A couple of years ago, during a lunch at the UC Davis Influencer Wine Bootcamp, I had the pleasure of meeting Rebekah Wineburg, a distinguished alumna of UC Davis’s Viticulture and Enology program. Our paths first crossed at Steve Matthiasson’s home ranch, where she shared her passion for winemaking. When I casually mentioned that I…
Author: Martin D. Redmond
Savoring the Legacy: Exploring the Best of Flora Springs’ Flagship Wines
In 2020, Flora Springs, a beloved Napa Valley institution with deep roots in the region, began a new chapter in its rich history. The Komes family, who had owned the property since Jerry and Flora purchased it in 1977, announced the sale of the winery estate to Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a distinguished name from…
Sustainability Meets Excellence: Inside the Legacy of Domaine Bousquet Wines
Domaine Bousquet (pronounced Boo-skay), nestled in the high-altitude region of Tupungato in Argentina’s Uco Valley, is a family-owned winery that blends rich tradition with a forward-looking approach to winemaking. Established in 1997 by Jean Bousquet, a fourth-generation winemaker from France’s Languedoc region, the winery was born from Jean’s vision of combining Old World craftsmanship with…
Food Pairing Lab; Pairing Paella Negra with Spanish Wines from Four Regions
Recently, I received four media sample wines from Spain, each hailing from a distinct and renowned region: Rueda, Rías Baixas, Rioja, and Sherry. Inspired by this diverse selection, I decided to prepare one of my favorite classic Spanish dishes, Paella Negra, to explore how well it would pair with each of these exciting wines.. In…
Uncorking a Thrilling Mystery: Book Review of Steven Laine’s “Jupiter’s Blood”
As a wine enthusiast and avid reader, I’m always on the lookout for novels that combine my passions. Steven Laine’s Jupiter’s Blood does just that, offering a gripping mystery intertwined with contemporary issues that kept me hooked from start to finish. Synopsis In Jupiter’s Blood, readers are introduced to Dante Lombardi, a distinguished Master Sommelier…
Clear or Cloudy: Delving into Sui Lieviti Prosecco and the 2020 Bianca Vigna Brut Nature
During my visit to Italy for the 2022 Wine Media Conference in Lake Garda, we embarked on a pre-conference trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene (“C-V”) in northeastern Italy, the heart of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG denomination. This magical and unforgettable experience was filled with highlights, including visits to several fabulous Prosecco…
Discover Abruzzo: Five Masciarelli Wines and Smoked Wild Boar Pairings #ItalianFWT
Welcome to this month’s gathering of the Italian Food, Wine & Travel (#ItalianFWT) group host by Jennifer Gentile Martin of Vino Travels – An Italian Wine Blog. This month, we’re delving into the delightful pairing of Italian wines with barbecue and grilled dishes. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or just love a good backyard…
Celebrate Prosecco Week with the Elegant 2021 Fiol Prosecco Rosé
Prosecco Week (June 24-30) is a vibrant celebration dedicated to the world’s most popular sparkling wine by sales volume. Originating in the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia-Giulia region in northeastern Italy, Prosecco is made primarily from the Glera grape, which is know for its light, fruit and floral characteristics. The production process involves the Charmat (a.k.a Martinotti)…
Exploring the Artistry of Potter’s Vineyard/Vino Vasai
Last year, I had the pleasure of sampling a selection of wines from Potter’s Vineyard/Vino Vasai, a boutique winery known for its artisanal approach to winemaking. You can read about my initial impressions and the delightful array of wines I tasted here. This year, I’m thrilled to receive another set of samples from this esteemed…
The Irresistible Delights of a PX Adult Float #WinePW
The theme for this month’s Wine Pairing Weekend (#WinePW) is pairing with with “junk” food. Our host this month is Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm. In her invitation for the event she stated “Junk food, like wine, is personal” and that we could “write about one of your guilty pleasures“….