Headline: Russian lawmaker suggests reclaiming Fort Ross as payback for US sanctions
Sometimes you read something that causes facepalm, and you find yourself dropping your head and into your hands. This headline... "Russian lawmaker suggests reclaiming Fort Ross on Sonoma Coast as payback for US sanctions..." is one of those times. [PHOTO Purchased:...
The Judgment of Paris reaffirmed, AGAIN, at Heritage Auctions in 2022
Wine auctions are alive and well; and, in many recent instances, they're exceeding expectations. A press release I received from Heritage Auctions hit really close to home, when I saw the Judgement of Paris, coming into the news again. The following information comes...
Daisy Damskey on “Davis Doesn’t Teach You About Water Buffalo in the Vineyards”
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH: Jose Diaz and I've been working with the Kerry Damskey family, of Terroirs, Inc. and Palmeri Wines, creating videos in order to succinctly tell up-to-date stories. The following is a perfect trifecta: Kerry Damskey is the winemaking and business...
Beginning at the Beguine of Herdade do Esporão – Part 2 Alentejo
The brand that I've been recently fortunate to discover is Herdade do Esporão. Drop your tongue behind your lower teeth, to pronounce Esporáo. There's a YouTube video is at the end of this story, on Portuguese vowel pronunciations, in case you enjoy new languages....
Herdade do Esporão, New Things to Know About Alentejo and its Wines ~ Part 1 Alentejo
This story is like a return visit to that old friend Portugal's Alentejo (ah-len-TAY-zhoo); the oos and aahs of it all! [PHOTO CREDIT for this story: Jo Diaz, all rights are reserved, unless otherwise noted] The Alentejo wine region was the very first viticultural...
Foppiano: Before, During, After, and Today ~ Mastering the World of Wine
She said, "If anyone can write about Foppiano Vineyards, Jo, you can." This was said to me by my friend Lorraine Raguseo, who's now part of their team through Quintessential Wines. And, she's right. At this point in time, besides the family, I believe she's right....
Domaine Bousquet, Discovering the Uco Valley and Standing on One’s Head
The origin of the Domaine Bousquet family travels back to the city of Carcassonne (karkasɔn), located in the southwest of France. With an elevation of 266–820 feet, roots of civilization run deeply here. With extensive remains of medieval fortifications, see the image...
CANNED WINES ~ Licence IV is So Much More and It’s Called Sustainability
So, this arrived... intriguingly delicious Licence IV. Their French wine products have entered my category of "The Future Is Now the Present." Besides being fun wines, it's one of greatest environmental reliefs for the planet, from the manufactured products to the...
New Voices are so Refreshing ~ Alex Cook, on Suisun Valley with Roger King
I'm seasoned in wine, if you don't know. I wear it as a badge of honor, to have come so far in the past 29 years. I've felt everyone of them. So, when I meet a starry-eyed person, right off the boat... Someone who looks around and says, "Dear Lord, don't ever let me...