It’s that time of year. The temperatures are climbing and wine lovers begin to instinctively reach for crisp whites and refreshing rosés—and with good reason. These styles of wines shine in the heat. Their bright acidity and vibrant fruit flavors pair perfectly with sunshine and summer shenanigans. But warm-weather wine sipping calls for a little…
Chardonnay, everyone has heard of Chardonnay and is known for its love/hate relationship. The grape’s history can be traced to Burgundy, France. It is considered a noble grape (the others include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling) and was “born” through a natural crossing between Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc. Known as…
Viognier is a grape with a remarkable history of survival and resurrection. Once on the brink of extinction, this aromatic and expressive white wine has overcome devastating challenges, from the phylloxera epidemic of the 19th century to its near disappearance after World War II. Thanks to the dedication of vintners worldwide, Viognier has made a…
Wineries today are searching for new ways to save water and to increase their sustainability. Sometimes, it is better to look into the past for answers than into the future. In my latest piece for The Vintner Project, I interviewed Joe Nielsen of Ram’s Gate Winery in Sonoma and we discussed How Old School Technology is Helping…
I had the honor of interviewing Samra Morris, winemaker for Alma Rosa Winery in Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Many people say they have had a difficult childhood, but I don’t many have had to dodge bullets while growing up. I have met many winemakers, but Samra stands out in more than one way. She lived…
Quite some time ago, I began an article about the Texas AVAs. I had never had a Texan wine, but I was curious. So I began researching. It took a long time to get everything organized and to actually sit down and finish the article. This was the first truly investigative piece that I have…
Are you familiar with Cabernet Franc, Carménère, or Carignan? Unless you are deep into the wine scene, these grape varieties probably aren’t rolling off the tip of your tongue. However, the odds are that you are familiar with Cabernet Sauvignon. You have seen it on the wine list of every restaurant you’ve sat down in….
Tomorrow, May 26th is National Chardonnay Day. Weren’t aware of the holiday? Well, it happens every year on the Thursday before Memorial Day. So mark your calendars and grab a bottle. In honor of the holiday, I would like to share an article I wrote that was published on drinkstack.com. Chardonnay has had a difficult…
As the world revolves around the sun, living organisms evolve. It is a constantly changing place and we must adapt in order to remain in it. Some things are simpler than others to adapt to. If it’s cold outside, we put on a coat. When it’s raining, we either get wet and don’t care, or…
