Beautiful places I’ve been and photographed: Provence, France with Château Roubine Cru Classé
My theme is TERROIR; capturing the heart, soul, and essence of it. And, yes, there was most certainly wine education involved. Beautiful places I’ve been and photographed: Provence, France. [PHOTOS: Jo Diaz, all rights reserved.] You say Provence and I say “lavender” (maybe I’ll even say Rosé). It was just a perfect day under Provence […]
Beaujolais 101 ~ Your Primer Through the Lens of Les Vins Georges Duboeuf
PHOTO: Taken in the Beaujolais region of France, at the Georges Duboeuf’s Chateau, in Romaneche-Thorins, France. Georges Duboeuf is the highly regarded founder of Les Vins Georges Duboeuf. These are all of my own images from my trip to Beaujolais, with the exception of Wine Folly’s map. Beaujolais 101 ~ A TOP TEN Primer Pronounced: […]
Italian Passeggiata ~ Still a Cultural Phenomenon and it Includes Foods and Wines
Honestly, our American culture, in this May of 2019, has so drastically changed from when I was, say, 5-years old, in Maine. This seems unreal to me, now, but I do remember the first TV that came into my home. My dad was an early adopter of electronic gadgets. We had the first TV in […]
Pairing Tuscan Wines with Tuscan Cuisine ~ Day 1
GUEST: I was a guest at Castello di Meleto, in Gaiole (the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany), as orchestrated by Michael Yurch, of The Bluest Sky Group. When we, as Americans, think of Italian cuisine, pasta immediately comes to mind, right? In a word association game, I say Italian food, and most people respond with […]
The Benedictine Monks Are Smiling ~ Their Abby is Now Chianti’s Castello di Meleto… a Wine Company
Wine Philology: Wine History I was the guest of Castello di Meleto in Gaiole ~ In the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany. Hosted by Antonia Caserta (sales manager) [PHOTO: Historical image from the Castello di Meleto website] Forget your daddy’s straw basket candle holder, dripping with memories. Castello di Meleto in the Chianti region of Tuscany has gone way upscale sophisticated and […]
2018 September’s Winesong Weekend is coming in Mendocino County
[All images are from Winesong.] In its Thirty-Fourth year, Winesong Weekend, Mendocino County’s premier food and wine experience, will take place on Friday, September 7, and Saturday, September 8. The folks are Winesogn Weekend want you to know the details around this year’s event. They’re going to also have a live auction with “Hot Lots.” Some […]
Stags Leap District ‘Vineyard to Vintner’ Annual Event Wrap-Up
For the past few years, I’ve really looked forward to attending the Stags Leap District ‘Vineyard to Vintner’ annual event . It’s really well planned, executed, and always rewarding for everyone in the process… a day really well spent in Napa Valley. This year of 2018 was no exception. BACKGROUND PRESS RELEASE: Each year, member […]
A RARE Opportunity to Taste Artisan Napa Valley Cabs on February 24
[Photo from winery sites. First photo: Herb Lamb Vineyards] Over the years, as I look back, I’ve come to realize that my calling has always been to champion the underdogs. And I write “underdogs” with the utmost respect. I see talent and I know potential. I came to first realize my gift when I couldn’t […]
21st Annual Sonoma International Film Festival ~ Devour! Sonoma Chefs & Shorts Gala Dinner
Devour! Sonoma Chefs & Shorts Gala Dinner AT THE 21st ANNUAL SONOMA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL March 21 through March 25, 2017 This is a film lovers’ paradise. Add food and wine, and the Gala sounds like an Epicurean/wine lovers’ blast! I haven’t made my way down valley to attend any of the events surrounding […]
Worldly Wines of the Week ~ FERRATON Père & Fils
FRANCE ~ FERRATON Père & Fils FERRATON Père & Fils: In 1946, winemaker Jean Orëns Ferraton, also the son of a winemaker, began his vineyard in the Rhône Valley of France. Jean’s son Michel became the next generation rooted in the same passion. Over time, Michel has used new vineyard innovations, to bring their growing […]
