When you leave part of your heart in France ~ Château Sainte-Béatrice is partly responsible
What a charming little village Lorgues is, located in the Côtes de Provence region of France. This area bespoke France to me. It’s a region rich in viticultural history; and, is actually known to be the birth of Mediterranean wine grape growing. (From the Mediterranean Sea, the Romans entered France coming into this region.) Provence […]
Wine of the Week ~ Chianti 2018 DOCG Renzo Masi & C. Rufina, Italy
A piece of my heart was deliberately left in Chianti Country, during a visit to Tuscany, with the Bluest Sky Import Group. A life-altering education, every time I’ve headed out to “be there,” smell the terroir, feel the earth, see the vines, taste the wines, and ask questions (even if some sound like I just […]
Who is that Global Winemaker Kerry Damskey? ~ Episode 1
Meeting Kerry Damskey, in this quick video series, begins the process of peeling away successful layers of what it takes to become an international, winemaking star, who’s successfully accomplished this particular pursuit. It is a calling, and it’s quite unique, with the people involved being very much adaptable. While using both sides of their brains […]
Touring a Chateau, Don’tcha Know, Inside and Out ~ Château des Capitans Juliénas of Beaujolais
In an effort to pay homage to all of the wineries and vineyards visited last July in France, I continue with my experiences, as a guest of both Les Vins Georges Duboeuf and Château Roubine. This story started in Northern Beaujolais, scheduled by Georges Duboeuf. The black and mustard-yellow, decorative roof (in this photo) is […]
What I learned about Santa Barbara County, is what I learned from Sideways. Now it’s from Lucas & Lewellen
Today, I have the pleasure of exploring one of their wineries, which also has vineyards: Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards. I received a great sampling of their wines; and, through these flavors, I can now begin to understand Santa Barbara’s American Viticultural Area (AVA) a bit more. Remember Sideways? Quoting wine writer Allison Levine of Please […]
In the Days of Wine Social Responsibility ~ Do You Need Travel Insurance, Especially for Abroad?
When I read an email to me, I had to stop and take a serious pause. Shannon O’Keefe with Consumers Advocate — we do our best to take complicated subjects and make them understandable. I just found [one of] your [wine] article[s] while dreaming of far, distant, and magical wine flights for my wife and […]
The Oregon Wine Trail to Host Spring Events in San Francisco and Seattle
[PHOTOS: Jo Diaz copyright, all rights reserved] I love Oregon. Being from Maine, I’m partial for the decision of the ring toss. There are certain precepts we Mainahs adhere to… “Earth first, people and pets next. And, taking care of everyone, always.” From Portland Neighborhoods Guide: Portland was almost “Boston, Oregon!” Portland was named by […]
Winter Wonderland Whites: Think Wine, Regionality, Food, and Umani Ronchi Vellodoro Pecorino
This intro is for five wines tasted in a series. If you want to just skip to the wine, scroll down for ” Umani Ronchi Vellodoro Pecorino.” Winter white wines are so scrumptious, with not only dense foods, but also with lighter foods. I don’t think of them so much as seasonal, anymore; i.e., “I […]
Winter Wonderland Whites: Think Wine, Regionality, Food, and Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Blanc
This intro is for five wines tasted in a series. If you want to just skip to the wine, scroll down for “Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Blanc.” Winter white wines are so scrumptious, with not only dense foods, but also with lighter foods. I don’t think of them so much as seasonal, anymore; i.e., […]
Morgon Domaine Jean Ernest Descombes ~ A Beaujolais with Vitality
Off to the Morgon region of Beaujolais, France we go… Morgon Wines: Think in adjective sizes, for a moment: delicate, moderate, and robust. Beaujolais wines, coming from specific regions, are classified in this way, due to their terroir influences. It helps to know this, if you’re wanting to purchase a Beaujolais, for a food and […]
