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Discover Dão, Portugal – Crush On This Episode 124

It’s time to discover Dão. Located in the center of Portugal, the Dão region is the second-oldest wine region in Portugal. Reds, whites, rosés and...

30 March, 2023

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Joseph Jewell 2020 Pinot Noir, Panther Ridge, Petaluma Gap

In Southern California, we can grill outdoors most of the year. So, when I joined my parents for dinner and my dad started grilling lamb...

29 March, 2023

Tuscany’s Tiny Gem: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

If you love Sangiovese, then the wines of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are for you! Perhaps you have not heard of this historical region located...

28 March, 2023

Please The Palate Pick of the Week: Taste of Pigs & Pinot in Healdsburg

A big juicy steak goes with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. A zesty plate of BBQ pairs with a glass of Zinfandel. And a variety...

25 March, 2023

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Solminer 2021 Dry Riesling Coquelicot Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley

March 13th is the birthday of Riesling, quite literally. The Riesling grape was first documented on the 13th of March in 1435. So, that means...

22 March, 2023

Clone Tasting with Winemaker Chris Kajani of Bouchaine Vineyards

Have you ever heard someone ask "what clone is this?" when you have been tasting wines? Pinot Noir drinkers love to ask this question but...

21 March, 2023

Please The Palate Pick of the Week: Masters of Taste – Returning to the Rosebowl April 2, 2023 and you can save $10 with code: PALATE

The 6th Annual Masters of Taste is returning to the Rose Bowl on April 2nd 2023! Yes, I am writing about something that is upcoming...

18 March, 2023

Five Fun Wine Facts About Cabernet Franc – Crush On This Episode 123

Cabernet Franc is mainly known to be a blending partner to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux region of France. Cabernet Franc adapts well to...

16 March, 2023

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Bulgariana 2020 Gamza, Danube Plains, Bulgaria

Bulgarian wine? Gamza grape? Probably both are unfamiliar to you as they were to me. But I was recently introduced to Bulgarian wines and virtually...

15 March, 2023

Breaking with the norm in Friuli, Italy – Josko Gavner finding his own way ‘to get the best wine’

Last summer I had the honor to travel to Oslavia, a small town in the Friuli region in northeast Italy, and visit Gravner. We spent...

14 March, 2023

Please The Palate Pick of the Week: World of Pinot Noir 2023

There are many wine events throughout the year and I love attending them all. But one event I look forward to every year is World...

11 March, 2023

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Casale del Giglio Matidia 2020 Cesanese, Lazio, Italy

The Tre Bicchieri-awarded wines of Gambero Rosso came to Los Angeles this past week. Hundreds of top-rated wines from across Italy were poured. Each and...

08 March, 2023

Discovering Sicily – The Time Is Now

After the latest season of The White Lotus on HBO, the Italian region of Sicily is at the top of everyone’s list—including that of wine...

07 March, 2023

Please The Palate Pick of the Week: Smoked meats and more at Smoke City Char Bar in Downtown LA

With the cold weather that has hit the west coast, a hearty meal is what I craved. And what is heartier than a big barbecue...

04 March, 2023

What Are Orange Wines? – Crush On This Episode 122

Have you heard about orange wine? Have you ever tasted one? We may think of them as a new category in the wine world, but...

02 March, 2023

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: André Brunel 2020 Vin de Pays de Méditerranée Grenache, Rhône Valley 

It is often thought that you have to spend a lot of money on good wine. But, in the world of wine, there are many...

01 March, 2023

Dreaming of Spring in Provence

When I wrote this story for Wander With Wonder, it had been pouring rain in Southern California and I was dreaming about sipping rosé in...

28 February, 2023

Please The Palate Pick of the Week: Food and Wine Pairing Dinner at Tesse Restaurant with Montecariano Wines

A week ago, a friend asked me to join her at a wine dinner that very night. We bought our tickets only to realize that...

25 February, 2023

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Martha Stoumen 2021 Honeymoon White Wine, Mendocino County

I first met Martha Stoumen last year while traveling in Sonoma. I was with journalist Robert Camuto and were visiting winemakers in California who focus...

22 February, 2023

An Unexpected Windfall at Rowen Wine Co.

The Cooley Ranch is a secluded 20,000-acre ranch in Sonoma that sits above the fog line. This special property has turned out to be an...

21 February, 2023