Cucina Tipica by Andrew Cotto ~ When you’ve been in Italy, books help the cultural return
BOOK REVIEW: How Andrew Cotto unravels his Cucina Tipica novel is cleverly maneuvered. I just couldn’t put the book down for much else, until I got to “The End.” As I was about to finish his book, my heart was pounding and so wanting an ending I could live with. Cucina Tipica is story about […]
Antoine Laurain’s Vintage 1954… It Was An Intriguing Year
Antoine Laurain’s Vintage 1954 WINE-BLOG REVIEW: From the moment I touched the book, it was immediate love… The smell and feel of its pages… A tender, Parisienne SciFi, stepping back through a 1950’s portal… all because of a bottle of wine, the right circumstances, and four characters… Every detail of 50’s in this story, and […]
Le Sincette, Chiaretto DOC, Italy; Where Have you Been All of My Life?
UPDATE: Thanks to Jane Nichols, a reader of this blog, she sent an update to me, regarding La Sincette’s appellation: I was so interested in the wine you wrote about that I did a bit of research and happened to find out….the appellation of the wine is actually the Valtènesi DOC…which (amazingly/confusedly) has been discontinued […]
Tasting The Past, by Kevin Begos
TASTING THE PAST Admittedly, learning about wines outside of what’s on a retailer’s shelf or a restaurateur’s wine list is a bit limited. The flavors you might enjoy, but is the wine as memorable as being in that wine’s own region of terroir, and connecting more dots? From my own personal experiences, I have […]
Brut Force follows Corkscrew in Rollicking Hilarity, Outlandish Intrigue, and rooting for Felix Hart, Again
SAMPLE BOOK: When Peter Stafford-Bow sent an email to me about his newest novel Brut Force, I told him I was ready for a little Brut Force. Fortunately, I knew who I was talking to, so I wouldn’t be accused of sexual harassment. We both had a good laugh. Peter Stafford-Bow has outdone himself again, […]
AN EVENING WITH KEVIN ZRALY in San Francisco
If you know me, you know that I enjoy helping friends with their events, etc.. I got to circle back with Kevin Zraly this past fall, when we met again; this time at Castello di Meleto in Gaiole ~ In the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany. Kevin was touring, promoting his 30th Edition of Windows on the World, I was […]
Top Wine and Spirits Books of 2018 ~ Belonging in Any Great Wine (Book) Library
Each year I enjoy putting a list together of the best wine books I read through the year. This year is no exception, and these books are each fabulous. Here are my 2018 Wine and Spirits Books, in alphabetical order. Happy shopping for your wine lovers. Regardless of the level of knowledge and interest, if you […]
Romancing the Grape ~ Relationship Selling for Hospitality Professionals
SAMPLE COPY from Lynda R. Paulson ~ PHOTO: Jo Diaz Romancing the Grape ~ Relationship Selling for Hospitality Professionals by Lynda R. Paulson should be mandatory reading for all winery tasting room personnel. This is always how I sold wine, while working in a tasting room, because my studies and background are in PR. That said, […]
DRINK PINK: A Guide to the World’s Best Rosés ~ by Larry & Ann Walker
PHOTO: Pamela Klein of her new novel 17 Dresses, which is referenced below in my lead-in part of Larry and Ann Walker’s newly released book A Guide to the World’s Best Rosés. A Guide to the World’s Best Rosés ~ by Larry & Ann Walker is a Gap-filling Rosé book; it’s timely, comprehensive, and fun. I’m […]
Fetzer Vineyards Honored with “Changemaker” Distinction from B Lab for Increased Impact in Sustainability
After having just visited with Fetzer Vineyards, to celebrate their Fiftieth Anniversary, the press release below does not surprise me in the least. I’ll be writing in greater details about my visit and their programs, in the near future. I want to let the following information stand on its own merit, before I even begin […]
