Stay at home mom, lover of wine
I do some of my best “writing” in the middle of the night. In those quiet moments, my mind stirs while others sleep. Maybe it is the quiet. Maybe it is the half-conscious mind, free to roam. Tumbling around, thoughts and ideas seem both foggy and clear, vague and precise. I find an angle, a […]
Read MoreWe all know what you’re supposed to do when life hands you lemons. And when life hands you a 40 year old vineyard, you make wine. When Scott and Martha Stinson were looking for a place to retire, they came upon the property which boasts an eighteenth century farmhouse and 12 acres of vines. Scott’s background […]
Read MoreLast fall I was invited to a dinner in Houston hosted by Concha Y Toro to introduce their 2009 flagship wine, Don Melchor. The winemaker, Enrique Tirado, would be hosting the event which included a vertical tasting of the wine. It sounded like a fabulous event, but without much notice, I couldn’t get away. Fortunately for […]
Read MoreI wish you could smell my kitchen right now. Scratch that, I wish you could smell my whole house right now. By now, no matter where you live, you’ve likely heard of Franklin BBQ. If you haven’t seen the press, maybe you’ve seen the Chase credit card commercial. The local joint has reached cult-like status and, in order to […]
Read MoreThere was a time when a meatless meal would be cause for a mini-revolt. But I’ve gotten better at creating delicious, satisfying vegan meals and my husband’s gotten better about not complaining. Less meat is just better for your health and the environment. It’s a win-win. Less is more. There was a time when my day […]
Read MoreOk, so I am doing it. Trying it. Ok, starting it anyway. I eat healthy. I exercise (sometimes more vigorously than others). And I can’t drop the last ten from my now 3-year-old “baby.” My sister has been eating the anti-inflammatory way since she discovered it, for the most part. She was motivated by arthritis […]
Read MoreA few weeks ago I hosted a dinner party to sample some Petite Sirah that I was graciously sent from members of P.S. I Love You. I chose to limit it to six bottles that night for a few reasons. I feel like that is about the max I can evaluate fairly before palate fatigue sets in and I […]
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Last week I had the pleasure of chatting with other wine lovers and professionals about the great wines coming out of the Finger Lakes. We tasted Lemberger, Pinot Noir, and two Russian grapes that were new for me, Sapervi and Sereksiya. I always learn something from the producers and writers, but this year, one 140 […]
Read MoreThey have similar backgrounds and similar goals, so it is not surprising that Simi Winery and Chef Kolin Vazzoler make a great pair. Both from Italian heritage, the winery and Chef Kolin focus on producing high quality wines and foods that are sourced locally. Kolin learned about the culinary arts from his mother and grandmother. Now he teaches others in […]
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SAHMmelier 