Author: SAHMmelier

Being a stay- at-home mom can leave one thirsting for a taste of the outside world, a world in which sentences are composed of more than three words. Being an educator means one is always seeking an opportunity to explore and learn. Being a woman with a need to connect can be a challenge when adult conversations are rare. In wine, I find the marriage of art and science, agriculture and storytelling provides limitless areas to explore. But it is the people that keep me engaged. The tenacity needed to keep the family dream alive, the risk to start anew, the trials and principles. I love the history of the vine, the impact of a season, the sentiment in the bottle. That is why I write. I write to tell their stories, to share a piece of mine. I write to learn as I teach others. I write to connect with new friends, to disconnect from the world. I write to celebrate what makes each of us unique, and that which ties us together.

SAHM Taste and Play-Dreaming Tree

January 27, 2012.Reading time 2 minutes.

The Inaugural SAHM Taste and Play was a blast! Five SAHMs, ten kiddos, one fabulous sister, and Dave Matthews. Well, his wine and music. That is as close as we will probably ever get to Mr. Fabulous. And, as usual, he did not disappoint. We tasted both the Dreaming Tree Crush and the Cabernet Sauvignon. […]

The Inaugural SAHMmelier Play and Taste Party starts tomorrow!

January 25, 2012.Reading time 2 minutes.

A few days ago, a friend (we’ll call her “Mama K)” posted on my Facebook page about wanting to taste the Dreaming Tree wines. If you missed the post, Dreaming Tree is the collaborative effort of Mr. Dave “Yummy” Matthews and Sonoma winemaker, Steve Reeder. Mama K said that if his wine was anywhere near as […]

Trends, Schmends-I never gave up on you, Merlot

January 21, 2012.Reading time 2 minutes.

I’ll admit it. I have fallen victim to many a trend, especially in my 20s. The wishy-washy years where you virtually swing from trend to trend. If I could have all of the money back that I spent on clothes worn once, I could have a lovely wine “closet.” (Yes, no cellar for this Texan, […]

Hip, Hip, Rosé!

January 14, 2012.Reading time 2 minutes.

This week has left me pummeled by the cedar pollen. My taste buds are crying for some relief. Fortunately, I did get one good wine-tasting in before my ability to discern anything took a dive. Thanks to the fine folks of Central Market for showcasing a lovely little Rosé on Wednesday-Chateau L’Ermitage. Priced at around […]

Let’s Get it Started

January 10, 2012.Reading time 4 minutes.

This past weekend, I started 2012 off right. By “right,” I mean with two fabulous women at a winery on a warm winter day. We ventured out to Driftwood Winery to get some quality time and take a moment to sit back and catch our collective breath after the chaos of the holidays. If you […]

My Christmas List

December 8, 2011.Reading time 1 minute.

Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, this is worth the read. Our family has never put a big emphasis on gifts, even less as we got older. We wanted to avoid the stress of the mall, the “I have to find SOMETHING” wastes of money, the financial burden. But maybe, we still were getting it wrong. […]

Monday Wines-A Spanish Treasure

November 21, 2011.Reading time 1 minute.

Tonight’s scramble of a dinner turned into a tasty meal with the help of a delightful wine-The Spanish Quarter has a Chardonnay-Albarino blend that paired really well with my play on Chicken Piccata. Bright and fruity, floral and round, it was a good balance with the dish. I had to come up with something quick, since […]

The Top 100 Wines of 2011 | Wine Spectator

November 18, 2011.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Wine Spectator is giving free access to their website through November 27th. Check out the favorites and browse at your leisure (huh? what is that?) The Top 100 Wines of 2011 | Wine Spectator.

Gobble, Gobble, Gewurztraminer

November 15, 2011.Reading time 1 minute.

Turkey Day is almost upon us! I think you could go in several directions for pairing your gobbler and your goblet, but one particular favorite is a dry Gewurztraminer. Gundlach Bundschu has a FABULOUS one. Here is the description in Wine Enthusiast: “A very nice example of a dry Gewurtz. Name an exotic spice, and you’ll find it […]