Debra C Argen & Edward F Nesta

There are concerts, and then there are CONCERTS (!), and the concert given by Ranky Tanky with special guest Lisa Fischer at The Quick Center for the Arts in Fairfield, Connecticut definitely fell into the latter category! It was an evening of exceptional Roots, Gullah, and Jazz music that had an appreciative audience on its feet awarding the double Grammy winners with standing ovations throughout the concert on Friday, November 10, 2023.

The Russian River Valley is noted for producing great wines, and 90+ Cellars Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2021 Lot 130 is gorgeous. Richly aromatic with heady aromas of green apple, lemony citrus, tropical fruit, and a light toasty oak finish on the palate, make it delicious to drink on its own or to pair with food. We paired it with Luxury Experience – Salmon in a Beurre Blanc Sauce with Mushroom Wild Rice which brought out the lushness and complex …

We saw the Tony Award winning play Clybourne Park performed at the Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) in Norwalk, Connecticut on opening night, and it is a powerhouse of an impactful play written by Bruce Norris that will have you talking about it, and thinking about it, long after you leave the theatre. Pamela Hill directs the Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner and has a well-chosen cast comprised of Susan Haefner, SJ Hannah, Rae Janeil, Matt Mancuso, Frank Mastrone, Nick …

Cherise Coaches Sings Ella Fitzgerald If you love Jazz, you will definitely want to see First Lady of Song: Cherise Coaches Sings Ella Fitzgerald at the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut. We had the pleasure of attending opening night, Saturday, October 28, 2023, where the talented Cherise Coaches transfixed the audience as she sang the music of the legendary Ella Fitzgerald, the “First Lady of Song.” Joined by her band comprised of Ryan Bennett on drums, Runere Brooks on …

Milano Wine Week 2023 Italian Masterclass Milano Wine Week in New York City is always a highlight of the wine season. We attended two very interesting and informative International Wine Masterclasses for industry professionals at Il Gattopardo restaurant in New York City on October 11, 2023, part of the Milano Wine Week presentations (October 7-15, 2023). Wine education consisted of tasting 8 wines per Masterclass, followed by a delicious lunch buffet featuring Il Gattopardo’s Southern Italian cuisine. Bellissimo!

If you are looking for a delicious lower-alcohol choice, Thompson’s Cider Mill Hard Cider crafted in small batches from a proprietary blend of heirloom and antique apples at Thompson’s Cider Mill in Croton-on-Hudson, New York is a fabulous choice. Their award-winning ciders come in 9-flavors, in dry and semi-dry styles. Thompson’s Cider Mill Hard Cider Antique Apple Blend Semi-Dry, only has 7% alcohol by volume, is delicious to drink on its own and is also delicious in cocktails. In addition …

Autumn is on its way, and our thoughts turn to enjoying heavier-bodied red wines bursting with flavor. Poggio Rosso Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2018 San Felice, Italy is a sensational dry, red wine from the Tuscan region that embodies a great wine. Made from 100% Sangiovese grapes, aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, followed by 15 months in the bottle, this wine has a cellaring capability of 20-25 years. We opened a bottle 5 years into its …

When we think of pairing Tempranillo, our thoughts turn to tapas, and Monteabellón 5 meses en barrica Tempranillo 2021 D.O. Ribera Del Duero, Spain is not only delectable, it also pairs well with a variety of food. Aged for 5 months in oak barrels, 50% French oak and 50% American oak, this deep red wine is gorgeously aromatic with blackberries, blueberries, and black cherries on the nose and on the palate and layered oak notes. Salud!

Red wine lovers are in for a treat with the San Felice Chianti Classico DOCG 2021. This traditional, elegant Chianti Classico delivers cherries, raspberries, and hints of violets on the nose and palate and pairs well with a diverse variety of food. We paired it with our recipe for Luxury Experience – Swordfish with Tomatoes, Shitake Mushrooms, and Red Peppers and it was a delicious pairing.

LaBelle Winery winemaker and owner Amy LaBelle has crafted a very delicious, elegant, and very special dry white wine with her LaBelle Winery Amherst Vineyard Estate White. Made in Amherst, New Hampshire, LaBelle Winery Amherst Vineyard Estate White sings the praises of New England and the New Hampshire terroir. This is a delectable wine to drink on its own to pair with a variety of food. We paired it with Luxury Experience – Artichoke and Green Chile Mousse and it …