cabernet franc leaf with identifying features

Exploring the Elegance of Cabernet Franc: From Vineyard to Glass

Why Does Cabernet Franc Deserve the Spotlight?  In the nine years since I created Cabernet Franc Day, I have seen Cabernet Franc gain more space in the spotlight. There have been many articles written about how it is having its day and each one places a smile on my face.   Cabernet Franc was quite the…

image of Lori Budd and host of Your Central Valley Kayla Holt

TV Segment: Downtown Paso Wineries on Your Thanksgiving Table

I returned to Your Central Valley to discuss Thanksgiving wine pairing suggestions. With almost 30 wineries located in downtown, there are a myriad of possibilities to make your holiday dinner spectacular.  On this segment we paired the following wines: PasoSecco Sparkling Grenache Blanc –  Sparkling Gougeres Dracaena Wines 2022 Classic Cabernet Franc – roasted butternut…

family tree with Cab Franc as the main father
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World Merlot Day – Rediscovering a Classic

Oh Merlot! The step-child of the wine world. The grape that could have been if it weren’t for a stupid line in a movie that also may be the MOST misunderstood line in any movie ever.  But thankfully, Merlot seems to be on the rise again. Let’s celebrate it this Thursday, International Merlot Day.  The…

Dracaena Wines

Variety vs. Varietal; It’s a Grammar Thing Not a Snooty Thing

One of my goals in wine education is to make it less snooty. Wine should not only be enjoyed by a few, rather it should be enjoyed by the masses. There is a constant line in the sand that separates oenophile aficionados and the wine neophyte.  I wish this line wasn’t there, but it is…

San Marco on Winephabet Street

San Marco on Winephabet Street

Welcome to our latest installment of #WinephabetStreet brought to you by Dracaena Wines and Trio North Wildwood. In this series, Debbie Gioquindo and I work our way through the wine world one letter each month. We discuss the characteristics and history of the grape, as well as suggested wine pairings. So uncork, unscrew or saber…

san marco grapes on vine

Join Us on Winephabet Street; San Marco

What is Winephabet Street, you ask? Think of it as Sesame Street for Winelovers! It is a livestream/podcast/blogpost interactive discussion all about wine.  Winephabet Street is a collaboration between Debbie Gioquindo, aka HVWineGoddess, and myself. We will be working our way through the alphabet discussing wine varieties and regions. So grab a glass and join…

the Hulk being angry

As a Wine Lover This is Fake News But as a Scientist it Pisses Me Off

This past week, I read an article about capsules on wine. Granted, the title caught my eye, and I clicked on the bait. After reading the article I was infuriated on different levels.  Study reveals capsules and foils prevent bacterial contamination Ever since I was young, I loved science. My very first science class taught…