Author: Nancy (CSW)

Valentina and Gian Franco

nonna urban eatery: Delicious Dining in Old Town Scottsdale

One of the first things we do when planning a trip to another city, even if it is a location we travel to frequently, is search for new restaurants. Eating good food and drinking good wine is important to us, especially when we travel and cannot cook for ourselves or reach into our own wine cellar. If we find a […]

Zinfandel Day featured photo

A Celebration of Lodi Zinfandel on #ZinDay

Today’s the day. National Zinfandel Day. #ZinDay takes place every year on the third Wednesday in November and we are happy to celebrate Zinfandel today with two wines we received as tasting samples. Both wines are made from very old vine Zinfandel in the Mokelumne River sub-AVA of the Lodi AVA. The wines are made in two very different styles, […]

Mercer Wines and Thanksgiving Pairing

Celebrating Thanksgiving and Mercer Wine Estates #winePW

The theme for this month’s Wine Pairing Weekend is American Wine for an American Holiday. Thanksgiving is fast approaching and it is just about my favorite holiday, so I’m happy to put together a paring around a Thanksgiving theme. This will be a paired-down pairing with three wines made by the Mercer family from Washington state. The Mercers were kind […]

Lizzie James Vineyard featured photo

Walking & Sipping Wine Among Lodi’s Old Vines

Age is a tricky thing, even for a grapevine. There is no universally agreed upon definition of old for a vineyard. To be listed among California’s historic vineyards by the Historic Vineyard Society a vineyard must have been planted in 1960 or before, be in production currently as a wine vineyard and at least 1/3 of the vineyard must be […]

Vermut Lustau featured photo

Vermut Lustau: Sherry Vermouth You Must Try

Josh placed a small wine glass containing a generous taste of a chestnut-colored liquid on our table and stood back. This was a surprise, we hadn’t ordered another wine. After a pause, Josh said, “Taste this. If you can tell me what it is, I will buy your dessert.” Pete and I looked at each other and smiled. We had […]

Bervini 1955 featured photo

Bervini 1955 Prosecco & Rosé Spumante

Bubbles. Who doesn’t love them? The lively effervesce that comes with a sparkling wine is an excellent way to introduce a bit of variety into your wine enjoyment. And, in general they’re very versatile food partners. We recently had the opportunity to taste two sparkling wines, which we received as tasting samples, made by Bervini 1955. The winery is located […]

MerlotMe wines

A Month of Merlot Meals #MerlotMe

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 […]

AR Lenoble Champagne dinner

Champagne AR Lenoble Jordan Cuvée and Potato Gratin

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 […]

Old Town Scottsdale

On the Scottsdale Wine Trail

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, […]

Duckhorn featured photo

A Fall Pairing for Duckhorn Merlot #MerlotMe #winePW

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 […]