3 Decades of Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon
My tasting notes from an amazing 30-year retrospective tasting of Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon, with Naoko and Maya Dalla Valle and winemaker Andy Erickson.
Entries by Andrea
Brooks Winery – Ageable Oregon
Oregon’s Brooks Winery produces structured, elegant and ageable Pinot Noirs and Rieslings. John and I were thrilled to get the chance to taste their 2002 Janus Pinot Noir (still a baby!), to add to our experience of having tasted some of their extraordinary older Rieslings. Meet Janie Brooks, the force behind these beautiful wines…
Wilson-Daniels 40th Anniversary
I have known Jack Daniels and his partner the late Win Wilson since my earliest days as a sommelier. It was my great honor to be the first recipient of the Wilson-Daniels Master Sommelier Scholarship when I was studying for that test, and to work on the sommelier team for the historic Domaine de la […]
Beaujolais and Burgers
You can have fun with Beaujolais Nouveau for sure, but the serious stuff – Beaujolais Cru- is seriously interesting wine worth exploring, pairing, and even cellaring.
Leflaive Burgundy with Halibut
If you have tuned in to our other shows you know that John is a great blind taster. Can he pick out the Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet versus the Macon-Verze? My money’s on him! Either way I’m a winner, because he’s demonstrating his absolutely perfect pan-seared halibut preparation to taste with the wines. If you have access to great Alaskan halibut, this is the way to cook it. Let us know what you think!
Remembering Koerner Rombauer
We mourn the passing on May 10, 2018 of Napa Valley wine icon Koerner Rombauer, founder of Rombauer Vineyards, and also celebrate a life steeped in family, philanthropy, mentoring others, and the joy of wine and food. My husband John and I first met Koerner while he was doing something he did a lot: raising money for worthy causes.
Happy Auction Napa Valley 2018!
It is a big week on my home turf, gearing up for Auction Napa Valley 2018. This community effort led by the Napa Valley Vintners raises money for local community health care and education–$180 million since the first auction in 1981! I am so proud to be part of a community that leverages our globally famous wines to take care of our own right here.
Tasting Domaine Leflaive Macon-Verze
I’m excited to attend this weekend’s celebration of the Wilson-Daniels 40th anniversary this Sunday, and I hope you’ll tune in both here and on Facebook: 6/3/18 – 4 pm PST – Live from Wilson-Daniels’ 40th Anniversary Tasting with Co-founder Jack Daniels Join us live to talk, taste and reminisce as we celebrate the 40th Anniversary […]
Perfect Wine and Food Pairing: Basil Pesto and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Hooray! Basil is in season and that makes summertime Napa Valley Cabernet season. You might think the warming temperatures make it Riesling and Rose season, and I can’t fault your logic or good taste. But, when a profusion of summertime basil hits your farmers market or supermarket, you need to revisit Nap Cab, because it […]
Truffle Toast: The Perfect Pairing for A Great Wine
Roasted garlic is an anchor for many a great wine-friendly dish. Truffles are even more so, at least in my book. So, putting them together, especially in this very simple preparation that we call truffle toast, naturally adds up to pairing Nirvana.
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