Instead of overwhelming the previous post with the first batch of quarantine wines, I’ll continue detailing my self-isolated wine drinking in a separate post. Here are my tasting notes on the bottles of wine I enjoy while practicing social distancing during the COVID-19 crisis of 2020 (cont…). New bottles added! Domaine Jean Dauvissat Pere…
Quarantine Life One Bottle at a Time
Practicing self-isolation during our global coronavirus pandemic does not mean that we will stay away from wine! On the contrary, this is a great opportunity to get INTO some new wines and try out some of the bottles we’ve been holding onto in our wine fridge. Here we go! Quarantine life one bottle at a…
Music & Wine Pairing with House of Krug Champagne on Winetraveler.com
We all could use a little distraction during this time. Recently (before coronavirus), I had the opportunity to sit down with Oliver Krug, who is the Krug House Director and sixth-generation Krug family member involved with the operation of the iconic Champagne House. Oliver and I tasted through two of his beautiful Champagnes. One was…
March Vino Column “Wine in a Can”
Canned wine is all the rage now! Or is it? Have you tried one yet? It may sound like a foreign concept to the strictest wine-lovers, but canned wines can actually be quite convenient. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that Amanda Fraga, Head Sommelier for The Genuine Hospitality Group, and I recently…
Visiting Loudoun County Virginia: Wine, History, Attractions and More on Winetraveler.com
I have a story about Virginia and wine. If you’ve been following along through my wine adventures since the beginning (2012), then you know I started writing this blog while I was living in Arlington, VA and exploring Virginia wine country. It was truly my “start” in wine writing, and I consider Virginia wine my…
“Through the Grapevine” Sommelier Stories
We have some exciting people in the wine industry down here in South Florida. I’m so proud to be part of this growing community of energizing, wine-loving souls! Though we are not near a wine region here in Miami, that doesn’t mean that we don’t have an incredibly knowledgeable base of people who are spreading…
When It Comes to Restaurants, Give Me More Than a Story
It happens all too often. A new restaurant comes to town (or maybe a new spot opens by local chefs). Hype ensues. Local bloggers attach themselves to the story. Buzz words like “homegrown,” “authentic,” “ethnic,” “local,” “natural,” and “gem” pop up in the stories. Usually, there is a very compelling story. Pick-me-up-by-the-bootstraps type of story….
On Judging a Wine Competition & the Results of the 2020 American Fine Wine Competition
For those of you who only see my Vino column or other articles I write about wine that end up online, you may not know that I’m also a wine judge for a couple of competitions–both take place locally in South Florida, but one has national reach. The American Fine Wine Competition just wrapped up…
February Vino Column “New World Reds that Aren’t Cabernet Sauvignon”
Shopping for wines can actually be a challenge at some of the standard wine stores around the country. If you really pay attention, you’ll notice that much of the selection is geared toward certain regions and grapes. In fact, if you walk down the aisles of Total Wine or ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, you’ll…
Discover Mendoza’s Wine Country on Winetraveler.com
Amazing Argentina: A beautiful country full of natural wonders and lots of wine. It’s the land of Malbec, which has a rich history and story to tell. Just last week, I had the pleasure of attending an event hosted by Bodega Catena Zapata, where we had the opportunity to taste through several lines of premium…
