When reviewing a wine, I like to come to it with a clear palate and a clear mind. When I have had sufficient time with the wine, I like to go back and read the winemaker’s notes and the history of the vineyard. Each piece of information paints a picture and build my understanding of the industry, the winemaker, and the wine itself. It also serves as a means for self-examination. Did I pick up on that nuance? Did it remind me of another wine from the same AVA? Do I have a good understanding of how that variety typically shows? And did the pairing I chose work or not with all of this in mind? Then I go back to the wine with this knowledge and continue to learn.
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It was the best of wines, it was the…well, it was another great wine. But I kind of had to start a piece with this title like that, right? I recently requested my first sample. Writing a test piece for an online golf magazine, I wanted to tie into the World Challenge tournament, so I […]
At the end of the year, WordPress sent me a summary of my year. Sort of a year in review for the writer. How many visitors, which posts were the most viewed, et cetera. They invite you to share the information with your readers. At first, I thought, “How Silly. That is like Justin Bieber releasing […]
I could tell you about a few of my picks for the holiday season, and I probably will at some point. But I thought it would be a little more interesting to hear from those who know just a little more about Texas wines than I do. I elicited help from three fabulous Texas wine makers to tell you which […]
There are some evenings that just require a little more self-care than others. After a tough conversation with your boss, the day your dog ate your favorite boots, the Monday after Thanksgiving. Or any day with a three-year old tornado. This evening, I needed a little something extra. So while my husband has my daughter out for […]
There are some wines that invite an immediate image. One sip and you are transplanted, to a memory or an ideal. Robert Mondavi’s 2010 Napa Valley Pinot Noir conjures images of fallen leaves and cashmere sweaters, blackberry brambles and tartan blankets. It is just what I want from a Pinot Noir. Many years ago, I […]
In February, I was first introduced to the fabulous Rieslings in the Finger Lakes region when I visited Lamoreaux Landing. In July, the quality was confirmed with a sampling of eight Rieslings which were sent to me by the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance. Last week, I had the opportunity to, once again, participate in a virtual tasting with eight […]
Earlier in the summer I received two lovely bottles of wine. And I am not just referring to what was in the bottle. Biltmore Wines have created a simple, subtle bottle with an etching of an American icon, the Biltmore House. The appearance is sleek, the blends irresistible. Biltmore Century White is a beautifully balanced […]
In a town where foodies and festivals abound, there are several occasions to wander from sample to sample. I have attended and enjoyed several, but none as much as The Tour de Vin this past Friday at the W Hotel. The Wine and Food Foundation has created an elegant, festive event which features Austin’s best […]
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