Category: wine education
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To Oak or Not to Oak; Exploring the Wonders of Chablis
I have a confession to make. I am not a huge fan of Chardonnay. That is not to say I don’t like it. I am just incredibly finicky about how I like it. I drink it and enjoy different expressions of it with different foods; however, rarely will I pour myself a glass to simply…
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Two Gorgeous Chilean Cabs You Must Drink
Chile is among the new world’s preeminent wine regions. Many wine consumers recognize Chile as a great source of value with wines in the $10-29 range tasting way above their price point. Furthermore, Wines of Chile has marketed Carmenere successfully to the point it is now not only a well-recognized grape but also associated with…
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Revealing Roussillon’s Sweeter Side
How often do you enjoy dessert wine? I hope you said frequently. If not, the holidays are the perfect time to welcome this habit into your life. A prominent wine and food pairing rule of thumb is a wine should always be sweeter than the food pairing. When this rule is not followed both the…
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Welcoming Hanukkah with Traditional Food and Kosher Wine Pairings
Hanukkah began yesterday. The eight-day Jewish festival of lights is celebrated nightly with the lighting of the Menorah and prayers. Hanukkah also includes special foods specifically chosen as part of the celebration. Let’s take this year’s Hanukkah one step further and pair some high quality kosher wines with the foods of Hanukkah.
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In Defense of Winter Whites
There is an old adage that says you cannot wear white after Labor Day. When, where, and how this was decided is a mystery to me. I live in North Texas. You will see people, myself included, wearing white year round. In fact, if there was ever a color of winter shouldn’t it be white?…
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Experiencing Pinot Noir through Scheid Family Vineyards
Some would say Pinot Noir is the most noble of all vitis vinifera. Wine writers wax poetically about its virtues in red Burgundy. It is also a diva grape. It is fussy about where it grows, when it ripens, weather, rainfall, temperature, how many grapes are on its vine, the list goes on. If Pinot…
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The Daily Meal Article: Carmenère: A Look at Chile’s Signature Grape
As Thanksgiving fast approaches our focus is on preparation. Some are prepping the meal today to make tomorrow as stress free as possible. Others are prepping to be around challenging family members (you know we all have them). While we welcome Thanksgiving to count our blessings and give thanks for our lives, I want to…
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Exploring Cru Beaujolais with #Winophiles
November means Beaujolais. For many when hearing Beaujolais the mind immediately thinks Beaujolais Nouveau. Did you know there are actually three different styles of Beaujolias? Nouveau is released with much fanfare across the globe. It is a fun wine meant to be opened upon purchased and consumed. Beaujolais Villages are offer slightly more depth and…
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An Exercise in Terroir with Lodi Native Zinfandel
A few months back I was contacted by Randy Caparoso of the Lodi Wine Commission and asked to share my Lodi Wine “ah-ha” moment. That moment began in July 2015, when I was sent my first samples of Lodi wines. The wines I received was the second vintage of the Lodi Native project. At that…
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Every Wine Lover Should Drink Syrah
Syrah is a versatile grape that is grown in every major wine region in the world. Depending on the climate and winemaking techniques, Syrah offers a range of expressions, appealing to a wide variety of palates. If you like Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir, Syrah is a wine for you. It is also the sole…
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