Author Archives: firstvine

A Refresher Course in Why I Like Wine So Much

Posted on May 23, 2013

Reading this blog, it doesn’t take long to figure out that I’m fascinated by a lot of aspects of wine.  Scientific issues for sure, and of course the interactions of food and wine.  But I also enjoy some of what … Continue reading →

Posted in Languedoc wines, Musings/Lectures/Rants, Tom Natan, Uncategorized, wine delivery washington dc | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Occasional Cookbook Reviews: Recipe Rehab

Posted on May 21, 2013

Recipe Rehab is a food makeover TV show airing weekends on ABC.  Each week, a family asks for help lightening up a favorite recipe, and two Recipe Rehab chefs give it a go.  The family makes both recipes and picks … Continue reading →

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Historic preservation through winemaking

Posted on May 2, 2013

I have to admit that I get to see a lot of beautiful places as a wine importer.  People don’t go on reverently about the South of France for nothing, after all.  For most of first vine’s producers in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Abbaye de Valmagne, Bodega Traslagares, Languedoc wines, Musings/Lectures/Rants, recipes, Tom Natan, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Welcome to DC’s new online spirits store, and an adult version of black jelly beans

Posted on March 28, 2013

Brace yourselves — this post isn’t about wine.  Shocking, right?  But it is about alcohol and buying it online. I’m pleased to introduce you, our First Vine customers and blog readers,  to Federal Spirits, an online-only purveyor of American craft … Continue reading →

Posted in Absinthe, Toulouse Red Absinthe, wine delivery washington dc | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Belated St Patrick’s Day

Posted on March 19, 2013

So maybe you bought the cabbage but never got around to the whole corned beef , cabbage and potatoes thing.  And that head of cabbage is still sitting in your produce drawer (taking up a ton of space I might … Continue reading →

Posted in Dare Wenzler, Inexpensive Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tasty sweet wines from Fabbioli Cellars, and a great event space at Vida U Street

Posted on March 13, 2013

When we started this blog we thought we’d be doing some short posts on things going on in DC along with posts about wine and recipes.  That certainly fell by the wayside, didn’t it?  Part of the problem is that … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

First Vine News Roundup

Posted on March 8, 2013

As you’ve been reading our musings on girl scout cookies and “perfect” wine pairings, you’ve no doubt been wondering, “What’s up with First Vine anyway?”  We assume you meant that in a good way, of course, and there’s plenty going … Continue reading →

Posted in First Vine News, slow cooker, Tom Natan, Uncategorized, wine delivery washington dc | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Different Kind of March Madness

Posted on March 3, 2013

Even if you don’t have a girl scout actually living under your roof the way we do, you can’t miss them.  Girl Scout cookies.  Love them or hate them, they are EVERYWHERE now. Cookie sales began as—and still are—a means … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Sorry, internet age: Maryland’s just not that into you

Posted on February 21, 2013

While it’s legal for people over 21 to drink alcohol, we all know that your ability to buy it depends on where you live.  And when you live in a metro region that includes three jurisdictions (plus county-specific regulations), you … Continue reading →

Posted in Champagne Bernard Mante, Dessert recipes, Ginger cake, Maryland Wine Shipping, Musings/Lectures/Rants, Uncategorized, wine delivery washington dc | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Broccoli for 8 Year Olds (and for the rest of us)

Posted on February 15, 2013

As a parent, one of your main jobs is dreaming up creative ways of getting green vegetables into your child. Our girl’s green veg repertoire consists of edamame, green beans and the occasional spinach leaf or celery stalk. We’ve of … Continue reading →

Posted in Dare Wenzler | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment