

Three Exceptional Wines

This Saturday we dined at home with friends. The menu was inspired by Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers' book Italian Easy, recipes from London River Cafe. A great cookbook that we use often.

The wine was from Amanti Vino.

Epernay - Restaurant Review

On a spur of the moment impulse, Diana suggested dinner at Epernay Friday night. We dine at Epernay at least twice a year, tasting the fall and spring menu changes. This dinner was the best we have ever had at Epernay and we will be returning again soon, at least for the special Australian Wagyu (Kobe) Beef dinner they are serving on February the 19th.

   

Epernay has become a staple of the Montclair restaurant scene where the owners, charming host Courtney Papera and talented Chef Mark Papera serve up delicious classic French bistro cuisine with attentive service in a bright comfortable setting.

Valentine's Day Wine

Suggestions to make your Valentine's Day a special occasion!

XOXOX

Illustration by Lisette Design

Experience the finest wines with Executive Wine Seminars

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Howard Kaplan, fellow Montclairian and Managing Partner of Executive Wine Seminars.

When I first read about Howard and his position in the world of wine, I was a little intimidated. He has rubbed shoulders with the likes of Robert Parker and other wine greats. His company EWS, co-founded with Robert Millman, has a client list that reads like a Who’s Who of corporate America. For over 25 years EWS has been introducing and educating wine neophytes and connoisseurs to the very finest and often most expensive wines in the world.

Last week I sat in Howard’s kitchen in Montclair shared a great Pinot Noir and talked wine. I discovered he is very much a regular guy that knows a heck of a lot about fine wine.

Table 8 - Restaurant Review

Dined at Table 8 with friends last night, at last. From the moment I stepped in the door I loved the place.  Demetri has created a truly wonderful restaurant. 

We ate early before attending a show at Montclair State, Kasser Theater.