Riesling 101
First, ditch your snobbery about Riesling. A lot of people hear Riesling and they think “sweet” and “no thanks.” My theory is that as soon as people spot the traditional long, thin bottle, they have flashbacks to Liebfraumilch.
Happy Auction Napa Valley 2017!
It is a big week on my home turf, gearing up for Auction Napa Valley 2017. This community effort led by the Napa Valley Vintners raises money for local community health care and education–$170 million to date! I could not be prouder to be part of a home town that leverages our most famous and globally-coveted product–wine
Wine Tasting Tips for #DrinkWineDay 2017
Tasting wine like a pro with the 5 S’s of tasting isn’t just for the pros. YOU need to use this technique too.
Mother’s Day Taste Test: 4 Brioche-y Bubblies
I love the heady style of Champagne with its scents and flavors right out of a French patisserie. So how about a Mother’s Day taste-test of several such bottlings to explore the style in-depth. You in?
Top Ten Thanksgiving Wine Types–And Why They Pair So Well
The range of flavors on the Thanksgiving table is tailor-made for the core pairing principles of complement and contrast, so why not open several wines and put them to the test? Below are my best-bet wines, and what to look for when pairing them.
Spanish Rioja is One of the Best Wines in the Air–Here’s Why.
When I discovered in my work choosing wines for Delta Air Lines how incredibly well they show in-light, my respect for the region reached a whole new level (or, perhaps I should say altitude?). Here’s what makes drinking a Rioja flight when you are in-flight so fantastic.
Napa Harvest – Picking and Pressing Sauvignon Blanc (from our own vineyard!)
Napa Valley harvest: it’s not merely picking the grapes. In these videos you’ll see how, when and what’s next, all of which are crucial keys to quality.