If it’s October, then it’s time to celebrate Merlot. For the past five years the Merlot Movement has gained momentum with Merlot tastings and social media sharing during October using the hashtag #MerlotMe across social media platforms. The effort is supported by a group of California and Washington state wineries who have declared October International Merlot Month. You will find […]
I need absolutely no excuse to enjoy a glass of Champagne. Like almost every other wine lover I know, I closely associate Champagne with celebrations. In fact, the last time I enjoyed a bottle of Champagne was on our wedding anniversary in August. But, I also love Champagne with a meal. And Champagne can make the occasion just as easily […]
We visit Scottsdale for the desert. We find the desert beautiful, even during the summer when it is at its hottest and driest. A short 20 to 30-minute drive will take you to a surprising number of desert trails where you will be away from the traffic of a large city, though it is often visible off in the distance, […]
If it’s October, then it’s time to celebrate Merlot. For the past five years the Merlot Movement has gained momentum with Merlot tastings and social media sharing during October using the hashtag #MerlotMe across social media platforms. The effort is supported by a group of California and Washington state wineries who have declared October International Merlot Month. You will find […]
My experience tasting wines made in the U.S. state of Virginia is very limited. I first tasted Virginia wines at the Wine Bloggers Conference (WBC) we attended in Portland several years ago. It was our first WBC and I was overwhelmed by the variety (and sheer number) of wines we tasted during the event, not to mention the number of […]
It was the Instagram image below, shared by Heritage Oak Winery, that prompted me to email Tom Hoffman. Tom is the winemaker at Heritage Oak Winery which he owns and operates with his wife Carmela. They farm 106 acres of vineyards planted to 25 varieties along the north bank of the Mokelumne River in the Lodi’s Mokelumne River AVA. The […]
As you can tell by the hashtag in the title of this post, it’s time for another wine day celebration. This time Grenache has its day in the spotlight and this year’s #GrenacheDay celebration made me aware of just how often Grenache is in our glass. By looking back at the wines we have enjoyed over the summer I found […]
It’s that time of year. The grape harvest has started throughout California and as winemakers contemplate picking decisions and organize crews to harvest the grapes we, as wine lovers, are free to sit back, anticipate another vintage and wonder how the growing season will translate in the bottle. The grape harvest also signals that it is time for Harvest Lunches […]
When it comes to identifying a grape variety by the aromas that waft from a glass of wine I am not the most proficient. I am always willing to give it the old college try but, in all honesty, there are only a few varieties I can reliably identify blind. Sauvignon Blanc is at the top of the list. Admittedly, […]
The Thursday before Labor Day has been designated #CabernetDay since 2010. It’s another of those wine days created to highlight a specific grape variety. In this case, according to my interpretation at least, we are free to celebrate with any of the grape varieties that have Cabernet in the name. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, of course, come to mind […]
We enjoy wine, food and travel. Pull That Cork is a chronicle of our wine adventures, the food and wine pairings we create and our travels which are increasingly organized around wine.
