In Rome, I arrived expecting carbonara but discovered tripe, quinto quarto, and the rich traditions behind cucina povera. A story of Roman food, forgotten cuts, and the Verdicchio wine that brought it all together.

One minute I was surrounded by wines from sunny France and Spain. The next, I was driving through what looked suspiciously like January in my Calgary neighbourhood... on June 30. Join me for a Canada Day toast to cool-climate vineyards and a delicious coast-to-coast menu celebrating the best flavours our country has to offer.

Gödöllő-style chicken is a beloved Hungarian classic, featuring juicy roasted chicken filled with a rich stuffing of mushrooms, chicken liver, bacon, herbs, and bread. We paired ours with a Premier Cru Pouilly-Fuissé from Burgundy, whose freshness, minerality, and elegant Chardonnay character beautifully complemented the dish's rich, savoury flavours.

Gougères and Crémant are a classic French apéritif pairing. The light, cheesy choux pastries are perfectly balanced by Crémant's bright acidity and fine bubbles, which cut through the richness and keep each bite fresh, elegant, and moreish.

A love letter to morels and slow cooking. This Croûte aux Morilles brings together fresh BC-foraged mushrooms, rich cream, and Jura-inspired wine pairing ideas. What to serve them with? Ideally something crisp, nutty, or sparkling. Comfort food, but make it a little wild.

I've always been drawn to France's Jura region, so this piece explores its distinctive wines through a Jura-inspired menu featuring Morel Chicken with oxidative white wine, Trousseau with cheese, and dessert wine pairing ideas. Part travel story, part wine guide, and part mushroom obsession.

Discover the origins of sparkling wine in Limoux, where bubbles were bottled long before Champagne. This story explores Blanquette de Limoux's history and pairs it with classic Tarragon Chicken to bring France's oldest sparkling tradition to the table.

No family recipes or formal training, just curiosity and a love of Korean flavours. These four favourite dishes, from kimchi sundubu jjigae to bulgogi with japchae, are paired with wines and shared through the perspective of a home cook inspired by cooking, reading, and eating across the city.

Explore Korea's rich food and drinking culture, from its culinary traditions and fermented flavours to the history of Korean alcohol and Hallyu's global influence. Along the way, discover bold, unexpected wine pairings that complement spice, sweetness, and umami.

Our visit to Château-Grillet, the tiny Rhône jewel famous for its rare, golden-hued Viognier, turned into a memorable little fiasco. Slightly defeated but undeterred, we cracked open a humbler bottle of Viognier with an even humbler petit beurre along the Rhône. Simple, unpretentious, and unexpectedly magical. Proof that even a missed tasting can make for the perfect picnic. Santé!

Celebrate Easter with the flavours of the Loire Valley, where pâté berrichon and French goat's cheese pair beautifully with crisp Sancerre Blanc. Discover how these fresh, mineral-driven wines bring balance and elegance to the Easter table.

Truite aux amandes is one of those simple dishes that feels effortlessly special—flaky trout, golden almonds, and a buttery lemon sauce. Paired with a crisp Riesling from Trimbach, it’s a perfect introduction to Alsace, its terroir, and the incredible versatility of its wines.

Mangalica pork and morel mushrooms are a natural match—rich, earthy, and full of character. Paired with a light, spicy Szekszárd Kadarka, the dish comes together with the perfect balance of depth, freshness, and Hungarian tradition.

Rigójancsi is a Hungarian classic: layers of chocolate sponge, rich cream, and dark chocolate with a story as romantic as its flavour. Paired with a violin-shaped bottle, it’s a sweet tribute to Hungary’s love of music, culture, and indulgence.

Pissaladière is a classic Niçoise onion and anchovy tart. Not a pizza. A thick, bread-like crust is topped with slow-caramelized onions, anchovies, and black olives: no tomato, no cheese, by design. Paired with a dry Provençal rosé, it’s an instant escape from Calgary’s winter to the south of France. Comforting, snackable, and perfect Friday-night movie food.

Sourdough has less in common with supermarket bread than with wine: alive, temperamental, and full of personality. Bright, high-acid whites highlight its tang and crisp crust; stone-fruit Viognier complements its creamy, lactic side; off-dry Riesling balances spicy or funky toppings; light, earthy reds echo its chew and savoriness. The right wine transforms every loaf into an event.

Coq au Vin is French comfort food at its best: slow-cooked chicken, bacon, mushrooms, and pearl onions in a rich, savoury sauce. Paired with Château-Fuissé Juliénas, the lively Gamay brings bright fruit and freshness that keeps the dish feeling rustic yet refined.

Steamed mussels with butter, white wine, and a glass of Pouilly-Fumé. Simple, briny, and deeply satisfying. A little French flair turns an easy seafood dinner into something worth lingering over.

A pot of lentils so good it deserves its own headline. Earthy, comforting, and endlessly adaptable, these heroic lentils play beautifully with crisp-skinned salmon or rich, savoury pork. Add a glass of Canadian wine - bright Riesling or a confident Cabernet Franc - and suddenly dinner feels intentional, cozy, and a little bit celebratory. Proof that simple food, done well, is never boring.

Our anniversary falls on December 29, caught between Christmas leftovers and New Year’s chaos. So we turned it into a spaghetti-western night: wild boar burgers, smoked Gouda, Cognac mushrooms, costumes, Morricone, and a bottle of Barolo playing sheriff at the table. Dinner became a little bit of theatre and exactly the celebration we needed.