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 […]
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 […]
Just Released Second Season of Wine Masters: ITALY
For anyone studying wine for any accreditation in the world of wine, this would be money well spent. I don’t represent this company, but I do appreciate what they’ve produced, so I’m sharing. If you can’t get to any these places, you’ll feel like you were there, learning first hand, from reliable sources. It’s now […]
Heartwarming Wines ~ I’m Going for The Reds ~ Part 2
I’ve written about winter white wines, in Winter Wonderland Whites: Think Wine, Regionality, Food, and Umani Ronchi Vellodoro Pecorino. I also want to pay homage to winter reds as Heartwarming Wines, because they just are. National Heart Month is February, as you probably remember. Focusing on reds now, most especially, is very evocative for anything […]
When Bordeaux Goes Organic ~ LE CHÂTEAU DE FRANCE is a classic example of how and why
I received an Email from Château de France, an 18th century Château, located in the Pessac-Leognan region of Graves. It’s part of the Union of Grand Crus of Bordeaux, and the email was an update regarding their vineyards and winery. This chateau is now working toward the demands of its worldwide consumers, who are wanting […]
Wine Lovers are Decanting Their Way Through Life, Via a Crystal Experience ~ Era Vino Style
I love crystal. I’m a New Englander, a Mainah Yankee, and we love our china, silvah, and crystal. Today, they’re mostly just treasures from the past, with great memories for special occasions. Our kids don’t even want our “old stuff.” But, I’ll tell you who does… Our grandchildren, for any of us lucky enough to […]
This Thursday, lovers of Beaujolais Nouveau will once again be celebrating Beaujolais Day
This Thursday, lovers of Beaujolais Nouveau will once again be celebrating Beaujolais Day. Having enjoyed many Beaujolais wines, with most of them being at the source of many of the producers, in France, I can tell you that excitement doesn’t even begin to describe the joy I’m feeling right now. This past July, I got […]
Theme of Recreation Lives on at Château de Nervers
The theme of recreation still does live on at Château de Nervers, all while they are making world-class wines. I was touring with a media group this past July, in Odenas, Brouilly, France, as guests of owners Jean-Benoit Chabannes and his charmingly delightful wife Tiphaine de Chabannes, at their château. (SEE MAP BELOW: Odenas is […]
Normal Winery Merger and Acquisition Market in This Last Quarter of 2019
I don’t usually report on real estate in the wine industry. I’ve just watched – for nearly 30 years – so many wineries changing hands, fading into the sunset, changing the name due to notoriety, the failings of venture capitalism, no legacy planning, etc.. It really is the game of Monopoly, with each county having […]
When enjoying a Glass of Wine from Provence Involves a History Lesson of the Middle Ages
When visiting a winery, to capture its heart and soul – as is my custom – it’s helpful if I know very little about it, going into the discoveries. I don’t want to rewrite anything, except actual factuals… And then, what I see it in nuances: what I feel from its aura, what touches my […]
