In the midst of the holiday season, sweets, cookies and baked goods bombard the senses.   Despite the potential for sugar overload, there is the possibility to pair a wine that is semi-sweet:   Riesling. Riesling is most notably planted in Germany, but can be found planted in France, Italy, the United States and other countries.   In […]

‘Tis the Season . . . for Dungeness Crab and Sparkling Wine!    While December can bring colder temperatures and often inclement weather, it makes up for it by delivering fresh Dungeness Crab to the Bay Area.   In the Bay Area, Dungeness Crab season typically begins in December and thus the delicious seafood finds its way […]

This weekend surprised Napa Valley with an uncharacteristic thunderstorm and cool, cloudy weather.   While the moisture was welcomed, it certainly was atypical for Harvest.   However, it provided ample opportunity to mull over autumn recipes and pour a white wine better suited for slightly cooler temperatures:   Chardonnay. Chardonnay originally hails from France and in the region […]

This week launched the month of September but brought hot temperatures to Napa Valley.   Despite sweltering weather, the end of summer looms as this weekend hosts the bittersweet holiday of Labor Day.   Societal lore dictates, after next Monday, that white pants are not to be worn until next summer and summer backyard barbeques are to […]

Ever heard that phrase “it’s an oldie, but a goodie”?    Some things in life simply transcend time:   such as, a classic vintage car on a warm August afternoon, a carefully planned picnic with time-tested recipes, roadside grape vines before harvest and a good bottle of an old vine wine.  Regardless of when you choose to […]