On a cold autumn evening smack dab in the middle of harvest in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma, California, you will find Randy Pitts crushing grapes and rocking out to old-school, punk rock legends like Pennywise and NOFX. “Music motivates us. It inspires us with the little notes that dance around in our head […]
Tag: sparkling wine
Wines for the 2019 Holidays and Beyond
As the weather and seasons change, as well as during the holidays, consumers often seize the opportunity to enjoy what wine experts sometimes feature as holiday or seasonal wines. However, I am of the belief that wines do not have to be seasonal in nature. I enjoy food-friendly, versatile wines that are appropriate for all […]
Brunch with Friends: Sparkling Wines and Healthy Food Choices for All Budgets
For many, brunch is the earliest meal of the day when alcoholic beverages are deemed socially acceptable. It often conjures up images of Mimosas and Bloody Marys and calorie-laden breakfast and lunch foods, because after all, brunch is two meals rolled into one. People who brunch usually have limitless finances to spend on this leisurely […]
Frank Family Vineyards: Drink Pink for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Frank Family Vineyards: Drink Pink for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
2011 Lieb Cellars Reserve Blanc de Blancs: My Lake Tahoe Wine of the Moment
The first weekend of May 2017, I finally crossed Lake Tahoe off my bucket list with my first trip there. It seemed only fitting to celebrate my inaugural visit with a sparkling wine. Instead of choosing Champagne or a California sparkling wine, my usual go-tos, I selected the 2011 Lieb Cellars Reserve Blanc de Blancs […]
Champagne Jacquart Brut Mosaïque NV
I have chronicled my short journey with sparkling wine previously on this blog, winning the Monthly Wine Writing Challenge #27 back in September 2016 with my post entitled Loving Bubbles, Loving Life. What was once was an elusive beverage to me is now a regular staple in my everyday enjoyment of wine. I am always […]
Loving Bubbles, Loving Life
*This is my WINNING post for Monthly Wine Writing Challenge #27, #MWWC27, whose theme was BUBBLES.* The first fizzy ‘wine’ that I remember tasting was Boone’s Farm Tickle Pink. I was (maybe) of legal drinking age and it was under $2.00 per bottle. I would pick it up for a party and end up drinking the […]
Michael David Winery
I’m taking a wine marketing class this fall and on the first night of class, my instructor reminded me of something very important: only 20% of the United States population purchases wine and those customers are often drawn to wine brands based on an emotional connection or experience with the wine. Perhaps it was a […]
Domaine Carneros
It’s wine club pick-up month at Domaine Carneros, which reminded me that I neglected to share with you my first comprehensive review of the winery over at American Winery Guide. Domaine Carneros has been producing traditional method sparkling wines as well as pinot noir and other varietal grapes in the Carneros AVA for almost 30 years. My […]