Red blend wines often receive moments to shine simply because of their unique nature.   A little of this, a little of that and a winery creates a bottle of wine that reflects its culture.  Provided that you like what the winemaker bottles, it then allows the winery to set itself uniquely apart from the […]

  For anyone who has grown grapes, made wine or for any length of time simply lived adjacent to the wine industry, the heart and the base of winemaking is agriculture.  Our culture for generations has associated wine consumption with finery, celebration and at times, elitism.   But at the end of the day, the grapes […]

  Why yes!  Even though it is late May and most of the United States this very week is heating up to encourage an early arrival of hot summer days, I do say “Cabernet” . . .  I just say “Cabernet Franc” with unbridled enthusiasm.   Hot weather screams for crisp white wines, the icy […]

    Tempranillo is that wonderful Spanish red wine grape that invokes images of rustic cuisine, tapas and sun-soaked Spanish country-side.  The grape uniquely originates in Spain and has seen introduction and increased popularity in the United States.  It is a pleasant departure from the readily available Bordeaux and Rhone varietals found throughout Napa Valley. […]

  Over the course of the past three years, I have made a concentrated effort to pair wines largely from family-owned wineries in Napa Valley with quality cuisine that is casually manageable in the home kitchen.  This is the heartbeat of the culture of California cuisine and California wine.  The two go hand in hand, […]