“Mon Chou” … my sweetheart … my darling … when used in casual conversation among the French.  When found made as a red wine, Mon Chou will equally enamor you. Elyse Winery (“Elyse”) located on Hoffman Lane in Napa Valley makes a red wine under its Jacob Franklin label called “Mon Chou” that is a […]

Pinot Noir over the last decade has been a red wine varietal that has triggered passionate conversations, some of which have been full of content and others full of bandwagon generated fluff.  The finicky grape is one that requires a careful climate, a rich soil and a talented hand in the ultimate making of its […]

Sparkling wine is that wine that we inevitably reach for in a moment of celebration.   Yet there are so many varieties of varying sweetness to ultra dryness.   Depending on the grapes used, the amount of sugar added and the dryness of the sparkling, a wide world of varying cuisine can be paired with sparkling wine:   […]

It is the height of the holiday season and at every turn there is some temptation under our nose.  Appetizers at holiday parties swirl around us, neighbors ring doorbells with drive-by gifting of baked goods and a never-ending fusion of sugar meets the eye.  Despite all the hubbub and activity, there is still time to […]

People are passionate about wine.  They are even more passionate about red wine.  There is something luxurious, rich, warm and deep that unfolds from a glass of good red wine.  Too often we focus on standard red grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.  There are, however, other varietals in the wine […]