INK MAGAZINE - OCTOBER 2023

Finally, your back pain can take a hike.

Thanks to recent advances in less invasive surgery options and faster recovery times, you don’t have to live with neck and back pain anymore. Whether it’s physical therapy, pain management, behavioral health or surgery, Middlesex Health has an entire network of specialists ready to provide the best care for your needs.

MiddlesexHealth.org/Spine

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10 20 32 50 62

Nolan Sposner

a gem at Deep River What’s Greg Drinking? - gritty, scrappy, Cabernet Franc 42 Ask Ashley - fall fashion in Connecticut. 46 The Cheesemonger - wine & cheese pairings, solved. 72

Michael Pressman: storyteller in Pictures

Jewelers General Stanton Inn occasional bumps in the night Robert Zott laureate of cemetaries Summer of the Shark tales from the Crusty Old Diver

“There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir: We must rise and follow her, When from every hill of flame She calls, and calls each vagabond by name.” William Bliss

Fall is the favorite spot on the calendar for many. The promise of inclement weather seems to leave us looking inward. A “battening down of the hatches” both physically and mentally. Before the cold, long daily walks as far as you are able would be a fine prescription.

Anyone who has followed INK over the years may have noticed that our Halloween issues are often different than the rest. Growing up, I was always a fan of the spectacle. Long before “too much of a good thing” became every day, Halloween was about cutting your own kite string. The mantra was to take one day and just make it a goof. A time to take a walk on the wild side, be different, and to celebrate.

So, here we are. In this month’s issue, we feature Nolan Sponsler of Deep River Designs. A great guy who pays an honor, and is dedicated to his craft. Handmade and designed Jewelry to be cherished. Captain Stanton Inn receives a fair share of ghost stories from their visitors. Photographer Michael Pressman sees the world through his lense and uses those images to share his story. The gravestone poetry by Robert Zott is a fine touch to any October collection. And lastly, the Crusty Old Diver had a lot of encounters with sharks this year...

Enjoy the issue and SHOP LOCAL!

Jeffery Lilly founder / publisher

Rona Contact us to receive our media kit with detailed marketing information.

Departments Rona Mann - Greater Connecticut six07co@att.net - 401-539-7762 Richard Malinsky - Shoreline richard@inkct.com - 215.704.9273

OUR STORY LIVES ON...

Experience the world’s largest Native American Museum and discover the story of the Pequot people, their connection to their environment, hardships and their resurgence.

A Story of Grit, Determination & Getting it Over the Perfectly Cut Diamond

By Rona

The best shortstops are the ones who play smart. They know how to get the most out of their natural abilities.

Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, when young Nolan Sponsler hung with his friends who spent considerable time fantasizing about what they wanted to be when they grew up, Nolan knew right from the beginning that he wanted to play baseball. Not just pick-up baseball with his buddies as a pastime, but the real deal. Indicative of everything he would go after in the future, he worked at it, becoming good. Good enough that he won a couple of scholarships to college where coaches immediately recognized his speed, his agility and technique, and made him a shortstop, widely considered the most valuable position on the field. They are considered meticulous craftsmen of the sport of baseball.

Today, many years thereafter, Nolan Sponsler remains a meticulous craftsman, but he threw the glove down years ago and in its place picked up the skills and artistry of a traditional goldsmith creating high-end wearable art for those who appreciate pieces meticulously crafted, rooted in both artistry and history.

Mann / Photography Courtesy of Deep River Jewelry Design

Photo by Jeffery Lilly

‘Pharoah’s Eye’ 9.6 ct Natural Australian Sapphire set in 18ky Gold

There was a lot that occurred between a college D-1 baseball team and becoming a much sought-after gem cutter and designer, which Sponsler modestly refers to as “just me moving forward.” Understatement at its finest!

It’s a fascinating, albeit not always happy story of fear, loss, addiction, resolve, and redemption, but it’s one he has asked us to tell. Nolan Sponsler has no shame and no excuses. He has learned from his past and is fiercely proud of what he’s now become and what he creates, so he wants people to know nothing was ever handed to him. It was solid determination, willpower, research, risk-taking behavior, and sweat equity that all served as the cornerstones of his success, and he is forthcoming with details.

While living in the Midwest and going to school, there was a horrific incident in which some sketchy members of the college basketball team broke into his apartment, attacking him and his roommates with violence that began with a headlock and escalated to ending in gunfire. Ultimately, two of Nolan’s friends died, and he was left with serious depression, PTSD, and his dreams of playing professional ball forever shattered. Sadly, the doctors he sought only knew how to treat paralyzing depression with drugs; and although reluctant at first to take them, Nolan knew he had to do something to pull himself out of the awful rabbit hole. He also knew he was bigger than those drugs and could quit any time he wanted. Bottom line: he couldn’t. But Nolan Sponsler is a man of great resolve possessed of an iron will; and even though he was cautioned not to quit these powerful drugs cold turkey, he eschewed the warnings and did it. All on his own!

Now he found himself in Connecticut, living in his parents’ cellar, and being pressured to get a job. But what could he do, the horror of the past still playing havoc in his brain? Although he had absolutely no experience, a friend told him a big box jewelry store was looking to hire an apprentice. “From the time I was a young child I always

Photos by Jeffery Lilly

No-Oil Natural Russian Emerald, French Set Diamonds, 18ky Gold & Platinum

“Every day after work I stayed in the store until I learned to set stones and every other facet of jewelry making.

I did that for four years. I figured I’ve got to learn everything I can while someone was paying me.”

had an artistic background, and I had confidence enough, so I got the job as a low-level bench jeweler stuck in the back of the store fixing chains and torching rings for $12.50 per hour. If I weren’t living in my parents’ cellar, I couldn’t have made it.”

But Sponsler was never one to rest on his laurels nor accept what life handed him. He was out to change things! “Every day after work I stayed in the store until I learned to set stones and every other facet of jewelry making. I did that for four years. I figured I’ve got to learn everything I can while someone was paying me.” Then he started making his own creations on the side.

“I’d work all day in the store, then go home at night and make jewelry in the cellar, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted to learn how to cut gemstones from the best so I could be the best. So, I called Hashnu in Ithaca, New York. They are a world-class lapidary studio, and I asked if I could come up there for some instruction.”

Hashnu agreed, and Nolan spent a weekend of precious quality time with Mark Oros who taught him everything he knew about cabbing (a popular process of cutting gemstones), carving, and the faceting of precious gemstones. Now back in his parents’ cellar, he made a life-altering decision. “In 2018 I quit my job and started working for myself. I had learned from any mistakes I had made in those four years at the jewelry store, and now there were no more mistakes. I didn’t have any money of my own, but I had credit cards. So, I maxed them out and bought my equipment. Expensive equipment.”

Clockwise: 148 Carat Congo Tourmaline, Now Residing in Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum, Diamond & Hand Engraved Solitaire 2.4 Carat Diamond, Gradient Blue & Orange Sapphires

“I wanted to learn how to cut gemstones from the best so I could be the best. So, I called Hashnu in Ithaca, New York. lapidary studio, and I asked if I could come up there for some instruction.”

Sponsler points to his pride and joy, an 1866 ornamental turning lathe operated by hand-turning and usage of a foot pedal. It’s fully operational, and when combined with Nolan’s artistry and know-how, it turns out designs and pieces that are simply impeccable. The price tag ran into the multi-thousands, but it is priceless to the man who considers it a true partner in his artistry.

For a short time, Sponsler moved to northern California where he and some friends had a gallery, but always he wanted more. More knowledge. More craftsmanship. He wanted to excel at what now would be his life’s work. “I had heard of the New Approach School for Jewelry near Nashville, Tennessee. It was a three-month master class in custom jewelry making, but it was very expensive. I couldn’t afford it,” but through sheer determination and knowing a friend of a friend he got hired to work there and met Jason Marchiafava, the finest instructor in the school known as J. Fava, a third-generation artist and craftsman trained in the best traditional methods of working with precious metals and gemstones including hand engraving. Jason had earned the title of Master Craftsman of Tiffany & Company and is now the Master Craftsman in the New Approach School.

So, Nolan Sponsler trained with the best and took a valuable gemstone of artistry from each of them. In March 2022 he bought Deep River Design where he practices the craft of creating high-end wearable art heirloom jewelry. He is eager to show everyone the 500 lb. amethyst in the foyer, the one that visitors walk right by when entering! He laughs when he recounts how most people go straight by this magnificent 500 lb. treasure, but when he redirects them, there are nothing but audible gasps.

Above Right: Original & Fully Functional Ornamental Lathe built in London, 1866, Inset View of Drawer. Photos on the right by Jeffery Lilly

“It’s

pointless to have a nice clean desk, because it means you’re not doing anything.” — Michio Kaku

Nolan Sponsler invested a lot in his life but also lost a lot, still he has no regrets. With his grit, determination, and refusal to fall down and not get right up, he has arrived at this place of which he is undeniably proud. He looks around at everything in his magnificent gallery/workshop and smiles, “I’m in a good place now. A really good place. I love what I do.”

When playing shortstop, you have to cover the most ground of any position on the field and do it well. So sometimes you move to your left, then quickly to your right, and sometimes it takes you into the outfield for short fly balls, so you have to have good range, a strong resolve, and be able to pivot quickly. But with a perfectly crafted play in baseball as in gold-smithing and the quality design of gemstones, “I just want my work to speak for itself.”

It does, Nolan. It certainly does.

Visit Deep River Design at 381 Main Street in Deep River. (860) 526-9270 www.deepriverjewelry.com

Clockwise: 18ky Gold Guilloche, Diamonds & Platinum, Now Residing in Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum, Guilloche Engraved Pendants, turned on Rose Engine, ‘Snowflake’ Pave, Technique

Learned from Master Craftsman of Tiffany & Co. Galactic Princess Newly discovered ‘Dragon’ Garnet, Pink/White Diamonds, Jedi Pink Spinel, Guilloche Anodized Titanium, 14k Rose Gold & Platinum

Nolan and his Partner Stefanie, Backdoor Tools of the Trade, Studio.

Photos this Page by Jeffery Lilly

NORTH STONINGTON, CT

NEW ENGLAND LANDSCAPE

September 29 – November 9, 2023

Opening Reception: Friday, October 6, 5 –7 pm

Concurrent show BON APPETIT

Presenting Sponsors

Art: Janine Robertson, Lavender Haze Mystical Shadows, oil.

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On another dayy, , Richardson was in the west dining room and walking to the linen closet when she heard a man s behind herr, , but no one was there. “It was so prominent, turned around thinking someone had shown up to wor

A fisherman who stayed overnight in the 1740 King Gu Room told Richardson about an experience he had in th room that made the hair stand up on the back of his arm “He saw the figure of a person standing in the corner. When he turned and looked at the bed, he said it looke like a child’s silhouette sitting” on the side of it. It then up and walked into the wall.

A bartender known as “Lovey” watched a doorknob in the Prohibition Room turn all by itself as she went to reach for it. Another bartender reported that whenever she goes to the basement, someone brushes up against her

New Owners Jackie and David Moore purchased the inn on February 9, 2022, and opened the 50-seat tavern restaurant and 22-seat, U-shaped bar on August 10th the same year - after a complete renovation and installing new flooring and a state-of-the-art sound system. The inn’s 14 rooms with private bathrooms have also been completely renovated.

“WWe e didn’t even hear about the ghost stories until after we . W operty purchased the pr y. We e were fascinated by it,” David said. “WWee've had a couple of ghost hunters and paranormalists come through and they find activity and they've got stories to tell.”

One of the first paranormalist ladies that came in almost immediately asked the couple if they knew they had a ghost cat – something they had never heard of.

Evening V Viiew of The General

Stanton Inn at 4115 Old Post Rd. in Charlestown, Rhode Island was founded in 1740. Photo by Jackie

Moore

Since then, three unrelated people (including a former bartender) who have seen the white ghost cat, have visited and asked the couple if they’ve seen it. David's brother has also captured a recording of what sounds like "meow."

At Christmastime last yearr, , David said their daughterr, , Sarah, placed an electric candle in a window and plugged it in, only to see the wire jerked out of the wall when she stepped back.

Additionallyy, , the previous owner shared that her granddaughter saw couples dancing in the ballroom, "and described flapper girls doing the Charleston,” Jackie said.

People walking by the inn have also seen Gen. Joseph Stanton in military garb peering out a guest room window after his death in 1821.

On two occasions, people staying in Guest Room 14 have said they heard loud noises and a raucous above them, even though there isn’t a room overhead. “One person d right by their ear hear r, , ‘Get out. Let's go,’” Jackie said.

She theorized these could be the voices of ghosts who visited the inn when it was a speakeasy and illicit gambling house. Sheexplainedwhenpoliceraidedtheinn

She explained when police raided the inn, guests sometimes escaped by climbing through an upper dining room (now a guest room) window onto the roof and then jumping down to the ground.

One of the paranormalists discovered through research that a little girl, maybe General Stanton's daughterr, , died, possibly from falling down the stairs, “because her activity is very present on the stairs. And people have reported seeing a little eightto-ten-year-old girl in a white bonnet,” David said.

Asked if they lose staff or guests over these ghost stories, David said people fall into one of two categories. “There are those who are very much attracted to ghost stories and want something to happen. Others are intrigued, but they don't want to experience anything personallyy..”

Generaal Stanton Inn plaque.

wn, Rhode Island.

Owner Jackie Moore at the front portico entrance of the General Stanton Inn in Charlestow

However, they did have one guest cancel when her adult daughter learned the inn is haunted. “Every single thing that we know, feel, have heard, and have experienced, everything is benevolent. There is nothing evil or nasty or scary,” Jackie said. Personally, she said she saw a glass fly across the bar one night. Another time, Jackie was pouring coffee from one urn into another. “I literally felt my hand being pushed... and I spilled the coffee all over. I thought that that was weird because I was watching it.”

Couples’ inspiration to buy the inn

Having lived in Green Hill Beach in South Kingstown, Rhode Island for 27 years and being semi-retired, the Moores were looking for a project.

As history buffs who also enjoy architecture, Jackie said, “Just driving by it and seeing it become more and more dilapidated, it hurts the community; it hurts your soul when you see something falling into disrepair."

"We thought it would be very interesting to restore an historic inn. So, we jumped in with both feet," said David, a University of Rhode Island graduate, who majored in history. "One of the big reasons we bought it is we have our own sense of community and giving back we envision,” he said.

General Stanton Inn Owner Jackie Moore shows where the basement tunnel was filled in. “In the early 1830s Brigadier General Joseph Stanton V befriended abolitionist Moses Brown who enlisted Stanton to assist runaway African American slaves traveling north on the underground railroad,” according to thegeneralstantoninn.com website.

General Joseph Stanton (portrayed by Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Gilbert, Adjutant, of the Pawtuxet Rangers in Rhode Island) by his graveside. Photo by David Moore

Gen. George Washington met with Marquis de Lafayette of France and Gen. Joseph Stanton III during the 1770s in this private back area of the main house – away from prying eyes, according to General Stanton Inn Owner Jackie Moore.

Situated on almost seven acres, the General Stanton Inn has been a big community establishment for many years – utilized for weddings, birthday parties and organizational meetings. They have also continued a tradition as the longest running flea market in Rhode Island on their grounds, now in its 56th year.

David said he was drawn to the inn’s strong history throughout the Revolutionary War dating back to 1740.

The inn was a secret gathering place for Gen. George Washington, Gen. Joseph Stanton III and Marquis de Lafayette of France during the Revolutionary War. In the spring of 1778, they planned the defense of Newport, Rhode Island, which was occupied and under British rule at the time, David said.

“Washington had a very close-knit group of friends. He was among the first to figure out that loose lips sink ships. And so he was very protective with his orders and with his circle of confidants. And Stanton was one of them.” Situated on the Old Post Road, the inn was also a stagecoach stop.

Jackie’s favorite story is about how the Stanton Family acquired their plantation and wealth (without exploiting slaves). Thomas Stanton, a trader and interpreter for the Native American Indians, was gifted

This back servants’ staircase is part of the 1740 house, where it is believed Gen. Joseph Stanton’s daughter died.

Owner Jackie Moore in the guest room where people outside said they saw Gen. Joseph Stanton in military garb peering through this window after his death in 1821.

Damian Mollo beautifully renovated each of the Inn's 14 private bathrooms. Photo Courtesy of the Inn.

The General Stanton Inn’s 50-seat Prohibition Dining Room. “This is the room where they would have had dinner, dancing, and drinking. Then they would go upstairs and gamble,” Owner Jackie Moore said. Utilized as a speakeasy, she said this room was populated by people such as Al Capone and Diamond Jim Brady.

The General Stanton Inn’s 1740 King Guest Room. Photo by David Moore

a 10-mile tract of land by the Niantics in 1655 after rowing 12 miles over ocean swells to broker a deal and rescue their young princess from the Manesses Indians (also called the Manissean Indians) on Block Island.

By the 1840s, the inn was an illicit gambling house, which listed Diamond Jim Brady and John D. Rockefeller among its patrons.

During Prohibition (1920-1933), the inn was also a hideout for Block Island rum runners and gangsters – including Al Capone.

Over the years, Presidents Chester Arthur and Theodore Roosevelt visited the inn, as well as George H.W. Bush, who stopped by while training as a naval pilot at the Charlestown Airport during World War II.

The Moores admitted they sometimes think about what they have gotten themselves into. “We went from semi-retirement to (working) 80 hours a week,” joked David, while Jackie laughed. “Most of the time,” Jackie said they're having fun.

The General Stanton Inn is located at 4115 Old Post Rd., Charlestown, RI 02813. For more information, call 401364-8888, or email innkeeper@thegeneralstantoninn.com.

General Stanton Inn Owners David and Jackie Moore in the Narragansett Room. Built in 1667, it was used as a schoolhouse to educate Native American children and those of Thomas Stanton’s.

Jackie picking up awards on July 22. Best New Restaurant in South County amd Colonial Comeback for Renovating the Inn.

The General Stanton Inn at 4115 Old Post Rd. in Charlestown, Rhode Island

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Profile By Rona Mann / Photographs Courtesy of Michael Pressman

Does the photographer create the image? Or does the image create the man?

In the case of former broadcast journalist, and the past, present, and future photographer he finds images that find him. He has always had a love affair with the lens, bumping headlong into images right where life has taken him, whether as a curious young boy growing up in Brooklyn enamored of his first Kodak Brownie Hawkeye camera, on a television sound stage, or in a Land Rover deep in the Serengeti in the company of a few other serious pros and one very old, tired lion.

From the early days of a beloved childhood spent in Brooklyn (“Is there another, better place to grow up?”)to 30 years spent as a broadcast journalist on NBC’s TODAY Show, Dateline, ABC News, and 20/20 in addition to other news magazines and documentaries, it’s always been photography that captured his attention as much as Pressman captured

his images. The biography on the Michael Pressman Photography website plainly states that although his journalism career had focused on video and film, it was in “real life” that he found his true calling, his love, and his unending passion for single-image photography.

In single-image photography, it is the details of a picture that tell the story, and few tell the story better than Pressman. In his own words, “We are bombarded daily with thousands of fleeting images, yet a single photographic image can remain for decades indelibly etched in our minds.”

If we are to pare down all the techniques that are too technical for the average person to comprehend such as shutter speeds and depths of field, apertures and aspect ratios, exposure, refraction, and color, we find that at the very heart of exceptional photography and at Michael Pressman’s very heart is the simple art of telling a story. Many people are storytellers by means of the written word,

with paint on canvas, with the spoken word, or with sculpted clay, but a photographer is a very special kind of storyteller. They have no words, no audio, no pottery to throw... they have just a click, and good or bad, large or small, in focus or blurred, their story is told. Michael Pressman has always told stories with his work, and his canvas is wherever he and his iPhone travel, wherever the images find them, and then follows the undeniable technique of working in partnership, recording a moment in time. What began with a Brownie camera later transitioned to a Nikon, but now this photographer uses only an iPhone for his captures.

Pressman, who moved to Connecticut some eight years ago and resides in Ivoryton, is represented by Kehler Liddell Gallery in New Haven, but right now he has a show at the Main Street Art Gallery within Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek in Chester. This magnificent building was designed by noted artist, Sol LeWitt, a conceptual artist often linked to the minimalist movement.

His open, airy design with a shallow dome supported by wooden roof beams was specifically constructed as a nod to the wooden synagogues of Eastern Europe. The foyer was designed to serve as an art gallery open to the public featuring works by Jewish artists with Jewish themes, yet relatable to the local community. Exhibits are always free, and the public is invited to view them Monday through Friday 10 AM-3 PM. Michael Pressman’s show is on view throughout the month of October with a wine and cheese reception and an opportunity to meet Pressman in person Sunday, October 8th from 3-5 PM.

“I had an exhibit at the synagogue five years ago before Covid and look forward to bringing my work to this space again. It is a beautiful gallery.” Pressman’s show features two distinctly different exhibits, “Surface Rising” and “Bald Eagles.” In “Surface Rising” Pressman challenges the viewer by posing the question, “What’s realism and what’s abstraction?” It presents his diptychs – an extraordinarily large

pair of photographs single frame. Those Main Street Gallery white shot of the Co taken with an expos (“I like long exposur a related color comp built from his other of this intriguing tw Eagles,” shot by Pres when he “opened hi shutter multiple tim Michael spent five d by his subjects, a pop

side by side in a who venture to The will see a black and onnecticut shoreline ure of five minutes re times”) paired with posite Pressman has images. The balance wo-part show is “Bald ssman earlier this year is eyes” and clicked his mes near Homerr, , Alaska. days there surrounded pulation of some 30,000 ffidht eagles. This show offers paired photographs, “one image from each genre as if one click of the shutter had captured both. It’s simply how I see the world.”

How Pressman sees the world is unique, but he very firmly states that is how everyone views images, whether photographer or gallery visitor. A trip to the Serengeti brought home that lesson. “There are two kidftiItkItkl kinds of trips I take, ones I take alone sometimes accompanied by other serious, professional photographers, and then there are the ones I take for enjoyment with my

wife. The trip the company o photographers anold,battere

an old, battere our vehicle jus like photograp but they see it raphers togeth scene, and the ent images.”

to the Serengeti put me in of three other professional s. W Weewere delighted when ed lion chose to find shade by .V st a few feet awayy. Viiewers, phers, all see the same thing, entlydiffer y. . Put five photogher all looking at the same y all come back with differ-

So, what’s next Michael and hi ly a month. T To o yo French lessons from a local ins really commun

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t? As this story went to press, is wife wer r-prepare, Pressman had taken

p ep e, every morning, one-on-one structorr..“Iwanttobeableto nicate when in Provence.”

Like many oth phers Pressma Antarctica, bu just getting the $30,000 to capt much like othe

her world-class photograan would love to journey to t allows, “It’s an arduous trip ere, and is it worth the nearly ture images that look so ers everyone’s seen?”

Pressman has also had his fill of sunrises and sunsets. “I can’t add anything else, and it bores me. I also have no interest in taking wide-angle shots of the Grand Canyon,” but adds he would like to finish exploring all the national parks in this country. “I’d also like to go to Greenland, Peru, Berlin. I’ve been to most cities of the world, but not Berlin.”

His appetite is never satiated, his work is never duplicated. He is still fascinated by every form of wildlife, of haunting landscapes, of fences, of two generations totally unrelated and yet placed side by side making one statement. He finds his stories in silent ice formations and watching a curious bear awash in solitary enjoyment leaning back at the bank of a river cooling himself in complete serenity.

Ask for Pressman’s personal Bucket List, and his answer is as simple as one of his single- image photographs. “I expect my bucket list will always be changing. I don’t know what I want to shoot. I just pick a place and open my eyes.”

The little boy from Brooklyn with the Brownie camera certainly tells a helluva story.

Pressman’s current work is on exhibit throughout October with a reception on October 8th from 3-5 PM at Temple Beth Shalom Rodfe Zeder, 55 E. Kings Highway on the outskirts of Chester. (860) 516-8920. www.michaelpressmanphotography.com

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What is Greg Drinking?

Cabernet Franc is, in many ways, the liquid equivalent of the 2004 Boston Red Sox. Gritty and scrappy, compared and competing with varietals that have more prestige and notoriety, yet never backing down. It thrives under duress and lives in the wine world as an underdog, a role it relishes. You can count on many things when you are opening a bottle of Cabernet Franc, but never count it out when you are exploring the shelves of your local package store. For October we explore a wine that fits the fall like a pumpkin spiced latte in the hand of a Uconn student walking from Mirror Lake to Arjona: 2021 Gaspard Cabernet Franc.

Before we delve deeper into this fall favorite, let me just acknowledge the divisive reference to the ‘Curse Breakers’ of 2004. I get it, Connecticut is a battleground state with deeply divided allegiances between the cities of New York and Boston. Growing up in Mystic, just a few estuaries from the Rhode Island border, the family sports focus was all things Boston (save the ill-fated Hartford Whalers, may Brass Bonanza forever live in our hearts). But regardless of how you feel about the comeback of the century in that ALCS, you have to admit that it was a baseball drama the likes of which we will probably never see again. If you were fortunate to have lived through the dramatic events of that fall, you most certainly have some stories about where you were and who you watched it with. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for hosting so many of those late night affairs.

Back to the Loire liquids we are discussing, you might remember that this column covered a Folle Blanche back in August. Well, this Cabernet Franc hails from the same neighborhood, a stretch of France that deserves another tribute to their tributaries! This is a wine that looks and smells as good as it tastes with raspberry and cherry notes that start in the bouquet and slide into the first sip. Herbaceous and honest, it will steal your heart like Dave Roberts stole second! This wine is a switch hitter, too, in that it can be served just as easily with a slight chill as at room temperature. A part of the Jenny and Francois Selections Group: the grapes are organic and handpicked/destemmed/sorted before being routinely puncheddown (crushed) into vats where only local and indigenous yeasts are awaiting. From there it is a month and a half

maceration (leaving the wine in contact with the skins) that ends in concrete vats. I am a champion for any wine aged in concrete. One of the biggest selling points for this process is something called micro-oxygenation. Effectively, it is the middle gr ound between the porous and flavor changing process of using oak and the neutral option of stainless steel. The concrete allows the wine to breathe without interfering with the flavor.

I am a sucker for spice in general, and my red wine preferences are definitely a reflection of that. How vigorous are you when dealing with black or red pepper shakers? Are dark berry jams a mainstay in y our fridge? Have you found that red bell pepper hummus is frequently a guest in your picnic basket? Is ‘earthy’ an adjective that puts you at ease when you are stocking your cellar? If you are checking one or more of these boxes, make this Cabernet Franc from Gaspard your go-to glass this fall! It is as versatile of a vintage as one can acquire, pairing well with just about any grilled or roasted dish. Soup and stew season is well upon us by now, and a better companion to your crock pot creations is a fruitless search (pun intended). It is a medium-bodied beauty, and priced usually right around $20, so as far as the spectrum of wine goes, you are getting top tier vino for a fair price. The sustainability of the wine practice should put even the organic obsessed at ease.

I attained this particular wine at the Cove Ledge Beer, Wine, and Spirits shop on Water Street in Stonington Borough. As I have mentioned in an earlier piece, Annette (one of the owners) is a kindred spirit, with a shared pursuit of pouring only the best things into glasses. She is the lighthouse on the shore, guiding you away from your preconceived notions and out of your comfort zone to the promised land of exceptional beverages. Being aware of both Saltwater Farm and Kingdom of the Hawk vineyards (where I work) having sizable Cabernet Franc acerage, she suggested going across the Atlantic for an example of the origin of this grape, showcasing it at its very best in the land it originated in. This wine is everything that you could hope for, from a grape often known as a blending agent rather than a star on its own.

Cheers to Cabernet Franc, a treat that does the trick for fall and beyond!

Editorial and photo by Gregory Post

Ashley Ask Ask

Fall Fashion in Connecticut

By Ashley Alt

How to embrace New England’s classic style while making it your own, with personal stylist Marcia Crivorot

I

like to r einvent myself, stylistically speaking, e very y ear. In particular, every fall. After all, fall is the easiest transition season considering the all-too-pr actical outfit pairings like sweaters and jeans, blazers and jeans, and jackets over dresses.

Fall is even recognized as a “second New Year’s” to some, as it is a time for fresh starts and clean slates, making room for healthy habits we swear we will stick to. One of those healthy habits that seems to skip people’s minds as they’re making their resolutions is getting dressed. Obviously, we all get dressed, but what I’m talking about here is elevating your style for the sheer fact that it makes you feel wonderful. When done, correctly, that is.

I chatted with renowned personal stylist Marcia Crivorot, who serves clients in the Tri-state area and beyond, showing women of every age and nationality the intricate art of aligning your style with your lifestyle. Recognized for the sophistication, joy, and energy with which she brings out in people turning to her for fashion guidance, Crivorot provides her expert tips for looking and feeling our best this autumn season.

Here is our conversation.

Ashley: As a stylist, what is the most important thing for you when getting dressed?

Marcia: Being true to ourselves is a reflection of our personal style. We are constantly seeing newness everywhere—new trends, influencers with different outfits—every day. It can be overwhelming and distracting. Stay true to who you are.

A: What are the style roadblocks you most commonly see clients running into?

M: I would say body changes that all of us have experienced many times in our lives. It happened with most of my clients during the pandemic; not only did most of us gain some weight but we changed the way we got dressed for a long time. I hear a lot of clients saying "I lost my style.”They are looking to feel confident again through getting dressed.

A: What are some ways we can elevate our style this season?

M: I would say a good leather belt can elevate a basic outfit. It also creates a silhouette that is current, allowing your look to feel new even when you’re wearing clothes that you have had for a long time.

A: What are your recommendations as far as "dressing for your lifestyle?"

M: My advice is this: When you buy any item, think about different ways of wearing it and how you could wear it on different occasions. For a stay-at-home-mom for example, the same pair of jeans that she wears on a playdate can work for a date night with her partner—all she needs to do is change her top and accessories. Just be sure the jeans fit you well now.

For a business person going to the office, having a versatile blazer or jacket that can be worn over a shirt, or even with jeans and boots on the weekends is key. If you are an entrepreneur spending your days working mostly from home or from a cafe, wear your jeans, a sweater and the same jacket with boots to meet a client, or that same outfit with sneakers for a family brunch on Saturday. My point is, you don't need a lot of clothes—you just need to have items that you love and serve your life now.

A: Is there a style hack or secret you swear by when it comes to looking and feeling your best?

M: Knowing the best colors for your complexion helps a lot, since color is the element that has the most impact on what you wear. That said, you don't need to wear only colors that are in your palette, and you can always add depth and warmth with colors by experimenting with accessories and makeup.

A: Any brands or local stores that you would recommend to shop at currently?

M: It really depends on your style and budget. We have many local stores in the Tri-state area where you can find different brands that department stores don't have, such as Lolla in White Plains and Crestwood, Beginnings in Scarsdale, and all of the boutiques at Pur chase St. in Rye.

I personally love a secondhand shop, and have found gems for clients and myself at The RealReal, some of them still with tags. For those that are going back to the office and need a new suit that can be worn as separates, I suggest checking Argent—they have a store in NYC.

Marcia can be found at marciacrivorot.com, and on Instagram @marciacrivorot.style.

If you would like to keep with Ashley, you can follow her on the gram @ashleyalt_ and @valtbrand and sign up for her newsletter, Take A Sip, which takes a deep dive into the worlds of mental health and wellness: ashleyalt@substack.com.

Rosemary Cotnoir, Estuary(detail)

ROBERT ZOTT

LAUREATE OF THE CEMETERIES

Profile by Laurencia Ciprus /

Photographs Courtesy of Robert Zott

“Gaunt Writer Cutting Cocaine "— Hope Cemetery, Worcester MA 12-30-21

Singer-songwriter Sarah Dunn sums up the adventure in her single "Ghost of You" on her soon-to-be-released CD.

"I'm looking for a picture by Robert Zott Showing me the gravestone of what's all my fault I'm walking through, the cold, the ghost of you..."

I also took a walk with Zott a few calendar flips back to experience his lens at work. Ever since, we kept on moving. How did I go from someone who cheated death, cemeteries, and cracks in the sidewalk to signing up for this epic Joseph Campbell odyssey, chasing the holy grails of gravestones?

Pure irony. Zott and I connected to talk tombstones inside the deep end of the Covid pandemic. It was the time when death was the punctuation of every sentence. Spitting into the wind to talk cemeteries with the brilliant stranger who arrays impeccable shots of gravestones with a bone-dry wry wit? This was just daft enough to make perfect sense...I had to spit. Over coffee and social distance in the ghost town of a Barnes and Noble, Robert Zott proffered a copy of The Tombstone Photographs. Its compact, stark brilliance from cover to cover cut through the dystopian brain fog of the time. Zott later quipped, "We had to maintain a 6' distance back then. Six feet was already established in the cemetery neighborhoods – only vertically." Lightbulb. This is art at its finest, with a story to tell. How to grasp the soul of its equally fine madness? Let the games begin.

"Ink "-- Lake View Cemetery, Ithaca NY 09-18-23

Straggler - “Rock N Roller" — Various Locations 06-16-23

"Goldsmith Smith, Whiting White "-- Lake View Cemetery, Ithaca NY 09-18-23

--

Zott explains the genesis of his genre, beginning in 1995 with the first piece, "The Death of Color. "It was a one-off project. I wanted to make a visual statement describing my color blindness. I borrowed a 35mm camera with zero idea of what to do with it. There were two main dials on the camera. I set one, then slowly clicked through each interval with the second dial, shooting tombstones bearing single last names, also common English words. This unwittingly became the first of The Tombstone Photographs to evolve over the next twenty-five years." Zott tracked down each of these stones– scattered across multiple local cemeteries, all within a five-mile radius of home. White, Green, Gray, Gold, Brown and Black. "Thirty-six shots of each stone – both the sloppiest negatives and some of the best images I've ever created."

Each image was shot in grayscale – conveying the nuances of each value and a glimpse behind the artist's colorblind lens. The gallery view takes you there. He intentionally curated the images in a grid pattern to echo the geometry of a cemetery. The series of impeccable silver gelatin prints landed

"The Death of Color" — This was the first tombstone piece created in 1995. I don't put dates on the others since many took years to create and they're all from a single body of work.

The Fudge Stone -- "NO FUDGING ALLOWED! This is an example of a great tombstone that I cannot use. Hidden below the surname are the genealogical details for six people, obscured by dirt and lichen. I've lived by the rule of no other details except the surname for nearly 30 years and had to painfully pass it by. FUDGE!"

First Appearance in The New York Times

On April 23, 1995, "The Death of Color" -- the first tombstone piece -appeared in a review of The Connecticut Art Annual at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, juried by Eugenie Tsai. There were 74 artists in the show.

in a museum show, and The New York Times took notice – as did the patrons who clamored for more of this visual wordplay. The series of experiments evolved into a book that was finally published in 2020. Each chapter heading in this first volume is a mile marker in a developing creative process: Orientation, Properties of Light, and Black Comedies & Cautionary Tales. This represents years of treks to countless cemeteries around the country – literally taking names.

Each road trip adds to a staggering database of names to pull from. As he trained his eye to spot the most unlikely, words in each successive work drop jaws: Cocaine. Askew + Tipping. Burger, Fries + Soda. The wry, Good + Studint. Let's address the ghost in the room that always whisks through at Robert Zott's exhibitions: none of these images were manipulated, Photoshopped, or messed with. Simply, an artist's lens takes it all in and tells a story.

The best example of Zott's thought process is illustrated in the book The Tombstone Photographs with his piece, There Goes the Neighborhood. "A tombstone bears the single last name BAKER. It provides no given names, no dates of birth and death, no epitaphs." The moment this name – borrowed for a lifetime – now stands

"Bon Voyage!" This was my first sentence based on the Sally, Dick and Jane readers.

Straggler “Church Bell, Street Horn" — Various Locations 02/22/22

Boring - Druid Ridge Cemetery, Pikesville MD

alone, it returns to the lexicon. The baker in the town and his wife – Joe Baker, Mary Baker – once they are dead, so is the reference to the individual. Only the occupation remains. It returns to a neutral meaning.

Over the next twenty-five years, Zott created the beginnings of a new visual and syntactical language – looking at surnames as words separate from the soul resting beneath the tombstone. His process of shifting them into statements visually separates the name from the human who had borrowed it for their lifetime. This is a new conversation.

But is there a dark side to this passion? Some say early childhood exposure to standout experiences with funerals or graveyards at any point in one's life are possible reasons why someone may find themselves becoming a taphophile – one studying cemeteries and tombstones. The artist muses, "My father's death when I was seven was my first time in a graveyard. Since then, I find these places comforting and not macabre at all."

His sense of calm became clear with our road trip to Worcester, MA. Zott had moved past photographic experimentation into poetics with his development. Stone Poems shifted wordplay into lyricism, and the artist was now thinking and working in color. With coffee, snacks, and windshield wipers keeping time, he laid down hard and fast rules for this flavor of vision quest. "1) Poems will be compiled from the findings in one single cemetery. 2) The stone cannot bear any additional information other than the last name 3) There needs to be a word – or set of words – to create an ignition point. There is no poem when there isn't any arc."

We drove through the vastness of Hope Cemetery in Worcester, MA, in 2021. This is one of the largest cemeteries in the New England Region. After leaning into the process of searching for several hours, patterns emerged. There were actual neighborhoods. Tombstones reflecting clusters of Greek, Armenian, English, Jewish, German, Muslim, and Italian communities became evident. Walking slowly through the manicured grass and soaring trees, language telegraphed off of the chiseled words. I experienced the COCAINE tombstone with my own eyes. Zott does not make this stuff up. This tombstone eventually morphed into the Stone Poem, Gaunt Writer, Cutting Cocaine. After lunch at a local greasy spoon, we found KLUNK and YATTER to add to the database. What was a mystery at that meeting was now crystal clear. I was an official acolyte.

Stone Poem - “Eager Tongue, Lick Loveless" - In Memoriam Cemetery, Wallingford CT 11-18-2020

Stone Poem - “Sparks Strike Glass Hull" — Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford CT 11-27-21

Looking back at the earlier works, Zott calls them 'stragglers' – the results pieced together from various cemeteries. Now, meter, cadence, and rhyme are in this next generation of the work. Punctuation is implied. Think of the visual syntax of poet e e cummings. Zott is an equally evolving singular voice. The late Vivian Raynor of the New York Times summed it up beautifully. "Robert Zott is an 18th–century polymath."

The quest continues. 2023. Zott checks in from a fleabag motel with spotty cell service. Hurricane Lee screams past the East Coast of New England on an unpredictable course. He's heading to Lake View Cemetery in Ithaca, NY – the final resting place of the city's most famous scientist, Carl Sagan. After navigating eight hours through the deluge, Zott is waiting for first light and betting on a stiff wind to dry the tombstones. He gathers the names available in the cemetery, and two stones with the name Whiting and one bearing Fish suggest an emerging nautical theme. There is a thread. In the morning, the gamble pays off.

The installation shots were taken at my former studio Erector Square, New Haven. The shot of "Bon Voyage" was taken at my current studio at Artspace Hartford.

"Bon Voyage"at Artspace Studio Hartford.

Waiting for the Shadow to Move - View from the car as I waited for the shadow to move on the Boring tombstone. It took hours ...

The grass is extra green, the sun is glorious, and a new poem emerges.

"Robert Zott's surveying of graveyards to find tombstones with startlingly appropriate names on them is a fascinating and increasingly well-known obsession." the late William Zimmer, the New York Times. Since William Zimmer experienced Zott's work in the 1990s, the artist's syntax has expanded exponentially. He is now incorporating the use of abbreviations. His discovery of initials on the markers delineating individuals within family plots further broadens the lexicon. They reanimate in common abbreviations such as "B.S. and L.O.L". Additionally, he recently incorporated markers defining the perimeter of a plot with a single-lettered stone. One appears in the artist's new work, Rock N Roller.

Nearly thirty years ago, Robert Zott experimented with a single idea, a camera, and a last name on a stone. Infinite road trips later, it is an art form. His second volume, Stone Poems, is published this month and available through the artist's website. The artist invites the viewer to visit a cemetery to participate in this fascinating game of names.

Experience the work at www.robertzott.com and on Instagram @#robertzott.

Clockwise: Photographer Robert Zott , A Visit to West Cemetery, Manchester CT., The Tombstone Photographs Book Cover

THE SHARK

n old friend needed a hand on his charter boat in late July. Dave Hochman runs a world renown operation offering a wide variety of adventures including, spearfishing, rod and reel, offshore fishing, and surfing charters. First Mate duties aboard Spear It Charters are as exciting as they are grueling with the ever-watchful eye of Captain Dave demanding perfection as the sea protests that goal. Safety of the customers is always paramount and filling the cooler with fish is second. Both would be proven difficult as sharks amassed off the southern New England shores like never before.

For generations local fisherman have tangled with sharks biting their catches in half before pulling the fish over the side. They were a fairly rare occurrence for Connecticut Coastal waters. However, over the past few years there has been a logarithmic uptick in shark encounters culminating in the mass sightings in 2023. Thankfully, shark sightings are still rare along Connecticut beaches. Only three reported shark attacks have occurred in Connecticut, none being fatal, with 1960 being the last recorded attack within state borders. However, just around the corner at Moonstone Beach in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, a surfer was reportedly bitten on the foot in 2019. As a whole, New England has only had two fatalities since 1936; one in Massachusetts in 2018 and one in Maine in 2020, both being attributed to great white sharks. If Connecticut beach goers or shore anglers have a shark encounter it is likely a smooth dogfish. These are in the shark family but have no sizable teeth and pose no harm to humans. Sharks tend to keep to deeper waters where prey is plentiful. This is where anglers and divers meet face to snout with the toothed predators. This would be

the situation facing the customers and crew of Spear It Charters in late July of 2023.

It was 3 am and the marine forecast looked doable for a day of spearfishing off the coast. A chuff broke free as hot coffee poured into the tumbler. “Doable doesn’t mean easy”, I said to the empty kitchen. It was going to be a rough day on the water. The headlights cut through the dark morning rain as I drove to the dock where a refitted lobster boat would be called home for the next fifteen days. Captain Dave was already aboard tuning the massive inboard diesel engine. Warm greetings quickly faded as orders came and diving gear was loaded, and coolers packed with ice. The customers arrived as the lid was closed on the giant cooler. We were ready for a gregarious six pack of college buddies on a long-awaited reunion. The lines were cast as Spear It headed south. The mid summer swells were full on and forecasted weather would add to the concerns of “fishability” below the waves. But they were a crew of hardy lads and seem to be contented to free dive the foul conditions. However, it would be the sharks that would make the day a little more interesting.

The first spot was on the northeast side of an island. Striped bass and bluefish were marked on the finder. A hatch was opened, and a substantial anchor and a few hundred feet of line appeared. With the drift set, the anchor was tossed ahead of the mark. The line sprung taught as the vessel hovered directly over the bass and blues. The divers quickly donned their wetsuits as yours truly loaded their spearguns. After sliding overboard. Spreading out is imperative for safety especially in the low visibility waters. The six divers swim away from the boat with their long freedive fins, each moving in a different direction. From above the scene looks like a watery firework

Mako Shark Photo Lukas Walter

with each diver finning a wake away from the white boat bobbing at the center. Then each diver takes a deep breath before disappearing one by one beneath the surface where they will hunt.

Usually, divers will string the fish to their belts in order to prevent having to swim back to the boat to drop them off. However, on this day belt-stringers would soon be realized as an ill-advised practice. After the first few dives, one of the customers swims rapidly back to the boat and simultaneously pulls himself over the side while handing me his speargun yelling, “a shark got my bass!” The customers speargun is in my hand and the line with the spear on the other end starts to pull violently. It was like attempting to haul in a bus. The spearfisherman continues to hoot. “It just came out of nowhere and swallowed that bass!” While he recounts the dive, an attempt is made to bring in the line with a reported dusky shark clamped down on the fish and spring steel spear. Thinking the speargun may pull out of my hand as the line nearly spools completely from the reel, the line will need to be cut free before losing a customer’s expensive speargun. The knife flicks open to sever the line, but the line slacks and the knife folds disappearing back into its pocket. The greedy shark pulled the fish free and made off with an early lunch, courtesy of the diver. The other freedivers had noticed the fray and climbed into the boat. The crew, captain and mate look at one another with mouths agape. Someone barks a hearty expletive,

and the back deck erupts in anxious laughter. “He didn’t get all of that fish!” One of the divers’ points to the water on the port side. “At least he left you the head.” Another round of hardy laughter explodes as the crew take a gander over the port side and witness the front half of a striped bass bobbing in the waves. The remaining third of the striper was scooped up with a net. On the fillet table, what little meat remained was salvaged. The collars, cheeks and some of the shoulder meat went into a bag and in the cooler, so it wasn’t a total loss.

We pulled anchor and decided to try our luck at another spot away from the sharks. However, another larger shark had taken up residence at the second spot. The diver who reported the shark said, “I could have fit in its mouth! Its head was this wide!” For emphasis, he made a gesture with his hands splayed side to side and wider than his shoulders. We guessed it to be a tiger or bull shark from the description of the broad sided snout. Along with the great white shark, bull sharks and tiger sharks are included in the “most likely to attack a human” category. Needless to say, we pulled anchor again and decided to drift-dive rather than throw the hook again. Drift-diving using a speargun is where a freediver takes a single deep breath and swims to the bottom while the boat drifts overhead. Once a fish is speared on the bottom, the diver swims to the surface and signals to the lookout on the boat. The boat then motors to the diver where the fish and diver both exit the water. Usually only two divers are allowed in the water on a single drift for safety

reasons. Fortunately, the top predators during most of the drift-diving were the spears. Each diver took their turn at diving into a school of striped bass and blues and were able to fill the cooler with fresh fillets. However, all good dives must come to an end as another and final toothed tax-man buzzed in to end the day.

The next day we had a full crew again on Spear It. However, only two of the customers would be diving as it was a hybrid trip with diving and top water rod and reel fishing. The morning was spent in the rain with a family of six, rod and reel fishing for giant striped bass. Captain Dave seldom breaks a promise as beautiful healthy fish were caught and released. Apparently, the sharks didn’t like the rain and gave the family aboard a break for the time being. Once the clouds dispersed a smidge and the rain let up, it was time to get into the water as two of the customers, a brother and sister, were itching to land a fish underwater. The sister slung her steel and started landing triggerfish and black seabass. The brother followed suit as the jovial sibling rivalry increased with every dive. After a hearty set of bottom time, both join their younger sister, father, and uncle on the back deck. The brother asks his big sis, “You see that shark?” She shrugs, smiles, and says,

“No bro, I saw three sharks.” Her description was of a brown or dusky pair of sharks and a possible baby white or large mako shark.

All in all, there were eleven shark encounters over a two day period just seven miles from the mainland. It was unheard of in the diving community. However, news travels fast. Diving charters out of Long Island have ceased for the latter part of the season due to the huge increase in shark population and diversity now inhabiting Long Island Sound. After the double trouble in two days diving, photos and warnings were posted to social media to alert divers that an anomaly in the form of sharks was of great concern.

Shark Photo by OhCaN

The offshore situation isn’t much better when it comes to sharks eating an anglers catch. It is not commonplace, but more frequent than inshore fishing. After the diving charters, Captain Dave had booked three days of offshore tuna fishing. Many boats run to the “Canyons” which are deep rift valleys in the ocean floor over one hundred miles from shore where the yellowfin, dogtooth and bigeye tuna amass to feed in the crystal blue water. However, an offshore trip is usually an overnight affair, and most customers can’t afford the time or the gas it takes for an offshore trip. This is why Captain Dave is sought out. He has a keen sense of where and when tuna can be found less then half the distance to the Canyons. He finds areas through a vast channel peers, offshore reports, weather information and water temperatures. The first three trips were almost easy as we landed a tuna for every customer aboard. Even the “man in the grey suit” stayed at bay. However, on the third day, the fishing was hard. Schools of porpoise and whales dominated the surface throughout the day. We used every trick we knew and made some up to try and lure the tuna to the surface as we trolled for hours. At days end we finally landed two tunas. A seventy-pound big eye and a sixty five pound yellow fin. We needed one more fish to make the trip a success. Time and gas were running out as we would have to turn around soon. Then a rod screamed to life and a third fish swallowed a bright lure. The fish fought hard, but the threehundred-pound monofilament was reeled in inch by inch. After all the hard work of the customers and crew, we watched as the water bubbled red just a few yards behind the boat. Captain Dave barks something colorful ending in shark. What was left of a massive yellow fin was pulled over the side. The fin of a mako

shark could be seen waving back and forth as it consumed sixty pounds of fresh yellowfin sushi. The aftermath made for the coolest yet horrifying photo of the year as the customer posed with half his fish. Surprisingly, there was over twenty pounds of fresh tuna to be filleted.

The Connecticut summer of 2023 may have brought record breaking heat and biblical rains, but for this Crusty Old Diver, it will be remembered as the Summer of the Shark.

Photo by Ramon Carretero

The Cheesemonger

The Cheese Shop of Centerbrook

The Red, White & Blues of Finding the Perfect Pairing.

by Deana Simmons, The Cheese Shop of Centerbrook

Have you ever walked the isles of your local wine store with that extra aged cheddar you just bought and wondered “hmm, what kind of wine would go well with this cheese”?

You’re not alone, we are asked this question a lot.

Most of us are a bit intimidated by the dos and don’ts of cheese & wine pairings. Or maybe we’re just a bit terrified we’ll choose the wrong wine to go with our favorite cheese. And although we believe you should drink the wine you like with the cheese you like; the truth is it’s not as scary as it looks and with these helpful hints, you’ll be on your way to pairing all your favorite cheese with your favorite wine in no time.

Soft Ripening Cheeses - Soft ripening cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, and goat cheeses look for wines with higher acidity to balance their rich, creamy, tart flavors. While white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Rieslings tend to have more acidity than reds, a Pinot Noir or Gamay would also pair well here too.

Aged Cheeses - Aged cheeses like Cheddar or Gouda are dry, salty, and meaty. Their full-bodied flavors need balancing, and a full-bodied wine is the way to go so they don’t cancel each other out. Think Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, or Carménère. If you prefer white wine, try a heavy oaked Chardonnay. For cheeses like Parmigiana Reggiano you may want to try a Sangiovese, or a Super Tuscan, and Grenache pairs well with Manchego.

Blue Cheese - The most common pairing you’ll see with blue cheese, (Stilton in particular) is Port. But there are other great wines that pair well with creamy, salty, sweet blues. Try Roquefort with Sherry or Sauternes, or a Gorgonzola with Prosecco. Chardonnay or Champagne goes well with Cambozola or how about a Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec, both can stand up to the bold flavors of any blue. Looking for something a little heavier, try the Blue D’Auvergne with a red Bordeaux.

Washed Rind Cheese - The earthy, sharp, tangy flavors of washed rind cheeses aren’t for the faint of heart… but OH, are they good. Cheeses like Èpoisse, Taleggio and Chaumes are best with fruiter wines, the sweetness clings to the cheese to create a balanced taste. Try it with Chenin Blanc, Sauternes or Lambrusco. Or how about trying it with a Cab Franc, Gamay or Nebbiolo. All are fruity enough to enhance the funk of washed rind cheeses.

Did you know?

Sparkling wines are full of bubbly, acidic, palate cleansers. They literally clear the palate leaving it ready for the next bite of cheese. This makes them the perfect partner to a variety of different cheeses.

Now that you have the basics, the next time you’re strolling the isles looking for the perfect wine to pair with that cheddar, or perhaps you’re looking to elevate your next dinner or holiday party, use these tips to make your cheese and wine pairings that much easier. And don’t forget to put our invitation in mail.

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