This week the French Winophiles continues its virtual exploration of the Bordeaux Region with a visit to Saint-Émilion, which is located on the right bank of the Gironde estuary. Merlot is the dominant grape in this prominent wine region, which also a UNESCO World Heritage site. To truly understand wine, you must understand that ultimately,…
2014 Ironstone Vineyards Symphony Obsession #WBC16
Last weekend I attended the Annual Wine Bloggers Conference hosted by Lodi Wine. The conference was a great opportunity for learning, networking and fellowship with my fellow wine writers and bloggers. During the Friday Excursions Into Wine Country, I joined a small group that hosted by Ironstone Vineyards. We visited Teichart Ranch located in the Sloughhouse AVA. After…
Time To Get My Wine Bloggers Conference On! #WBC16
I’m pleased to report that I’ll be attending 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference (“WBC”) later this week! The WBC is being held August 11-14 in Lodi. It’s my first Wine Bloggers Conference! There will be a few hundred online, print, citizen and industry wine writers who will be will be immersed in educational wine seminars, networking, grower and…
#SundayFunday With Tormaresca Calafuria Rosé #ItalianFWT
Sometimes, your day doesn’t go as planned. And that can be a good thing. A very good thing. Last Sunday was a good example. My wife and I have been hiking on a weekly basis this summer at various nearby regional parks. I’d dressed for the hike and was downstairs grabbing a bit of…
2015 Kir-Yianni Akakies Rosé
Yiannis Boutaris founded Kir-Yianni in 1997 with the vision to create a super-premium Greek wine estate. After more than 30 years of owning a controlling stake and running the operations of Boutari —the leading Greek wine brand— Yiannis decided to spin-off two of the best vineyards belonging to the Group in order to create Kir-Yianni….
The Ultimate #SundaySupper Hamburger and Hot Dogs Wine Pairing Guide
Some of my fondest memories in life come from a time when a hamburger or a hot dog (often both;-) was the quintessential summer eats for me! And whenever I reminisce about that time of my life, one of the first thoughts that comes to mind is the minutes before my favorite – a cheeseburger (with…
An Exploration of Sherry; In the Glass And At The Table #WinePW
This month’s Wine Pairing Weekend is about Sherry, one of the world’s most complex, labor intensive, yet misunderstood and under appreciated wines! I taste and pair the six types of sherry – five dry and a sweet “PX”! I have been a Sherry lover for many years. My appreciation of sherry was inspired by two books;…
No Reservations Wine Tasting: Broc Cellars
My wife and I do more than our fair share of wine tasting. We’ve hit all the major wine regions in California (and a few minor ones too;-), along with tasting in Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Spain and Champagne. From time to time we have a wine tasting experience that stands above the rest, and is…
Caspri Luna Blu and Grilled Moroccan Chicken #ItalianFWT
Our Italian Food Wine and Travel (#ItalianFWT) has explored each of Italy’s twenty regions. Now, we taking deeper dive into Italy. This month we explore Italian “orange” (skin-fermented white) wines. I’m pairing the super natural and edgy 2012 Caspri Luna Blu IGT orange wine with Grilled Moroccan Chicken! What is Orange Wine? Essentially, orange wines…
2015 Angels & Cowboys Rosé #WineStudio
2015 Angels & Cowboys Rosé The Angels & Cowboys Rosé is a blend of Grenache Rouge, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Grenache Blanc sourced from Carneros, Alexander Valley & Dry Creek Valley. The wine was crafted using the traditional Provençal method, including grapes bespoke for Rosé. To preserve nature’s generosity along with old-world tradition, the grapes were…