Why Every Beer Drinker Eventually Needs To Know A Little About Wine I'm a beer guy. But after years of visiting wineries, attending wine festivals and tasting wines everywhere from California to Switzerland I have learned that every beer drinker should know a little about wine. Here's a guide to what I have learned from wine drinkers and on my own. You love beer. So … [Read more...]
Wine
Stop Saving That Good Bottle of Wine: Why Most Wines Should Be Enjoyed Now
Why It's Better To Consume Sooner Rather Than Later And Other Tips Wondering if you should save that expensive bottle of wine for a special occasion? In most cases, the answer is no. Here’s why most wines are meant to be enjoyed now—not stored for years hoping they improve. By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine Blogger Are you the type of person that when they get … [Read more...]
Israeli Wines Review: A Pleasant Surprise From an Ancient Wine Region
Israeli wines exceeded my expectations. After tasting two whites and two reds, here's my honest review of Israeli wines, tasting notes and why they're worth trying. By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Editor & Publisher At first I admit I was skeptical. When I was provided four bottles of wines from Israel– a Sauvignon Blanc, a Chardonnay style and two reds – I was not … [Read more...]
Paring Traditional Holiday Movies With These California Wines
One of the traditions of the holiday season is to watch traditional movies. Adults, tho, need something more than a storyline to keep them entertained (let's face it, some of them move pretty slow, especially when compared with today's pace). So why not add some libations to it to make it more entertaining? Better yet, invite over some friends and make it a party. Now that … [Read more...]
Interesting And Unique Holiday Experiences At California Wineries To Explore This Winter
Wine and the holidays go together like and kissing and mistletoe and California wineries have several interesting and unique to experience this winter. Here is a rundown that includes Christmas markets which are highly popular events in European cities, horse-drawn carries rides and even an end-of-Prohibition celebration. Holiday Wine Villages and Markets Tin City … [Read more...]
How To Find Events And Celebrate California Wine Month In September
September is California Wine Month in the wine country state and that means there are hundreds if not thousands of events at wineries to celebrate the fall harvest. They can be fun – some involve grape stomping parties followed by wine tastings – and educational to attend. But finding them all or even a few can be as confusing as trying to pick out a good bottle of pinot … [Read more...]
I Am A Bargain Wine Shopper And Here Are My Secrets
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine Enthusiast As a wine enthusiast tho not a wine snob, I enjoy drinking wines. But I don't have to smell the cork, swirl a small bit in a glass and take a sniff before drinking it. This puts me in the majority of wine drinkers, which is someone who likes the taste, the experience and the moments it brings when drinking wine. And while … [Read more...]
The Anatomy of Wine Tasting Events: A Fascinating Journey
In The Beginning They Are Sophisticated But In The End It's Really About The Party By The Nighlife Blogger, PubClub.com's Roving Events Festvial Blogger I love wine tastings and wine festivals. I enjoy them much more than I actually enjoy the wines. That's because they are fun events, and I find it fascinating to watch the demeanor and the mood of the people … [Read more...]
Exploring the Hidden Gems: Swiss Wines
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine Blogger I know what you're thinking. You're in a restaurant in Switzerland and are in the mood for a glass of wine with your meal. You're familiar with the French wines, of course, and the menu also has selections from South Africa. You know South African wines are quite good, and you've even likely had them at some time in the … [Read more...]
Top Wines To Serve And Drink For Thanksgiving Dinner & Dishes
Perfect Wine Pairings For The Big Feast By Jack Tingley, Special To PubClub.com Thanksgiving is one of the biggest days for drinking wine in America. The problem is knowing what to bring, serve and drink because we don't eat Thanksgiving foods very often – sometimes only once a year. But not to fear, here's several suggestions for pairing wines with Thanksgiving … [Read more...]
Lifevine Zero Sugar Wines Are Full Of Flavor: A Tasting Review
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine Blogger If the thought of drinking a zero-sugar wine makes you whine, then wind down with a glass from Lifevine Wines. Because you will probably wind up having two glasses. Or three. This is due to the fact that Lifevine doesn't taste like you might expect a zero-sugar wine. to taste. In fact, you won't even be aware of it until you … [Read more...]
Awards Show Season Gets Underway With Hollywood Creative Alliance’s Astra Film Awards Sponsored By Sommsation Wines
The 2024 awards season got underway Saturday night at the historic Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles with the latest edition of the HOLLYWOOD CREATIVE ALLIANCE ASTRA FILM AWARDS, sponsored by Sommsation Wines, who provided sommelier-curated wine tastings and wine pairings with dinner and gifted winners and honorees with selected wines and accessories in a luxe bamboo gift … [Read more...]
2024 World of Pinot Noir Santa Barbara Dates, Tickets & Events
With more than 200 participating wineries, the World of Pinot Noir (WOPN) is the largest celebration of Pinot Noir on the planet. Here are the dates, location, events and ticket information for the 2024 event. It is returning to the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, CA, from Feb. 29 – March 2. It featues more than 20 events and experiences, including not one but two … [Read more...]
Great Wine Tips For Attending Holiday Parties
You're going to a holiday party and you all like wine, so naturally you want to take and drink wine at it. But this isn't quite the slam dunk it seems like, particularly if you are at a party with people you don't know that well – hey, gotta make a good impression! – or those who are more wine savvy than yourself. Well, not to worry, because PubClub.com has these great … [Read more...]
A Wine & Food Pairing With The Sonoma County Wine Growers
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine Blogger When one thinks of "California wine country," Napa immediatley comes to mind. That's due in part to its close proxmity to San Francisco (about an hour) and the many wine tours that are available from there for tourists. Yet there is another wine country that is actually a bit … [Read more...]
Here’s A Cheers To Fred Franzia, The Man Who Gave Us Two Buck Chuck
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine Blogger You may not know his name – not immediately, maybe, but keep reading – but you sure know his contribution to wine lovers. He created the $1.99 Charles Shaw wines sold at Trader Joes. His name is Fred Franzia and he passed away in September. He was 79. His signature … [Read more...]
September Is California Wine Month And Here’s How To Celebrate
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); September is California Wine Month and there are several opportunities to raise a glass or two to mark the occasion. California Wine Month celebrates the annual harvest season and there are festivities that include immersive harvest experiences to special wine tastings to wine festivals, along with suggestions for ways to … [Read more...]
Paso Robles Wine Tasting Tour Coming To San Diego On June 23
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Paso Robles is a town surrounded by an extensive wine country in the rolling golden hills of Central California. It is well known by wine aficionados for its Pinot noirs and other varietals. It is a five-hour drive from San Diego or you could take Amtrak and arrive in about seven. Now, tho, there are direct flights from San … [Read more...]
California Wine Festival Carlsbad Has Wines, Spirits, Beer & Even Food – A Review
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine Blogger Got wine? They sure do at the California Wine Festival. Along with spirits, beers, a band and even food. Yes, there's food at a wine festival (not a food and wine festival) with food trucks and vendors offering samples even to GA ticket holders. The VIP section is like a … [Read more...]
California Wine Festival To Hold Event In Carlsbad May 20-21
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The California Wine Festival sets its roots in Carlsbad on Friday and Saturday, May 20 and 21. It will be held at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, which is just north of Batiquitos Lagoon, a beautiful setting to be sure, certainly for an upscale (but casual) wine festival. The events features sample pours from winemaking … [Read more...]
Michigan Wineries Win Multiple Medals At The TEXSOM International Wine Competition
Traverse Wine Coast Uncorks Some Of Its Finest Wines By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Nightlife Blogger Michigan is more than a football, basketball and auto manufacturing state. In fact, it's fast becoming a wine state, as proven at the TEXSOM International Wine Competition where Michigan wineries won 69 medals representing 17 wineries from the Traverse Wine … [Read more...]
Winemakers Optimistic About A Banner Year For Michigan Wines
Traverse City Wine Coast Vintners Exited About 2020 Vintage With bottling of wines coming up, vintners at Traverse Wine Coast feel wines from the the 2020 vintage could be very good. good one. Maybe great. "We're feeling optimistic about the wines in general, both for whites and reds," said Lee Lutes, Black Star Farms winemaker. We're seeing wine quality that … [Read more...]
These Michigan Wineries Are Welcoming Travelers For Wine Tasting
Socially-Distanced Wine Travel Destinations In The Wolverine State When making travel plans to go wine tasting, it's pretty unlikely you will say "hey, let's go to Michigan!" But these wineries in the state's southwestern wine country near Lake Michigan are ready to welcome travelers to try their wines, food and even craft beers and local spirits. Below what you … [Read more...]
Formula 1 Drivers To Celebrate Wins With Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wine
F1 Winners To Toast Success With This Italian Brand On The Podium Ferrari Trento, the three-time winner of the "Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year" at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships, is now the official sparkling wine of the Formula 1 racing series. That means when the top three drivers of races step to the podium for the traditional … [Read more...]
How And Where To Find Good Wines For Less Than $5 For Stay-Home Drinking
Tips On Shopping For Wine, Red Vs. White & Recognizing A Cheap Wine From A Bargain By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine Blogger I don't know about you, but I don't really want to spend a lot of money on wines when I'm at home and by myself. And in this COVID-19 era, I'm at home and by myself a lot these days. As such, in order to add a little "excitement" … [Read more...]
Paso Robles Winery Rabble Wines Acquired By O’Neill Vintners and Distillers
Fast-Growing Wine Company Seeks To Appeal To Young Drinkers Rabble Wines has been a hit with young wine drinkers, in large part because of its highly creative augmented reality (AR) labels. That appealed to O'Neill Vintners and Distillers, which has purchased the Paso Robles winery. Details of the transaction were not released. "The acquisition signals … [Read more...]
New Wine App Allows You To Scan & Learn About The Wines You Are Buying
Winerytale Provides Customers With Information From Wineries Directly On The Bottle When you're in the wine section of a store, do you ever wonder if that bottle you're looking at is any good? Do you think that while it looks interesting you wish new more about it and the winery that makes it? Well, with the Winerytale app, you can do that because you just hold it … [Read more...]
Here Are The World’s 30 Best Wines According To The International Wine Challenge
This Red From Portugal Wins The Top Prize From A Panel Of Professional Tasters The world's 30 best wines for 2020 have been awarded at the International Wine Challenge, the planet's most influential and rigorously-judged wine competition. The wines were judged by 90 wine tasters from around the world and a selection from Portugal was the overall winner, taking the … [Read more...]
Napa Valley Gets A Brandy-Only Tasting Room, California Brandy House
Tasting Of Luxury California Brandies In Downtown Napa You may think of Napa Valley as a place to go wine tasting, but it is now a place for brandy tasting, too. California Brandy House is the first stand-alone tasting room dedicated solely to luxury California brandies. Located in downtown Napa at First Street Napa, it initially showcases two leading brandy … [Read more...]
Pennsylvania Winery Releases Sh!tshow Wine To Reflect 2020
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Red Blend A Great Marketing Move By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine Editor Published Oct. 27, 2020 Sometimes, wine is more than about flavor. It's about marketing and a Pennsylvania winery has uncorked a perfect campaign by releasing a wine that reflects the year that is 2020. It is called Sh!tshow. "It was actually the idea … [Read more...]
Whitehall Lane Winery Releases New Wines With Help From UC-Davis
Camminare Noir and Paseante Noir Wines Use New Sustainable Grape Varieties Whitehall Lane Winery in Napa Valley has released two new wines, a Camminare Noir and Paseante Noir, with the help of UC Davis University. The family-owned winery got together with Dr. Andrew Walker of UC Davis as well as Dr. Paul Skinner of Vineyard Investigations in Napa Valley, to … [Read more...]
Downtown Napa Gets A New Wine Tasting Room, Quilt & Co.
A Lounge-Type Setting From Local Winemaker Joseph Wagner By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine Editor Published on Aug. 28 One may think downtown Napa needs another wine tasting room the way Tom Brady needs another Super Bowl ring, but Joseph Wagner doesn't see it that way. The fifth-generation winemaker and Napa native is opening Quilt & Co., which features … [Read more...]
Trader Joe’s Two Buck Chuck Is Back To Two Bucks (In California)
Iconic Wine Is Again Just $1.99 A Bottle By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine & Spirits Blogger Two Buck Chuck, the iconic wine and signature item of the Trader Joe's affordable gourmet grocery store, is back to costing two bucks. In California, anyway. Charles Shaw wine pretty much carried the Trader Joe's brand on its back until people realized the … [Read more...]
Get Ready For Great Deals On California Wines
A 'Grape Glut' Is Good News For Wine Lovers By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine & Spirits Blogger The great "grape glut" has hit the Golden State again with supply outpacing demand, and that means to get ready for cheaper California wines. According to the industry newsletter from the Allied Grape Growers (AGG), as much as 10% of the "grape crush" was left on … [Read more...]
It’s Wine Harvest Season In Temecula; Here’s The Top Events
Grape Stomping & Music In Southern California's Wine Country October is Rocktober for many people with Oktoberfest and Halloween. But it's also harvest time for grapes and in the Southern California wine country of Temecula Valley that's cause for celebration. Below are events that will have you stomping not only grapes but to music and drinking wine. • Sit, Somp … [Read more...]
37th Annual Santa Barbara Vintners Festival Features 70 Local Wineries
Wines Pair With Restaurants & Live Music In A Sensational Setting If you have been curious about the wines from the Santa Barbara wineries but have not had the chance to make it up to this gorgeous and cozy Southern California city, then the Santa Barbara Vintners Festival is exactly what you need. The 37th annual event takes place with the Grand Tasting on … [Read more...]
These Are My Favorite Trader Joe’s Inexpensive And Great Wines (For Now)
How I Find Fantastic Red Cabs From Napa, Sonoma & Chile As Cheap As $3.49 By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine Blogger The past several months, I've become somewhat of an expert at finding inexpensive – but very good – wines at Trader Joe's. It started when I was in walked into the TJs in Monterey CA. I was staying on my friend's boat and had a few … [Read more...]
Just The Wine Reduces Sulfates In Wine – But Does It Work? A Review
Product Testing For Wines, Champagne And Beers By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine Blogger After years of being a Chardonnay-exclusive wine drinker, I've started drinking mostly reds lately. Part of this is budget – you can get a quality red wine for about half the price of a decent chardonnay – and part is the fact that here in California it can be difficult to … [Read more...]
Virginia is for (Wine) Lovers: A Central Virginia Winery Crawl
Three Top Wineries To Visit In This Scenic Southern State By C. Benjamin Lovell, Special To PubClub.com Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather, and a little music played out of doors by somebody I do not know.’ – John Keats While English Romantic poet John Keats never had a chance to enjoy the idyllic winding roads and pastoral hills of Virginia’s wine … [Read more...]
Travel Blogger Daily Blog: Wine-Ing But Not Whining, While Tasting Monterey County Wines
Wineries Have Created A California Culture South Of Napa And Sonoma By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger It's getting to the point now where you can't walk out the door in Monterey County, CA, without someone sticking glass of wine in your hand. The region is that proud of the wines produced in its many wineries. The locals will talk passionately … [Read more...]
Georgo’s Wine Makes Good Greek Wines – A Blogger’s Review
A Blend Of Grapes From Greece And Sonoma County Winemaking By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine Blogger When I was a youngster, our Greek neighbors called all us kids over to their house to do something that sounded like would get us in a lot of trouble with our parents. So we immediately raced over there, of course. They wanted to use us to stomp grapes for wine … [Read more...]
Carmel Winery Giving A Free Tasting For Wine Country Fires Donations
Dawn's Dream Collecting Items To Help Victims In Santa Rosa By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Blogger Carmel winery Dawn's Dream is raising a hand – and you can raise a glass – to help victims of the California wine country fires that have destroyed part of Napa Valley, Somoma County and the town of Santa Rosa. It is offering a free wine tasting at its … [Read more...]
Two Buck Chuck Celebrates 15 Years At Trader Joe’s Stores
Nearly A Billion Bottles Or Charles Shaw Wines Have Been Sold At TJs It is an icon, a symbol of great value and the signature item of a speciality food store. Two Buck Chuck, the venerable cheap wine that's good enough to drink and even brag about and use at house parties, turned 15 in 2017. Introduced by Trader Joe's in 2012 it's become one of the most popular wines of … [Read more...]
The $28,000 Bottle Of Wine (And We’re Not Kidding!)
Wally's Beverly Hills Has A High-Priced Wine Cellar You Won't Believe That Includes The Coveted Chevel Blanc By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Blogger If you are one, like me, to dream of the occasional extravagant lifestyle, where money is never a consideration for anything you do or anything you buy, then step inside this place with me in one of the richest places on … [Read more...]
What’s In Your Glass For National Wine Day May 25 – Top Tips For Celebrating
National Wine Day is May 25 so what are you drinking that day and where are you drinking it – at home, at a bar, restaurant or perhaps a winery? If it helps you to decide, May 25 in 2023 is on a Thursday, which the thirsty people on social media know as #ThirstyThursday. No doubt it will be a widely-used hashtag that day. National Wine Day is a day to fill your glass, to … [Read more...]
Since When Did Two Buck Chuck Become Three Buck Chuck?
Trader Joe's Beloved Wines Now $2.99, Even In California By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Wine Blogger Did I miss the announcement? When Two Buck Chuck increased its price from its long-standing original price of $2 to $2.50 a few years ago, it made national news. But when did it go up to three dollars!? I just discovered this the other day while in Trader … [Read more...]
Top Twitter Wine Chats For Wine Lovers & Bloggers
Calling All #WineLovers For Meeting On Social Media If you like wine and like talking about it – or, rather, Tweeting about it – then check out these chats that are specific to wines and wine lovers. They are Twitter chats and each week they focus on different aspects of wine. The participants are wine lovers, bloggers and wine industry pros. So they are a great way to … [Read more...]
Dutton-Goldfield Winery Saturday Vineyard Stroll 2016 Dates
Tastings & Lunch In California's Russian River Wine Country Dutton-Goldfield Winery in California's Russian River wine country – known primarily for its Pinot Noirs – has released the 2016 dates for its Saturday Vineyard Stroll. The dates are: • June 11 • July 23 • Aug. 27 • Sept. 10 • Sept. 24 The strolls take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The cost is $65 ($50 … [Read more...]
From #BeerLover To #WineLover; I Blame Monterey & Carmel
Wine Tasting Rooms Part Of The Drinking Conversion There was no defining moment when it happened, no sudden realization that struck me like getting conked in the head by an errant champagne cork or having a thought-provoking incident. Rather, it's been a gradual thing, like slow-moving buzz that starts tingling the toes and eventually makes its way up the veins to … [Read more...]
Why It’s Okay For Men To Drink Rose Wines
New #WineLover Gets An Education From Holman Ranch Winery The second thing that Carla, a friend giving me my initial wine education, said to me was "don't ever drink rose in public." Her point was that rose, being a blend of red and white grapes, was a clear indication to girls that a guy drinking it was not a good decision maker. And girls like take-charge, confident … [Read more...]
How El Nino Is Affecting California Wine Production & Quality
Holman Ranch Winemaker Predicts A Good Year For Wines El Nino has been great for the ski resorts – Mammoth has had more than 250 inches of snow as of early March – but what affect is it having on California's wine country, wine production and wine quality? Greg Vita, winemaker at Holman Ranch winery in Carmel Valley, said that if certain conditions occur, this could be … [Read more...]
Wine Room Added To Coppola Resorts Turtle Inn Belize
#WineLovers Have A Place To Drink In The Tropics When in Belize, you may be drinking rum and beer because of the tropical environment. Unless you are at the Turtle Inn. That's a Family Coppola Resort and since Francis Ford Coppola has two wineries in Sonoma County, CA, this is a fine place for wine and wine lovers. And now, the Turtle Inn has added a wine room. It features … [Read more...]
Champagne Is Good For The Brain, Study Says
Bubbly Buzzing On Social Media; Can Help Memory Here's something to celebrate: Champagne is good for the brain. That's what a study in England said, and it's got social media, well buzzed. The study – which was actually conducted in 2013 – says the bubbly may help prevent forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease and help with people's memory. It was conducted by … [Read more...]
Holman Ranch Winery Offers Free 1-Year Wine Club
Holiday Gift Cards For Carmel Valley Tasting Room Membership Holman Ranch winery, located in Carmel Valley, CA, is in the spirit of the holiday season. It is giving away a one-year membership to its Estate Club. Those who purchase a wine club as a holiday gift will be entered into a drawing for the complimentary membership. The winner will be drawn on Dec. 23. Holman Ranch … [Read more...]
A Guide To California Wineries And Wine Tasting Rooms
To experience wine tasting in California, you no longer have to go to the wineries. Instead, a number of wineries have opened tasting rooms in smaller cities and towns, and that is something that gets a big "cheers" from PubClub.com. The cool thing is that it's not just one tasting room, but several. So you can bounce around to four, five or, in the case of Santa Barbara and … [Read more...]
The Changing Attitudes About Pairing Wines With Food
White Wine With Fish And Reds With Meat Not A Drinking Rule There's a long-standing philosophy that says "white wine with fish, red wine with meat." The theory has been white wine paring with fish, chicken and turkey, while red wines were better suited for dark meats; steak, ribs, etc. But in reality, that's not the case; it was more about matching colors than … [Read more...]
The Nightlife Blogger: A Single Guy’s Guide To Meeting Women At Wine Festivals
Why Wine Festivals Are Surprisingly Great Places To Meet Girls Wine festivals can intimidate men who don't drink a lot of wine. They shouldn't. I've attended enough of them to discover they're not only fun, they're among the easiest places for single guys to meet women – IF you know how to propery approach them. Here's what I've learned. Most guys think wine festivals … [Read more...]
Super Bowl 50 San Francisco Names Sonoma County Official Wines
Wine Lounge To Be Part Of Fans Village Sonoma County, not Napa Valley, has been awarded the title of Official Wine Supplier of the 2016 Super Bowl 50, taking place in the San Francisco Bay Area Feb. 7 of that year. With so many wine areas to choose from – including Monterey to the south and Mendocino to the north – it's a win-wine situation for the Super Bowl and fans. This … [Read more...]
September Is California Wine Month, A Fine Time For #WineLovers
Wineries, Tasting Rooms & Events Highlight Harvest Season In the eyes of some, every month in wine month in California. After all, the state has several wine growing regions – Napa, Sonoma, emerging areas in Monterey and Paso Robles, as well as Santa Barbara, Temecula and even Malibu in Southern California – and has thousands of wineries. But the Golden State's … [Read more...]
Gettysburg Has Not Only Civil War History But Wineries & Wine Events
A Guide To Events, Tastings & Wineries At An Historic U.S. Destination One of the most historical cities in the United States may be best known for a famous Civil War battle, but things are much more civil these days. In fact, Gettysburg, PA, is a place where you can go on scenic drives, walks or bike rides through its vast apple, peach, apricot and pear trees, … [Read more...]
CellarPass Your Ticket To California Wine Events & Tasting Rooms
Putting A Cork On The Worries Of Visiting Wineries Wine is a drink for relaxation, but it's easy to have an anxiety attack when you're trying to get tickets to a wine festival and even wine tasting rooms at popular wineries. But with a website called CellarPass, you can put a cork on the worries, as it is a tasting room and food and wine events search and reservation … [Read more...]
#WineWedneday Hashtag A Good Excuse For Midweek #WineLovers
I'll Drink (Wine) To This Weekly Social Media 'Holiday' Sometimes, I get the feeling that certain social media hashtags were created not because there is something important to share, but as an excuse to justify behavior that normally would seem a bit off kilter. Or, in the case of #WineWednesday, a midweek celebration of wine when such a thing is usually reserved … [Read more...]
A Night Of Luxury At Vendange, Carmel’s Wine-Themed Hotel
Savoring Unique Accommodations In Monterey Bay, CA Wine and Carmel, CA, go together like golf and Pebble Beach. But to put them together in a hotel? A themed hotel? In Carmel!? What a brilliant idea! That's what the owners of Vendange Inn & Suites have done and much to their credit the execution is as grand as the idea. I can tell you this because I've had a … [Read more...]
It’s Party Time At An Australian Wine Festival
A Day On The Green At Siromet Winery In Brisbane More Like A Music Festival I'm going to a wine festival today. In Australia! And this is not just any wine festival, it's a rock concert with wine. There are several local bands playing, the event takes place in a big field. It goes from 3-10 p.m. It's called A Day On The Green at it takes place Siromet Winery In … [Read more...]
Galante Is My Favorite Tasting Room On The Carmel Wine Walk
Good Wines Combine With Friendly Conversation In This California Gem Of all the fine wine tasting rooms as part of the Carmel Wine Walk, Galante is my favorite. That's because the hostess, Jenna, is lively and lovely, mildly sassy, loves Jimmy Buffett, will have wine herself with you, breaks out cheese and crackers and doesn't mind giving you an extra pour if you are … [Read more...]
Wine Tasting In The South Bay Goes From Bottle Inn To Baleen To FishBar
A Tasting By The Beach, Half-Priced Wines By The Harbor And Reverse Happy Hour I went on a wine tasting tour recently in California. It was not in Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Santa Ynez Valley or even Monterey or Mendocino County. Instead, it was a tour of my own design and right here where I live, in the South Bay Beach Cities of Los Angeles. Inspired by a Tweet … [Read more...]
Beer vs. Wine: When To Choose Which One To Drink
Beer Is For Partying While Wine Is For Reflecting Beer and wine, two great things in life to be sure. But beer verses wine? I love them both, but sometimes I feel like having a beer and at other times I prefer to be drinking wine. So what determines which will be quenching my thirst's desire? Well, it's really a mood thing. When I'm in the wild whoop-it-up … [Read more...]
Corks And Oak Barrels Are Things I’m Learning About Drinking Wine
This Beer Drinker's Palate Is Starting To Adapting To Vino I'm a beer drinker who is learning about wine. And two things I have learned of late have nothing to do with what I know about the taste and quality of beers. Oh, these wines are indeed so complex! One has to do with corks. And the other is the oak barrels in which the wine is stored. One I inquired about and the … [Read more...]
Tennessee Votes Down Wine In Grocery Stores By One Vote
A Rocky Failure For Rocky Top's Arcane State Liquor Laws My first reaction when I learned that Tennessee – my home state – had failed by one vote a provision that could have allowed wine to be sold in grocery stores was "why are they still living in the 1800s!?" Then I saw that the one vote that was expected to have put it over the top came from a representative from … [Read more...]
Catalina Express Ferry San Pedro Terminal Is A Nice Launching Point To Catalina
Catalina Express, the company that runs the ferries from Southern California ports to Catalina Island, has a very nice terminal building in San Pedro.. The Catalina Express terminal is beautiful. The building is clean and bright and gives a nod to Catalina's transportation past with a small replica of a seaplane hanging from the ceiling, But it's the patio that's the … [Read more...]
Exploring Switzerland’s Lavaux Wine Region by Train, Boat and Fine Wines
Traveling Switzerland In A Day: Trains, Boats, Wine Tasting And A Rod Stewart Look-Alike Piano Player Most visitors come to Switzerland for the Alps. I found one of its greatest pleasures beside Lake Geneva, where trains, boats and hillside vineyards combine to create one of Europe's most scenic wine regions. My last day in Switzerland was a whirlwind. It was one … [Read more...]