I moved to the Washington D.C. area almost exactly 11 years ago. It was September, I remember, because my first day at my new job in Tysons Corner, VA was right around Labor Day. It wouldn't be long before the leaves would start to change, and I would get a taste of my first mid-Atlantic... Continue Reading →
Vidal Blanc Grape Profile on Winetraveler.com
The winning wine of this year's Virginia Governor's Cup competition was a Vidal Blanc Passito from 868 Vineyards in Loudoun County, VA. It was quite the accomplishment for the winning wine to be a dessert wine, but a hybrid grape dessert wine made in a niche style from one of the lesser well-known winegrowing areas... Continue Reading →
Petit Manseng Grape Profile on Winetraveler.com
If you've been following me on social media (@historyandwine), or pay any attention to my quarantine tasting notes posts, you'll know that I took part in a Virginia Petit Manseng Trio tasting last week hosted by Early Mountain Vineyard, which was just fantastic. Living in Miami has made it fairly difficult for me to drink... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
On Coravin: The Voyage of Viognier in the U.S.
There are some grapes that you don't see very often on wine lists, but when you get a great bottle of these varieties, it can take your night from "good" to "great." One of these grapes is Viognier. I'm a big fan of this white Rhône variety that was nearly extinct about 50 years ago,... Continue Reading →
Wine Enthusiast Announces 40 Under 40 Tastemakers & a Friend Makes the List!
Yesterday, Wine Enthusiast announced online their 40 Under 40 Tastemakers for 2019, and I was proud to see a friend and Virginia winery CEO on the list. Kirk Wiles, CEO and Founder of Paradise Springs Winery located in Clifton, Virginia and now also in Santa Barbara, California is well-deserving of the recognition. The Wine Enthusiast 40 Under... Continue Reading →
10 Great Virginia Wineries That Are a Day Trip From Washington, D.C. on Winetraveler
If you know me, you know that I really got my start writing about wine while living in Northern Virginia outside of Washington, D.C. I would spend some weekends out in Virginia Wine Country looking for the best glass of Virginia wine, and I would always bring some home or look for VA labels out... Continue Reading →
On Coravin: From Sea to Shining Sea: America’s First Bi-Coastal Winery
Sometimes, I get to write about things that really bring me joy— like Virginia wine! Or better yet, a friend and fellow ‘Cane who is making waves in the wine industry through his very successful bi-coastal winery. Thanks to Coravin for the opportunity to highlight Kirk Wiles and the FIRST bi-coastal winery in the U.S., Paradise... Continue Reading →
5 Wine Regions to Visit in 2019
Deciding where to plan your next wine vacation can be a bit daunting. With so many options from Napa to New Zealand, it’s easy to see how any wine-o can develop decision fatigue. Do you want to drink Pinot Grigio or Pinotage? Would you rather sip Sauvignon Blanc or Semillon? Visit the ocean or the... Continue Reading →
Local South Florida Musician Spotlight: Ominé Eager
It is rare in this modern world of auto-tune and manufactured pop divas to find raw musical talent in the mainstream. Most of what we hear on the radio is audibly "photo shopped", so-to-speak, and seemingly nothing comes from the heart. Despite the lack of quality in what we consider "popular" tunes, there is still... Continue Reading →