Napa Valley Vinter’s Wine Academy – in the trenches

The Napa Valley Vintner’s Wine Academy is a significant wine event held annually at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, the heart of California’s wine country. Having been invited to attend afforded an opportunity to meet a “who’s who” list of wine experts, leaps in learning and of course a reason to taste many exceptional Napa Valley wines. A highlight of the week was a day spent in a vineyard during the harvesting of grapes. The names of those attending the academy were matched, by random drawing, with a Napa Valley winemaker. I was first out the door,...

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Roosters and Chianti wines

I am taking notes furiously and can’t wait to share them from this trip.   A fun piece of wine trivia to get us started is about the “black rooster” on labels from the Chianti Classico wines.  I was always told the practical and political reasons behind the labeling but loved hearing the legend from the poised accent of an Italian winemaker. In the middle ages, when the republics of Florence and Siena were fiercely battling for territory between Chianti they constructed a bizarre method to end this continuous conflict.  It was agreed that two knights would set out from their...

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Ask a wine expert about Italy

Today, I am sitting in Italy typing my blog, embarking on a wine journey because of something I read a year ago. It was Matt Kramer’s Wine Spectator column, Are you Afraid of Italian Wines? A shocking confession: Even the experts find the country’s wines daunting.  Why I’m here is because I agree. The columns focus is around he and a fellow wine writer talking shop.  When the conversation leads to a very blunt and truthful statement by his friend and an agreement by most of the wine drinkers in the world including myself.  “ I’m afraid of Italian wines.  It’s not that I...

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Best kept secret in Spain

Unbelievable!  I have been in love with the story of Sherry for years only by reading about it in books or classes and lectures.  Today, I went to Osborne’s bodega in Spain.  Just the tiny corridors of the streets of Jerez and the secret compound of the Estate had me excited before I even made it to my appointment. Walking into the barrel room surrounded by hundreds of Sherry casks laying quietly in the sacred Solera system mesmerized and confirmed why I have such a passion for wine. I know it sounds like a romance … but truly is why I love wines.  Maria was so patient with a barrage...

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Clash of the Sensories

Bratwursts were the meat of choice for us this past holiday weekend and a few sides to make them even tastier.  All was going exceedingly well until the clash of the sensories! Not sure where to lay the blame, but I am almost positive it was with the kraut and the sauvignon blanc.  I’m not sure sauerkraut pairs heavenly with any wine,  but I will definitely explore this a bit closer on our next bratwurst grilling adventure. Let me know if you have any thoughts. Share via ...

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Double gold from way down under

The results are soon to be posted for the Professional Wine Buyer’s Competition, but I thought we should take a sneak peak. Searching out stellar wine values has always been my mission, so with 400 wines in the competition and prices across the board; I knew it would be long day of stained teeth and aching gums.  Not talked about many tasters, but for me crucial to any social interaction following these events.  When you taste 40-60–100 wines throughout a few days, your teeth and gums take a beating.  I usually leave with black teeth and a paranoia of drinking anything extra hot or...

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