Nina Simonds
“Wine is a great partner to food – they complement and enhance one another. But beer works too!.”

Sandy BlockSandy Block’s Tip
“When it comes to enjoying wine there are no rules – it’s all about pleasure.”

Hugo’s Tip
“Nina’s tried to teach me about wines, but I prefer toilet water. (When Nina’s not looking, of course!)”

Nina Says:
Sandy Block, who is a Master of Wine (a credential NOT MANY people in this country can boast), is not only INCREDIBLY knowledgeable about wine but is down- to- earth and FUN!! What better recipe for a Spices of Life program?? Especially since we feel that a knowledge and appreciation of wine is part of the “enjoyment of life” experience. Sandy not only provides some great tips about some of his favorite summer wines but he helps us debunk some myths about the “rules” that we have come to associate with wine. Sandy, in his articulate but diplomatic manner TRASHES them all. It’s a blast and what better fun than to sip and enjoy some great wines on a summer, fall, or winter’s day???

A Votre Sante or Gan Bei, as they say in Chinese which means “Bottoms Up”!!

Nina

NEW EPISODE: Wine Tasting Myths Exposed!

Sandy Block is one of only 22 people in the USA to be a Master of Wine. With a title like that we expected him to be wearing a black belt with a wine taster attached. Instead he arrived in a business suit. Of course since we are ALL about FUN at Spices of Life, the VERY FIRST thing I did was to ask him to take off his jacket and tie (and leave his pants on!)

This episode is all about summer wines and pairings. Sound snobby? NO WAY!! We not only taste some great wine, but Sandy debunks several wine myths and provides drinking tips for those lazy summer days when all you want to do is, well, DRINK AND EAT (without the pretension).

Watch Nina drink: Wine Tasting Myths Exposed!

Remember, don’t drink and drive and make sure you try these wines with your favorite summer dishes. I’ve included one of mine:

Nina’s Healthy and Delicious Recipes

TANDOORI CHICKEN ROLL-UPS
six servings

Indian cooks bake meats in a clay oven, called a tandoor but I find that a grill works beautifully. The yogurt-based marinade tenderizes and flavors the chicken and provides a cooling (albiet spicy) contrast to the cooked meat. This dish is also delicious with turkey and seafood. AND WINE!
*Sandy and Nina recommend a full-bodied white or a delicate red, but remember – there are no rules!

More Episodes

Having dinner issues? Check out “Dinner Doctor Quick Meals”

Gossipy bit!
“Stay tuned for an intimate interview with Nell Newman of “Newman’s Own.” Nell talks about her commitment to organics and discloses how she came to start the organics division of the company and turn down the job at “Chez Panisse.”