La Cocina de Don Lorenzo

For many people finding the right wine to pair with spicy foods is a very real challenge. They’re sure that something as red and meaty as chili should only be paired with a red wine, and that sweet whites are commonly known as dessert wines, so they must go with desserts. They know that there are rules, but no one has ever really helped them to understand those rules, which can leave a person feeling confused and frustrated. Offer them a dish like jerked chicken, with a white meat and a red sauce, and there is a danger that they’ll throw up their hands all together and walk away from wine pairings.

Unfortunately, the logical red-to-red and white-to-white thinking that they’re employing leads many people down the wrong pairing path. Think about the last time you tried to drink something sweet with a sweet snack. Whether it was soda and…

By Sarah James

The history of champagne and sparkling wine is one that involves the refinement of particular wine making processes, from the early discovery of how to create bubbles using secondary fermentation, to the use of a Methode Champenoise to create high quality wines. While you might want to invest in different kinds of pre-made champagne and sparkling wines, it’s also worth considering how you can make champagne at home. This can be achieved in several ways.

In terms of home brewing, you can opt for a simpler fermentation process, or a variation on the Methode Champenoise. The former approach involves using champagne yeast, grape juice, and sugar to perform a two step fermentation. For this, you’ll need brewing caps, a hydrometer, a bottle capper, and the right grape varieties – Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir are typical options to take. When preparing your ingredients you’ll need to ensure…