Del Dotto Teaser: “Look, it’s grape mistletoe!” Del Dotto winemaker Gerard Zanzonico had commented on my Facebook when I mentioned I had a short trip planned to Napa. One of the things I like about Gerard, besides his wine, is his affability. He is one of the easiest people to approach and talk to. He…
Pinot Noir wines are one of the most universal wines in the world. There are so many unique styles and flavor profiles based on different terroirs and vintner processes. One event that I have attended over the past few years is Pinot Days. For 2012 this event was held at the Shrine Auditorium in downtown…
Moscow’s Red October district not only has an infamous history, this is now the hub of the city’s nightlife. Just ask any Muscovite who fancies himself “hip,” and most likely they’ll direct you to Red October. Just a fifteen-minute stroll from Red Square, the district is a compilation of red-painted buildings that are home to…
The holiday season is here and many people are big fans of Pinot Noir with their turkey and ham dinners. Yes, there are other selections you could be making in pairing wine with your family holiday meals, but I have had so many questions about suggestions for wines to pour I felt it was a…
With the excitement of the holiday season around the corner we thought that it would be fun to see what wines the GOTN group serve for Thanksgiving. This was the first time the door was opened allowing everyone to bring wines they would normally drink rather than searching for a particular varietal that had been…
This was the first time I had been to the Shrine Auditorium next to USC for anything, and lucky for us Pinot Days had planned their grand tasting event on a Sunday sans traffic. We were also well instructed as to where to park, how much time to allow, and as they had lost their…
The opulent grandeur of Vienna’s Imperial Hotel is unrivaled. This renown and luxurious palace transports its guests back to a time when the Hapsburgs reigned supreme. Typical guests include royalty, presidents, the super rich, and of course, Bond … James Bond. To commemorate “Skyfall,” the 23rd installment in the Bond series, what could be more…
Four Brix Winery has just released its first sparkling wine, just in time to kick off the holidays. Affectionately named, Baubles, this bubbly is comprised of 60% chardonnay, 40% pinot noir. Made in the methode champenoise style, Baubles has the petite bubbles that indicate a fine sparkling wine. As with all the labels of Four…
During one of the last warm days in October we took a beautiful drive through a long winding road that led us to a new winery about 30 minutes from our home in Newhall. The exterior of the winery was decorated with an expansive fountain framed by an equally expansive view of vines on three…
Once again almost a dozen merchants along Town Center Drive and the Patios of the Westfield Valencia Mall played host, with the help of dozens of volunteers, donated wine and purveyors of fine food, to The Wine Affair: Sip, Stroll & Savor the Sounds. Guests had four hours to complete their loop tour and be…