PRAISE FOR THE MEZCAL RUSH: “A rich, inclusive portrait of one of the world’s great drinks.” —Kirkus Reviews “A unique and fascinating journey following the mezcal trail from remote Mexican villages to trendy bars abroad … Greene’s lively and skillful blend of travelogue and social commentary charts the sometimes troubled links between these very different worlds.”…
Hamilton, Bermuda – MARTINI® Prosecco Vintage 2016 has achieved a top score of 95+ points at The Drinks Business Prosecco Masters 2017, beating strong competition from some of the world’s best loved Prosecco brands including Bisol, Bottega, Follador and Andreola. The judging panel, comprising five Masters of Wine, also presented MARTINI Prosecco Vintage with one…
What a rare treat it was for me to sample the current releases from Champagne Armand de Brignac, aka “Ace of Spades”, that I had to admit I have never sampled before. This is how it went: The Stage The boardroom of the Beverly Hills Hotel was the perfect size for a small group of…
I first saw a video of how Shannon Ridge Wines raise sheep to sustainably manage their vineyards, rotating the sheep from vineyard to vineyard to control cover crop growth and naturally fertilize the land. I was intrigued. Visiting the Lake County winery and meeting vintner/rancher Clay Shannon underscored the responsibility he feels to protect and…
It has been no secret that I am a fan of Abe Schoener’s Scholium Project wines. I am also a fan of Abe Schoener. Yes, his wines are good, often great, sometimes challenging. In addition, it is his philosophical approach to winemaking and vineyards that really resonates with me. When I got an email from…
HEALDSBURG, Calif. -Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley (WDCV) began their 2016 grape harvest this week, and shared their predictions for the season. Picking began on Saturday, August 13 for Amista Vineyards Sparkling Blanc de Blancs, ten days later than they began harvesting their fruit in 2015. Overall, quality predictions are extremely positive after a year…
A quick overview of what the four classes will cover: Selecting and understanding the vineyard, Harvest: Pre, Post and During Inside the winery, fermentation and making the wine Barrel usage, racking, topping off and aging Bottling, Corks, Labels and labeling laws What to bring to class: An open mind A great attitude A passion for…
I’ve been writing about the Garagiste Festivals since they started in 2011, so I won’t bore you with too much of the history here. Summary: Focusing on small wineries, many with no tasting rooms, it started with an annual event in Paso Robles, expanded to Solvang, then to Los Angeles and most recently added an…
SHANE WINES I admire pretty much all people who have made the wine industry their lifework, but I have a special place in my heart for those who give up careers in other, sometime lucrative, fields to take the big jump. With an English degree from the Virginia Military Institute and the start of a…
On March 6 I interviewed Chef Tamra Levine about her inspired interpretation of Chilean fare for a wine pairing dinner at Salt Creek Grille. A month later, and I’m still ranting about it. But the difference is that I’ve now had the dinner. You may have remembered last Thursday. The winds whipped up to try…