The World of Wine ~ Romeo and Juliette, when you have an adventurous palate
SAMPLES: The following are two springtime-worthy wines, fresh from Famiglia Pasqua, and the vineyards of the Veneto region in northeast Italy. “Pasqua” coincidentally means “Easter” in Italian – a fittingly wine for this coming Easter Sunday, è giusto? The Romeo & Juliet Passione Sentimento Rosso 2016 and the Romeo & Juliet Passione Sentimento Bianco 2017 samples […]
How A Small Company Finds Intriguing and Unique In-Roads to Success
Anne Bousquet – Al Ameri, CEO, Partner THE STAGE IS SET: Meeting Anne Bousquet – Al Ameri, of Domaine Bousquet, Mendoza Argentina, at Barn Diva in Healdsburg, brought not only the distance of the two hemispheres closer together, but it also connected many more fascinating dots during the meeting, of how to succeed against all […]
LuxeSF has announced it’s Rising Wine Star Award recipients
LuxeSF, formerly the Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco, has announced its Rising Wine Stars Award recipients for 2019. The ceremony was held during their Seventh Annual Wineries Boot Camp, at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville. This was in the presence of over 300 wine industry marketing, sales and hospitality influentials, representing more than 100 […]
The Most Embarrassing Side of Wine Travel… Musings
This was the point where I should have taken a bow… Hindsight is always 20/20 vision, right? So, I’m a guest of Colonnara Viticultori in Cupramontana ~ In the Castelli di Jesi region of Le Marche. This day, we were having lunch at family Ristorante in a neighboring town. It was as authentic as it could possibly be. […]
When It’s Traditional and It’s in Tuscany ~ Day 2
I was the guest of Castello di Meleto in Gaiole ~ In the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany. Hosted by Antonia Caserta (sales manager), their winemaker Matteo Menicacci, and their agronomist Giovanni Maria Farina. Antonia translated, and I was also in the company of Michael Yurch (Bluest Sky Group) and Michael Apstein from Apstein On […]
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 […]
Sonoma County Innovators and Icons to Be Honored ~ 2019 Sonoma County Barrel Auction
Each year, Sonoma County has a Barrel Auction. This is your opportunity to own a truly one-of-a-kind wine. I’ll write about their weekend events. For now, I just want to highlight who is going to be honored: the Innovators and the Icons. PRESS RELEASE Cultivated in Sonoma County’s most acclaimed vineyards. Handcrafted by legendary winemakers. […]
Wines from the Italian Alps, what a rare region and delicious occurrence
When I was asked to taste PETER ZEMMER wines from the Italian Alps, as samples, “What a rare opportunity; wines from the Italian Alps are so unfamiliar for many. Mr. Zemmer’s terroir and wines are a real treat!” I thought. And, do you know what? We’re a curious lot, right? It’s rare enough, tasty enough, […]
Wine Novels ~ If you haven’t read any, what are you waiting for?
Wine novels have been coming my way. Dick Rosano – one of my wine writing friends – has been my point of reference for wine novels, since 2012. Most books I receive as sample reading are not really found in the fantasy department; they’re purposefully educational. What seems to be happening, from my observations for […]
If You Love Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District, This Event Has Your Name All Over It
An American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a designated, wine grape-growing region in the United States,and has been for the nearly 39 years. The Augusta AVA surrounds the area in and around the town of Augusta, Missouri, which was the first recognized AVA recognized in the US, gaining their status on June 20, 1980. Stags Leap’s […]
