It is not often that we have the pleasure of consuming a Lebanese wine. We have always found their reds to be in the “good,” “very good,” and “noteworthy” categories, but one does not encounter their wonderful wines very often. In some ways that is ironic, because Lebanon is an Old-World producer—no, let me rephrase … Continue reading Dar Richi “Hanan” 2018 from Lebanon
If any of our readers should find themselves in Hanoi with a thirst for finely crafted beer, this writer highly recommends a visit to Pasteur Street Brewing Co. A reasonably priced flight will get you the following: Jasmine IPA: light orange in color, yeasty, a hint of jasmine, weighing in at 50 IPUs, 6.5% ABV. … Continue reading Pasteur Street Brewing Co
Fallen Apples* The word cat makes an appearance in a number of English expressions, the often-used “to let the cat out of the bag,” the ever off-putting “to skin a cat,” and the inscrutable “to rain cats and dogs,” for example. Lesser-known of course are the obsolete “you kill my cat and I’ll kill your … Continue reading An Apple Called “Cat” and What It Can Do
In August 2023 Len Chandler, a classically trained musician and topical songwriter famous during the folk music boom of the 1960s, passed away. Mr. Chandler was a man of many talents, but he is best remembered for his childlike, but ever-so-serious song, “Beans in My Ears.” The little ditty was somewhat controversial and banned by … Continue reading Beans, Some Have Them in Their Ears, Permanently; Others in Their Mouths
Mercury* Merlot is a mercurial grape: it can produce a red-fruit forward wine (think strawberries) or one heavy in the direction of black, like black plums. To some extent, it very much depends upon whimsical Mother Nature: when she blows cold, you usually can expect the former; when she is a bit hot under the … Continue reading Clos Sainte-Anne Merlot 2014
Man by Pins, Jacob (1917-2005) - 1984 - Jewish Historical Museum, Netherlands - Public Domain.https://www.europeana.eu/item/270/resource_document_jhm_museum_M008413 This is the eighth and final entry in our multi-part series on marketing Japan to affluent foreign tourists. A growing number of people and firms within the Japanese hospitality sector now understand the importance of attracting the high-end traveler, who … Continue reading Afterthought
This is the seventh entry in our multi-part series on marketing Japan to affluent foreign tourists. In November 2023, we had the good fortune of having lunch at and touring the premises of the Shisui Hotel in Nara. The Shisui is one of Bonvoy Marriott’s Luxury Collection hotels. There are thirty-one of them. If there … Continue reading The Shisui Hotel
Drinking Japan 