I am a sucker for a good love story. I love those warm and fuzzy feelings, hoping my favorite characters find each other and that they make it last. My favorite love story, however, is an unconventional one, but one of the greatest romances of all time: wine and food. These two have been together for centuries creating magic at dinner tables around the world, finding each other again and again, but, like any good relationship, the two must be compatible to work. This is where we come in, the … [Read more...] about Food and Wine Pairing: A Love Story
wine
A Wine Guide for the Holidays
When I think about the holidays, a lot comes to mind. First, the excitement of being with family and friends and creating wonderful and hilarious memories with them. Second, everything that needs to be done, the shopping and decorating and cooking and cleaning. And third, all the wine I’m going to drink! Wine is my secret weapon during the holiday season. It brings out the best in all of the delectable foods, makes a great gift and helps tremendously after a long day of putting up lights or … [Read more...] about A Wine Guide for the Holidays
Learning the Language of Wine
I saw it there, shining up at me from my menu. It looked so intriguing, mysterious and according to the written suggestion, would pair well with the dish I wanted to order. The only problem? I couldn’t pronounce it. I wanted to be the kind of wine drinker who ordered unusual wines with confidence and grace, but I was too afraid to make the attempt at ordering it and embarrassing myself, so I stuck with the wine I knew best. The mystery wine was a Gewürztraminer (guh-VURTS-trah-mee-ner) and … [Read more...] about Learning the Language of Wine
Wine Terminology: Getting to Know the Lingo
Many words are thrown around when it comes to wine. You might overhear someone say, “notes of leather and wood” or “loud” or “angular,” and think to yourself, “What in the world is that person drinking?” Wine terms are, in my opinion, a lot like Shakespearean words: specific, lovely and often made up. This is due to the diversity of wine and our inability to describe all of its subtleties with a limited vocabulary. When training a staff member who is new to wine, I most often hear that they are … [Read more...] about Wine Terminology: Getting to Know the Lingo
Fire and Ice: Extreme Weather Hits Vineyards in Arizona, France
Severe weather has wreaked havoc with winemakers on both sides of the Atlantic this spring. As adjusting with the elements is a staple of agriculture, Arizona winemakers and aficionados anxiously watched destructive flames approach Sonoita, the state’s oldest continuous viticultural area located south of Tucson. Meanwhile, Sonoita-Elgin, its counterpart in France’s Bordeaux and Burgundy regions, was taking extreme measures to keep vineyards warm through the night, fighting off the worst frost … [Read more...] about Fire and Ice: Extreme Weather Hits Vineyards in Arizona, France