When I first saw the bottle, I had never heard of the grape "Black Malvoisie". But in fact, Black Malvoisie is an old name for...
Behind every great wine is a great story. And some stories stretch back centuries. I recently had the extraordinary pleasure of dining with Marchese Anselmo...
You hear Beaujolais and odds are your mind goes straight to Nouveau. That pop of fresh Gamay released every November, racing to market as the...
Oh mon dieu Monduese! How have I not enjoyed you before? An under-the-radar red wine variety, it just recently hit my radar! So little is...
When it comes to a wine blend, the sum is greater than its parts. But what caught my eye were the parts of this wine....
Spring is here and I am coming up for air after having just completed the 2nd annual Festival of Forgotten Grapes. I spent most of...
There are hundreds upon hundreds of unique grape varieties. In California, 93% of what is planted, is planted to 9 primary grapes. More than 100...
Wine and food on their own are delightful, but when paired together, they can elevate each other in unexpected ways. A sip of wine can...
Studies suggest that 60-70% of consumers make their wine purchasing decisions based on the label. This means that the label's design, color, font, imagery, and...
March 25th is National Women and Wine Day and to celebrate, I am sharing the story I wrote for The Tasting Panel Magazine (May/June 2025)...
Forget any stereotypes you might have about New Zealand wines, especially about Sauvignon Blanc. Marisco Family Vineyards is proving that elegance, quality, and a true...
The annual Slow Wine Tour came to Los Angeles this past week. The Slow Wine Guide, which originated in Italy and also exists in the...
In the rolling hills of Piemonte’s Langhe region, nestled within the village of Barolo, stands G.D. Vajra di Aldo e Milena Vaira, an independent, family-run...
Blind tasting isn’t just a party trick; it’s a skill. Think of it like a detective piecing together clues—wine tells a story of grape, region,...
Food and wine pairing is an art that transforms a meal into an experience, elevating both the dish and the wine to something greater than...
Nestled in the secluded hills of Ventura County, Ojai is often overshadowed by its more prominent neighbors, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. While the town...
Wine is made to pair with food. And when you have a pairing that really works together, it might stop you in your tracks. That...
In Italy, Fiano is an Italian white wine grape variety that is grown primarily in the Campania region of southern Italy and on the island...
While in Santa Barbara for a conference this past week, I spent time with Magan Eng, proprietor of Kunin Wines. From Cinsault, Counoise, Carignane, and...
The first time I had the idea of creating The Festival of Forgotten Grapes, I knew it would be a challenge. I have planned events...