Especially helpful if you've never been to Napa - but even if you have, maybe a tip or trick here can help take your next trip to the next level. Check out these 7 Tips to Know Before You Go. Tip 1: Choose Your Hotel Location Wisely Choosing the right location for...
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Australian Chardonnay: Penfolds
If you're a Chardonnay lover, consider exploring Australian Chardonnay. From bright and fruity flavors, to complex and rich oak-aged expressions - this variety is sure to tantalize your taste buds. Let’s explore what makes it so unique. Australia is renowned for its...
Discover South African Chenin Blanc
Want to expand your wine horizons? Consider exploring South African Chenin Blanc! Whether you prefer a dry white or something more sweet, there’s a wide variety of styles on offer from this region. Let’s explore why they are so special. Chenin Blanc Overview Chenin...
How To Curate A Cellar – Finding The Right Wines To Age
This post is for those who are interested in finding the right wines to age for long term wine storage. (i.e. greater than 3 years). In order to discuss this, we need to know what types of wines will age. There are a few things to look for when considering aging a...
How To Curate A Cellar
Think of curating a wine cellar like curating your wardrobe. When it comes to having a well-curated collection, both wine cellars and closets share some common elements. First and foremost - every single wine cellar should be unique to the person who owns it. As...
Wine Tasting Basics
Wine Tasting Basics: What to Look For In Every Glass If you’re interested in learning more about the world of wine, it helps to understand the basics of wine tasting. It’s important to learn how to recognize the different characteristics of a wine, not just for...
Holiday Wine Pairings
Make your taste buds jingle all the way with these holiday wine pairings. It's the most wonderful time of the year! Which means it's also time to start thinking about what you're going to serve for Christmas dinner. Turkey? Check. Mashed potatoes? Check. Green bean...
7/8/22 Weekly Wine Picks
On the list for 7/8/22 weekly wine picks is a Champagne that pairs with nearly anything on your table, a Rosso from a powerhouse Brunnello producer, and a white that's the #1 value pick of 2021 wine pick from James Suckling. NV Laherte Frères Blanc de Blancs Brut...
7/1/22 Weekly Wine Picks
7/1/22 Wine Access Weekly picks this Week: A Rosé Champagne that will blow your mind not your budget, from a winery that Dom Perignon and Krug get grapes from. A red from Bandol that's a darling of Michelin restaurants that just might become your new Cabernet...
Review of Martha Stewart Wine Co
As a wine educator, Martha Stewart Wine Co sounded really interesting to me for a number of reasons. I'll let you know that I am an affiliate with Martha Stewart Wine Co, but I only started recommending her products after going through this experience. This blog post...
Portuguese Wine Travels: Villa Rosa Bairrada Baga Wine Review
Portuguese Wine is some of the best and most memorable wine I've ever tasted. One of the most memorable experiences I've had was perhaps at a Michelin Star restaurant, at The Yeatman, in Porto. Every course was served with a Portuguese wine to match. And every wine...
Viura: Spanish White Wine Intro
Viura (also known as Macabeo) is a native Spanish white grape that has quite a history! In Penedes, and a few other areas of Spain, this grape is known as Macabeo. You can also find Macabeo in Rousillion, France! In Valencia, Rioja, and Rueda, this grape is called...
Aligoté: The Middle Child of Burgundy
Aligoté is the "other" Burgundian white wine. Simply enough, when you typically see Burgundy white wine it's 100% Chardonnay. If you're waiting for the other shoe to drop, thinking, "That's way too easy" -- you're right. Depending on the region, vineyard, and...
Grillo: Sicilian White Wine
This Grillo from L'arca was the first bottle of wine I tried from Martha Stewart Wine Co. Sicilian White Wines You Need to Know: Grillo We’ve already done a post about an intro to Sicilian reds, covering Frappato, a native red grape. Later this month I will also be...
Intro to Napa Chardonnay: Chateau Montelena
Chateau Montelena may not be a name you're too familiar with. However, you may have heard of the movie "Bottle Shock" with all-star cast Chris Pine, Alan Rickman, and Bill Pullman. This film is (loosely) based around the blind tasting in 1976 called the Judgement of...
Alexander Valley Cabernet : Jordan 2008 Wine Review
Alexander Valley may not be the first place you think of when you hear "California Cabernet Sauvignon." Typically, one's mind most naturally thinks of Napa Valley. However, today we are going to take a look at an exceptional winery in Alexander Valley, in Sonoma...
Barbera, Barbaresco and Barolo: How They Differ
I am pretty excited about this Barbera post because I think there's a ton of confusion about Barbera. It's sort of pushed to the side and forgotten, seen as the "lesser" sister from the famous land where big brother and sister, Barolo and Barbaresco (the King and...
End of Summer Wine List: Transition to Fall
With labor day around the corner, I felt it was high time for an end of summer wine list. It's nearly September, but some of us are a little weary of stepping into fall. We're slowly transitioning from light meals to heavier ones, incorporating pumpkin spice into...
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How To Curate A Cellar
Think of curating a wine cellar like curating your wardrobe. When it comes to having a well-curated collection, both wine cellars and closets share some common elements. First and foremost - every single wine cellar should be unique to the person who owns it. As...



Baking Soda versus Baking Powder
Baking soda versus baking powder: what's the difference? Baking is a science and having the right ingredients can make a big difference in your finished product. If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between the two, you’re not alone! Many people don’t know...



Wine Tasting Basics
Wine Tasting Basics: What to Look For In Every Glass If you’re interested in learning more about the world of wine, it helps to understand the basics of wine tasting. It’s important to learn how to recognize the different characteristics of a wine, not just for...



Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins have been on my mind for a while now. I finally had a few overripe bananas (see below on how overripe) so I could experiment with some recipes! It's been so rainy the past few weeks that I've been able to catch up on a few different...



Holiday Wine Pairings
Make your taste buds jingle all the way with these holiday wine pairings. It's the most wonderful time of the year! Which means it's also time to start thinking about what you're going to serve for Christmas dinner. Turkey? Check. Mashed potatoes? Check. Green bean...



7/8/22 Weekly Wine Picks
On the list for 7/8/22 weekly wine picks is a Champagne that pairs with nearly anything on your table, a Rosso from a powerhouse Brunnello producer, and a white that’s the #1 value pick of 2021 wine pick from James Suckling.



7/1/22 Weekly Wine Picks
7/1/22 Wine Access Weekly picks this Week: A Rosé Champagne that will blow your mind not your budget, from a winery that Dom Perignon and Krug get grapes from. A red from Bandol that's a darling of Michelin restaurants that just might become your new Cabernet...



Keller’s Buttermilk Biscuits
Why Keller's Buttermilk Biscuits? This recipe is based on Thomas Keller's recipe from his incredible cookbook Ad Hoc at Home. When I was working as a consultant/Executive Chef starting up a restaurant, I put Keller's Sandwich on the menu, which was a monster fried...



Frosé
Frosé. What could be a better signal of summer than that? It's refreshing, easy to drink (maybe a bit too easy?), and just straight delicious. Have you ever tried to make your own frosé? It's so easy! And if you're looking for a beverage to bring to a Memorial Day...



Strawberry Sorbet
It's almost Memorial Day Weekend! Strawberry sorbet made from fresh strawberries is one of my favorite dessert components of all time. I love using this strawberry sorbet recipe for client dinners. The sweet and refreshing sorbet pairs so well with so many different...