Discover the riches of Le Marche, a jewel in Italy’s cultural crown. Enjoy regional food and wine specialties while taking in spectacular views of the Mediterranean’s northernmost arm, the Adriatic Sea.
Author: Kathy Merchant
I am a passionate wine educator and writer.
Diploma graduate of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, French Wine Scholar, Italian Wine Scholar, and Certified Specialist of Wine.
Italian Cooking with a Heart, Kitchen & Chat
When you meet Elisa Venturi, within moments it will be 100% clear why she named her business Elisa Cuore (heart), Cucina (kitchen), and Chiacchiere (chat). Ten American women recently descended on Elisa’s home kitchen in Pesaro, Italy, for a cooking class. She was admittedly nervous. So were we! It was our first evening together as…
Mt. Etna’s Benanti Winery: Va Bene!
Explore a brief history of Sicilian wine and the pioneering work of Dr. Giuseppe Benanti to produce wine made from outstanding white and red indigenous grapes.
Michelin Dining in Sicily
Italy boasts 371 Michelin star restaurants, ranking third behind France and Japan. Sicily is just beginning to come into its own in this culinary realm with two 2* and fourteen 1* restaurants. I had the pleasure today of a five-course “Equilibrio” lunch at 1* Ristorante Coria in Caltagirone. The hilly town of Caltagirone is perhaps…
Aging Gracefully: Connecticut’s Haight-Brown Vineyard
Many of America’s first wineries were established by state farm acts permitting small vineyards to sell wine commercially. Haight-Brown Vineyard was #1 in Connecticut.
Future of Wine in 2021? Some Answers.
In my post last weekend about the post-pandemic future of wine, I included a few questions posed during industry webinars in February and March. April brings more than May flowers! See the latest projections from SevenFiftyDaily. U.S. distributors are optimistic about the future of wine. “Vaccinations are here, weather is warming, and restaurants in every…
Post-Pandemic Future of Wine
The future of wine in 2021 and beyond is looking up!
Road Trip: Midwest Urban Wineries
As travel opportunities begin to reopen, you may be planning a summer road trip. For Midwesterners who love wine, a road trip through Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky offers surprising treats! Midwest urban wineries in Detroit, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Louisville add spice to the overall wine tourism experience. “Road Trips” was the theme for the…
Farm to Table at the Farmstead: Chef Lauren Reed
My story about Farm Chef Lauren Reed highlights her unique role bringing farm-to-table dining to life at The Farm At Prophetstown near Lafayette, Indiana. Chef Lauren’s creative menus demonstrate how home cooks can transform ordinary dishes into delicious meals using fresh farm products. Monthly dinners sell out in just a few days. The theme for…
Game Changer: Chef David Danielson
As executive chef at Churchill Downs, Chef David Danielson leads the culinary team of one of the largest sports and entertainment venues in the United States. Best known for the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs offers so much more–race days, holiday events, and since July 2020, Matt Winn’s Steakhouse available for fine dining Wednesday through Saturday…