By Robert Giorgione on December 22, 2012
So, it’s taken me around six years, but finally it gives me great pleasure to announce the title of my second book – “An Epicurean Odyssey: Sommelier Stories”. Rest assured this ground-breaking book will really titilate your taste buds and quench your thirst for knowledge of the goings-on in the restaurant world! Essentially, “An Epicurean Odyssey” is [...]
Posted in Book Reviews, Food and Wine Matching, Interviews, Recipes, Restaurant Reviews, Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Videos, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, Book, Books For Cooks, Borough Market, Chef, Court of Master Sommeliers, eBook, Fifth Floor, Food and wine matching, food blogs, Interviews, Kitchen Confidential, La Tante Claire, Les Caves de Pyrene, Lulu.com, Marylebone, Orrery, recipe, Recipes, Restaurant Reviews, Robert Giorgione, Roberto della Pietra, Roving Sommelier, social media, Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Thierry Tomasin, Videos, wine blogs, Wine Reviews, Wine tasting, You Tube |
By Robert Giorgione on December 1, 2012
Today, England are playing New Zealand. I’m not talking wine, but rugby. It should be a good game and I’m looking forward to it. The legendary All Blacks are the current World Champions, having won the Web Ellis Trophy last year in their own back yard. Rugby fans from all over the world flocked to New [...]
Posted in Interviews, Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Videos, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, biodynamic, Book, Cambridge Road, Dovetail, eBook, Lance Redgwell, Les Caves de Pyrene, Martinborough, New Zealand, New Zealand Earthquake Appeal Fund, New Zealand Wine Growers, Pinot Noir, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, Syrah, Tasting Notes, Videos, wine blogs, Wine Reviews, Wine tasting, Wines of Martinborough, You Tube |
By Robert Giorgione on November 20, 2012
Alexeeva and Jones is a newly-opened retail business located on Westbourne Grove in London’s trendy Notting Hill. Their aim is to provide a wonderful environment that houses luxury chocolates from the world’s leading chocolatiers. Recently, I met up with Helen Heslop, the shop’s General Manager and she took me through a small selection of their [...]
Posted in Food and Wine Matching, Product Reviews, Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes | Tagged Alexeeva & Jones, An Epicurean Odyssey, Artisan chocolatiers, Book, Centho, Charbonnel et Walker, Chocolate, Chocolate Club, Chocolate Truffles, Damian Allsop, eBook, Food and wine matching, food blogs, Franck Daubos, Ganache, Gareth Jones, Geert Decoster, Helen Heslop, Iain Burnett, Les Caves de Pyrene, Natalia Alexeeva, Notting Hill, Paul Wayne Gregory, Product Reviews, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Vin Doux Naturel, Westbourne Grove, wine blogs, Wine Reviews, Wine tasting |
By Robert Giorgione on November 18, 2012
PINOT NOIR! Yes, for most people, but especially for wine lovers, (myself included) this ethereal and fickle grape variety has become the most distinctive wine style and the ‘holy grail’ to which most winemakers aspire. People talk about expression. People bang on about terroir, and this and that. But, for me, the most important thing is [...]
Posted in Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, Ata Rangi, biodynamic, Book, Brodie Estate, Cambridge Road, Coney Wines, Craggy Range, eBook, Escarpment, Food and wine matching, food blogs, Helen Masters, John Kavanagh, Judy Kendrick, Lance Redgwell, Larry McKenna, Les Caves de Pyrene, Martinborough, Martinborough Vineyards, Marylebone, New Zealand, Paul Mason, Pinot Noir, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, Steve Smith MW, Tasting Notes, Te Kairanga, Vinoteca, wine blogs, Wine Reviews, Wine tasting, Wines of Martinborough |
By Robert Giorgione on October 31, 2012
Seeing as today’s a Wednesday – and for most wine loving tweeps that means #WineWednesday, I thought it most appropriate to announce our latest “Wine of the Month” at Roving Sommelier. I’m particularly passionate about the Loire Valley in France and one my most favourite grapes is the Chenin Blanc. This underrated grape variety produces wines that [...]
Posted in Food and Wine Matching, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, biodynamic, Book, Chenin Blanc, Craving For Chenin, eBook, Frantz Saumon, Le Clos du Chene, Les Caves de Pyrene, Loire Valley, Montlouis, Mussels, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, wine blogs, Wine of the Month, Wine Reviews |
By Robert Giorgione on September 20, 2012
This tasty dish, (and yes it does contain raw meat), is probably one of the staple menu items of any classic French brasserie. Such is the special reputation of steak tartare, any restaurant worth its salt, that wishes to be judged on the quality of its meat will probably serve it. How to make “the perfect [...]
Posted in Food and Wine Matching, Recipes, Sommelier Stories, Videos, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, Beaujolais, Beef, Bistro Jeanty, Book, Bouchon, Brasserie Boulingrin, Burgundy, Champagne, eBook, Food and wine matching, food blogs, Gamay, Les Caves de Pyrene, Natural Wines, Pinot Noir, Recipes, Reims, Restaurant Reviews, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, steak tartare, Terroirs, Videos, wine blogs, Wine Reviews, You Tube, Yountville |
By Robert Giorgione on September 13, 2012
Allegedly, according to some statistically-obsessed boffin somewhere, Kit-Kat is the most popular chocolate brand in the world. I’m not exactly sure of the figures, but my spies have informed me that a few hundred thousand bars get sold and chomped through on a daily basis. This “No.1 selling“, world famous, dare I say it, ‘iconic’ chocolate [...]
Posted in Food and Wine Matching, Product Reviews, Sommelier Stories, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, Banyuls, Banyuls Rimage, Book, Chocolate, chocolate bar, eBook, Food and wine matching, food blogs, Kit-Kat, Les Caves de Pyrene, Les Clos de Paulilles, Nestle, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, wine blogs, Wine Reviews |
By Robert Giorgione on September 7, 2012
Yes, I know – forget about the meaning of life, the theory of relativity or the laws of gravity, this is the burning question that everyone wants to ask. What should you drink with a Snickers bar? The readers and followers of this blog will know, and I’m sure come to my necessary defence here, [...]
Posted in Food and Wine Matching, Product Reviews, Sommelier Stories, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, Banyuls, Banyuls Rimage, Book, caramel, Chef, chocolate bar, Clark Foyster Wines, confectionery, Coume del Mas, eBook, Food and wine matching, food blogs, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Les Caves de Pyrene, Les Clos de Paulilles, Muscat, peanuts, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Snickers, Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, Vin Doux, Waitrose, Waitrose Wine, William Curley, wine blogs, Wine Reviews |
By Robert Giorgione on July 13, 2012
Despite today being Friday the 13th, it actually turned out to be quite lucky. Well, it was for me, especially as I received delivery of some top-notch Pinot Noirs. As you may be aware, here at Roving Sommelier HQ I’m a bit of a fan of New Zealand wines. I have lined up for you [...]
Posted in Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Videos, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, Bannockburn, biodynamic, Blair Walter, Book, Calvert Vineyard, Cambridge Road, Central Otago, eBook, Felton Road, International Wine Challenge, Judy Finn, Lance Redgwell, Les Caves de Pyrene, Martinborough, Moutere, Nelson, Neudorf, New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Pyramid Valley, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Tim Finn, Videos, wine blogs, Wine Reviews, You Tube |
By Robert Giorgione on April 14, 2012
It is normally with great eagerness and anticipation that an invitation to attend the annual CIVC tasting is received. Each year, I have continued to traipse along to the event (traditionally held at Banqueting House on Whitehall in London) to sample the latest vinous offerings from the Champagne region. Over the past few months, much has been communicated [...]
Posted in Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Wine Reviews | Tagged Alain Thienot, Banqueting House, biodynamic, Bollinger, Champagne, Chardonnay, Charles Heidsieck, CIVC, Gosset, Jacquesson, Larmandier-Bernier, Les Caves de Pyrene, Louis Roederer, Philipponnat, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, Tarlant, Tasting Notes, wine blogs, Wine Reviews, Wine tasting |
By Robert Giorgione on January 28, 2012
During 2011, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend many wine tastings, masterclasses and events. In addition, my website was in its first year and I was getting stuck into many roving sommelier activities. January, the first month of each new year, is always time for a little reflection over the past year’s events. [...]
Posted in Food and Wine Matching, Restaurant Reviews, Sommelier Stories, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, Bistro du Vin, Book, Dirty Dozen Tasting, eBook, Food and wine matching, food blogs, Jose Pizarro, L'Atelier des Chefs, Les Caves de Pyrene, Marylebone, Natural Wines, New Zealand, Nopi, Oxo Tower, Peter Gordon, Providores Restaurant, Restaurant Reviews, Riverstation, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, The Modern Pantry, wine blogs, Wine Reviews, Wine tasting, Zucca |
By Robert Giorgione on December 20, 2011
Amongst wine collectors and connoisseurs, this is probably one of the most-asked questions during the lead up to and over the Christmas period. Rest assured here at Roving Sommelier HQ, all the preparations have been made, the Christmas shopping has been done, all the presents have been wrapped, the culinary delights are all in order [...]
Posted in Food and Wine Matching, Wine Reviews | Tagged Adnams, Adnams Cellar & Kitchen, food blogs, Laithwaites, Les Caves de Pyrene, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, wine blogs, Wine Reviews, Wines For Christmas |
By Robert Giorgione on November 18, 2011
Food and wine matching by Roving Sommelier Here is a quick and simple recipe, which was given to me by a friend and former colleague of mine. I worked with chef Allan Picket during 2006 and 2007 when we were colleagues at the Orrery Restaurant in Marylebone. At present, he is the head chef at [...]
Posted in Food and Wine Matching, Recipes, Sommelier Stories, Wine Reviews | Tagged Allan Picket, Cheese, feta, Food and wine matching, food blogs, Les Caves de Pyrene, Marylebone, Orrery, Plateau Restaurant, recipe, Recipes, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, Tomatoes, watermelon, wine blogs, Wine Reviews |
By Robert Giorgione on November 15, 2011
Owing to an overwhelming popular demand, I’ve been invited back to my home city of Bristol to co-host another Roving Sommelier wine tasting and masterclass. This time you’re in for a treat, as once again, Peter Taylor, chef/proprietor of Riverstation Restaurant and his team will welcome and indulge you with their warm and friendly hospitality. I will [...]
Posted in Food and Wine Matching, Restaurant Reviews, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, biodynamic, Book, Bristol, eBook, Food and wine matching, food blogs, Les Caves de Pyrene, Natural Wines, Riverstation, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, wine blogs, Wine tasting |
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