If you were to walk into a local supermarket and conduct an informal inventory of the types of wines sold, one of the first thing that should be apparent is the presence of a considerable numb… Read more
Wine Lovers
Let’s face it, in our age bracket most of us are seeking contentment in our lives. We’ve worked hard in our careers, many have raised a family while doing so and now in retirement we want to k… Read more
For those who enjoy wine there tends to be a graduated spectrum when it comes to actual wine knowledge. Some are strictly social wine consumers and while they may have preferences of particula… Read more
In wine as in life I’ve always been somewhat of a contrarian; ask my wife, she’ll tell you. So here we are, in the high heat of the southern Arizona summer and by all rights I should be promot… Read more
One of the nice aspects of moving cross country is the prospect of making new discoveries. Michelle and I have enjoyed the opportunity to seek out restaurants, theater and retail stores in our… Read more
Beer Snobs
Every hobby or industry sports a unique vernacular. The world of craft beer is no exception. We have previously discussed words like, “hoppy, lager, ale and bittering,” and acronyms such as, “… Read more
Summer is sizzling in Arizona. A perfect time to escape with a chill, thirst-quenching afternoon of brewery hopping. I shared a couple of Tucson favorites recently and I will share more in the… Read more
In the world of beer, there are ales and lagers. Traditional German brewing was known for its lagers. The American craft beer scene has been dominated by ales. The simplest answer to what make… Read more
As 2019 starts to heat up, the craft brewery count in Arizona tops 100. While a majority of them are found in the larger cities, there are plenty of hidden gems across the state. I have found … Read more
I have been eagerly drinking in Tom Oetinger’s column, “Wine Lovers”. (Yes, I worked hard on that pun.) He explains wine varietals, shares monthly recommendations, and highlights local wine ve… Read more
Restaurant Reviews
Are you looking for a great restaurant for a ladies luncheon, a romantic dinner or just fantastic food? Pastiche may be the place you're looking for. While the restaurant has been in town for … Read more
A few things and a few places can stand up to the test of time. However, like fine wine, fewer things and places improve over time and the aging process enhances the spirit, the aura and the f… Read more
Yes, there is a definite “vibe” to downtown Tucson life these days. The city is cleaning up its act, new businesses are sprouting, the light rail is here to stay and traffic and parking are in… Read more
This is old-time Tucson. It’s not anything close to Spanish occupation or the American Indian era. But it does take you back to the beginnings of the 20th century. It’s a mix of art deco and t… Read more
The days of fine dining at Loew’s Ventana Resort ended rather abruptly a few years back with the closing of The Ventana Room. However, there remain lots of “fine” aspects at Ventana. The golf … Read more