April, 2011 | Grapes and Grains

31 Days and Counting…

Posted in Beer, Wine on Apr 29th, 2011

Today marks our 1-month anniversary on the road. Staying in for the night with a wee spread of Piedmontese vittles.

Hard Time at Birrificio Pausa Cafè

Posted in Beer on Apr 27th, 2011

First night in Piedmont. And what do we order w/ dinner? BEER. And not just any beer. Microbrew made by prisoners! (I’m not joking)

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Venice: Lost in the Alleyways of Time

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine on Apr 26th, 2011

It rose out of the lagoon. Sometime around the 4th or 5th century, a resilient group of people had been pushed to the brink. Exhausted and worn thin by constant foreign invasions, they decided to relocate to the marshy islands far out on the water. And thus, Venice was born. And the most magical city […]

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Aperitivi et al: Dessert Wine, Grappa & Craft Beer

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine on Apr 26th, 2011

Lapping it up in Lake Como at a backstreet wine bar. (Pictured: Vin Santo del Chianti Classico-Az. Agr. San Felice & Barolo Chinato-Cocchi)

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Bellagio (Not the One in Vegas)

Posted in Wine on Apr 25th, 2011

Just arrived in Lake Como. While we wait for George Clooney’s dinner invite, think we’ll sip some Verdicchio…

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Mr Ed: Tonight’s Appetizer

Posted in Uncategorized on Apr 23rd, 2011

Good for the heart, good for the mind. It’s horse meat! Yep, horse meat! What fine beverage would you pair with this action?

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Beers in Fair Verona?

Posted in Beer on Apr 23rd, 2011

Just arrived in Verona. Kat ran out to buy a couple of beers. Look closely: “Analcolica”. Way to go, Kat! A couple of non-alcoholic beers. Yippee!

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Al Merca, the Hole-in-the-Wall Bacari

Posted in Wine on Apr 23rd, 2011

Stumbled upon the local, outdoor wine bar off the Grand Canal in Venice. Garganega non-filtrate “Fasoli” & Ribolla Giala “Sirch”. F’in sweet.

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Life on the Road: Au Revoir, France

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine on Apr 21st, 2011

We’ve sung Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” ten times more than the average Willie fan can muster in a 3-week period. It’s been an interesting transition being away from home this long. As each day is so dense, a week ends up feeling like a month. Learning traffic signs in the moment while zipping […]

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The French Sure Like Their Wine

Posted in Beer, Wine on Apr 19th, 2011

A pretty typical offering of beers in a French bistro (in fact, a lot for draft in this case). Apparently, beer takes a backseat here.

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Somewhere on a Beach Outside of Antibes

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine on Apr 17th, 2011

There could be worse places for an Irishman to get a sunburn than the French Riviera…

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Afternoon Drinks in the Southern Rhone

Posted in Beer, Wine on Apr 15th, 2011

My puny glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc pales in comparison to Kat’s afternoon beer.

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Vineyard Porn: the Grand Crus of Burgundy

Posted in Wine on Apr 13th, 2011

Believe it or not, you can drive your car right up to the Grand Cru vineyards of Burgundy. No barbed wire, half-starved Rottweilers or retina scans to keep you out. Nope, you can walk directly up to the vines and lie down next to them, if you so fancy (see the insane photo album at […]

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