Author: Nancy (CSW)

Photo of a bottle and glass of 2025 Hans Rottensteiner Schiava, Südtirol-Alto Adige DOC with wooden chairs and trees in the background

Hans Rottensteiner Schiava—Chill it or Not

Trentino-Alto Adige is Italy’s most northern wine region, situated along Italy’s border with Austria, and Alto Adige is the northernmost part of Trentino-Alto Adige. Today we are tasting Schiava, a red grape variety, made in Alto Adige. We received this wine as a tasting sample. Alto Adige, which used to be part of Austria, is also known as Südtirol and […]

Photo of a bottle of 2025 Cà dei Frati I Frati, Lugana DOC on a table with trees in the background

An Introduction to Lugana with a Glass of Turbiana

Lugana DOC is a small wine region situated along the southern shore of Lake Garda, in Northern Italy. And while the region lies between the provinces of Brescia and Verona, and sits astride two wine regions, Lombardy and Veneto, it is firmly committed to just one grape variety: Turbiana. If you are a curious wine drinker looking for a taste […]

Photo of FitVine Free Sparkling White, Sparkling Rosé and Power Red bottles on a table

FitVine Free: Non-Alcoholic Wine Alternative

Every tasting sample we receive is an opportunity to learn about grape varieties, wine regions and winemaking techniques. In the case of FitVine Free we had the opportunity to taste and learn about “functional, non-alcoholic wine…infused with electrolytes, fresh fruit, and adaptogens…” I was just curious enough about the functional, non-alcoholic wine and adaptogens aspects to give them a taste, […]

Photo of three bottles of Rías Baixas Albariño on a table with wooden chairs and trees in the background

Chill with a Glass of Rías Baixas Albariño

If the summer heat has yet to arrive where you live in the Northern Hemisphere, it will likely make an appearance soon. Our local forecast is predicting triple-digit temperatures by the end of the week. I’m not looking forward to it, but I do know how to keep my cool in the heat — with a glass of Rías Baixas […]

Photo of Robert Hall ROC® Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon wine bottles on a table with plants in the background

Regenerative in the Glass: Robert Hall’s First ROC® Wines

The two wines we are tasting today are the first made by Robert Hall Winery to earn the Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC®) designation. Both wines are available exclusively at Whole Foods. We received these wines as tasting samples.   Robert Hall Winery’s journey to Regenerative Organic Certification began in 2021 with a 48-acre block of vines surrounding the winery in […]

Featured photo of Villa Sandi Proseccos (Treviso Prosecco DOC and Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG on a table with trees in the background

Villa Sandi Prosecco: Sparkling Wine for Everyday Enjoyment

There is much to like about Prosecco — it’s easy drinking, low in alcohol, affordable and it sparkles. Its affordability makes it practical for everyday occasions and you needn’t feel guilty using it to make a mimosa or other cocktail — that’s how it’s meant to be enjoyed. Today we’re tasting two examples made by Villa Sandi, provided as tasting […]

Photo of 2022 Smith-Madrone Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley wine bottle and glass of wine on a table with trees and a fountain in the background

2022 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon: Cabernet for a Special Birthday

On May 15, Stu and Charlie Smith, along with François Bugué, the Smiths’ associate winemaker, celebrated Smith-Madrone Vineyard & Winery’s 55th birthday. The celebration marked Stu’s signing of the paperwork in 1971 to acquire the Spring Mountain property that is home to Smith-Madrone’s vineyards and winery. Stu and Charlie started planting the vineyard the next year and their first vintage was […]

Photo of a bottle and glass of 2025 Peter Zemmer Vernatsch-Schiava, Südtirol-Alto Adige DOC wine with flowers in the background

Peter Zemmer Schiava: A Red Wine to Sip Chilled

We may not have quite reached the summer equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, but summer weather is definitely here. We’ve just returned from the Midwest where the temperatures were in the 70s and 80s with similar humidity. The landscape was beautiful and green, but that humidity was not very pleasant. We’re now back to the dry heat we are used […]

Photo of three bottles of wine, Champagne Mandois Bruit Origine, Domaine Tariquet Classic, Joseph Mellot Clos du Pressoir, on a table with flowers in the background

Three French Wine Regions, Three Distinctive White Wines

Today we’re sipping wines made in three French wine regions. All are white wines with relatively low alcohol but very different flavor profiles. And, as you might expect from French wines, all are made to enjoy with food. Our tasting begins in Champagne before moving to the South West France and ends in the Loire Valley. Champagne everyone will recognize, […]

Photo of 2024 Maison Lorgeril Ô de Rosé, Languedoc wine bottle and stemless wine glass on a table with a chair and bench in background

There’s No Better Time Than Now for Pink Wine

Rosé is welcome in my glass regardless of the season, but, in springtime a gorgeous rosé reflects the color and vibrance of the season especially well. And just as I have an equal appreciation for both vibrant and delicate colors in our garden, I appreciate rosés of every shade. Today we are sipping a Languedoc rosé that is as perfumed […]