One of my many weekend getaway options during my university days in Toronto was visiting the Niagara Falls. The waterfall itself was beautiful of course, but there’s more—it’s also where the Niagara Peninsula is, a wine region in which rare and delicious ice wines are produced (ice ... Read More
This week our local love doctors are dishing out advice on what to do with nagging partners. See what Joe (right) and Claudia (left) have to say to this brain buster:
My girlfriend is constantly nagging me. “Go buy toilet paper.” “Take out the trash.” “Wash these bowls.” I work ... Read More
Margaret River, an exceptionally beautiful premium wine-producing region in Australia, has recently caught the eye of Chinese investors as majority stakes of a few local leading properties were purchased. Its Mediterranean climate ensures mild summers and not-too-harsh winters, which in turn creates an ideal environment for vine growing. Chardonnay and ... Read More
It’s not very well known (Mid-autumn Festival and American Labor Day steal the spotlight), but International Grenache Day comes up on September 24 and I couldn’t be more excited. Grenache is one of my favorite grapes because of its juicy, fleshy, succulent character. However, it lives under the ... Read More
Château Haut-Brion is one of the most famous wineries in the world and was also a favorite of former American President Thomas Jefferson. It’s rated a Premier Cru Classé (First Growth), and I am proud to say that I’ve managed to visit the winery in Gironde, France, five ... Read More
Imagine sitting alone in a room, picking out the best wines from a lot of almost 400, one by one for three consecutive days from dusk ’til dawn. It might sound like fun at first, but it’s tougher than you think. But it’s exactly what a group of ... Read More
South Africa is known for its lions, zebras and other wildlife, but it is also one of the world’s most famous wine producing regions. I got to try lots of South Africa’s wines recently during a two-week trip there, and would like to introduce one of the country ... Read More
Spring is in the air, and that means it’s prime picnic season in Shanghai. For al fresco dining, there are no better wines than those from the Loire Valley. Known as the “Garden of France,” its wines will serve all your outdoor dining needs.
Here are three of my ... Read More
Say ’bye to the tiger and hi to the rabbit–it’s time again for some (more) serious festive feasting during Chinese New Year. Wine isn’t usually part of the holiday tradition, but here are a few food and wine matches that are quite interesting. Chicken and fish are ... Read More
Winter is coming, and there’s no better way to keep warm in Shanghai than with a glass of hearty red to go along with hearty dishes. Here are a few of my favorites.
Try M. Chapoutier Côtes-du-Rhône Belleruche Rouge 2007 (RMB158). This affordable, full-bodied and fruity red should do ... Read More
Mosel in Germany has the world’s steepest vineyards–the grapes here are sometimes grown on a 65 degree incline. The most common grape in the area is the Riesling. Because of the cool northern climate, wines made here can have as little as eight percent alcohol content, making it ... Read More
Halloween is upon us once again, and the kids will have tons of fun accumulating chocolates and candy bars. But I like to have my own Halloween fun by popping open some of my favorite red wines with scary labels. In the spirit of the season, try the Torbreck Juveniles ... Read More
Grace Vineyard is China’s most famous family-owned winery and grows grapes on over 200 hectares in Shanxi Province. The winery is best known for its reds, but don’t overlook their whites–they’re just as good, if not better.
Try the Symphony Series 2009 (RMB178), a collaboration between ... Read More
It’s back-to-school time again, but even if you’ve already graduated, seeking new knowledge is a lifetime pursuit. Take Penfolds, for example. The Australian winery was known for producing sweet fortified Port and Sherry-style wines from as far back as the 1850s, but in 1951, a study trip to ... Read More
Rosé wines are cool, refreshing and easy to drink. Accordingly, they’re a popular choice for many in the summer, especially in areas near the Mediterranean in the southern parts of France and Spain. Made virtually the same way as a red wine, its pink appearance comes from the fact ... Read More
It takes a healthy dose of self-confidence and a sort of “nose up” to the ways of tradition, to present yourself to the public in your natural glory. But with Champagne, self-assuredness is a commodity supplied in buckets, so it comes as no surprise that more producers are presenting themselves ... Read More
If I had a glass of Champagne Jacquesson for every time someone asked me for a great wine bar to venture to in Shanghai, I would be very happy, and very drunk. Many expats new to this town, who’ve experienced classic European and even new world wine bars, have ... Read More
Schizophrenically eccentric, thin-skinned, an iron fist in a velvet glove and just outright broodingly complex–these are descriptions that befit the world of Pinot Noir, and I am describing those who drink it as well as the wine. Mercuris Fine Wine Merchants in Shanghai hosted two exceptional Burgundy tastings, providing ... Read More
Here's Pie in Your Eye
Is there a niche market for pies in Shanghai? People here sure seem to like our pies a lot, but who doesn't like a tasty filling and great pastry? Loads of cultures have their version of pie, they just call them things like ... Read More
Can someone please enlighten me as to the state of wine lists in this town? Greedy operators preying on confused customers continue to have ridiculous mark-ups, margins, gross profits and percentage of cost calculations that see generic wines valued at 100 kuai in the hypermarkets go for 500 on lists ... Read More
The barbecue season is winding down. Has it been a grueling few months? A bit. The Shanghai summer is a little more hot and humid than I had expected and standing behind a barbecue does not offer much relief. Why do you think barbecues are so popular? It's just ... Read More
Wine, like any other industry, has its players. At the big end of town, ASC rules the roost, influencing the market while dressed in the familiar "big business" attire, the dark pin-striped suit (how about some Miami Vice ivory linen, boys?). At the other end of the spittoon, the minors ... Read More
The Last Month
If all goes well, when can we expect Stiller's to open? We're aiming to be in soft opening by the middle or end of August with the grand opening in September. So you're pretty busy. Yes, the construction is about 80 percent done but ... Read More
The Queen of Thai
What first compelled you to start thaifoodstation? My mother, my auntie and Shanghai. Explain. My mother and my aunt owned a little Thai restaurant in Bangkok over 10 years ago. They thought I should start something here. The market for Thai restaurants at the time was ... Read More
Burying a cow's horn full of manure at the autumn equinox and digging it up in the spring is but one of the many esoteric practices of Biodynamic viticulture. Yes, even in wine, "bio" is the new buzz word, and Michel Chapoutier from the Rhone Valley in France is ... Read More