Recent Posts

Photo of Thacher Winery Cinsaut Rose and Cinsault on table with garden in the background

Thacher Winery and Vineyards: It Started With A Wedding

When I read the story of how Sherman and Michelle Thacher came to own the property in Paso Robles’ Adelaida District, where they founded their winery, my first thought was how romantic; then I thought how decisive! Many of us may have attended a wedding in a bucolic location and maybe though wistfully about living there, but almost none of […]

Photo of five bottles of Abruzzo wines on a table

A Taste of Abruzzo: Pecorino and Montepulciano

This tasting will not take us to Siena’s picturesque hill town of Montepulciano to sip the region’s Vino Nobile wines, where Sangiovese is the star, nor will it include a taste of Pecorino cheese. Instead, we are heading slightly off the beaten path to Abruzzo, located to the south and on Italy’s east coast, to taste Abruzzo wine made using […]

Photo of Domaine Bousquet Virgen and Gaia wines

A Taste of Domaine Bousquet’s Virgen and Gaia Wines

During an online discussion earlier in the year, Anne Bousquet, co-owner of Domaine Bousquet with her husband Labid Al Ameri, told the assembled group that Domaine Bousquet is the only winery in Argentina whose entire production is certified organic. Their annual production is about 7 million liters, which represents 65% of Argentina’s organic wine export. Domaine Bousquet is located at […]

Photo of seven Domaine Bousquet wines

Domaine Bousquet: Behind the Scenes at Argentina’s Leading Organic Winery

Describing Domaine Bousquet as Argentina’s Leading Organic Winery is a big statement, but once you learn how much the Bousquet family has achieved in the past 25-plus years you will be impressed. After you taste the wines and realize how reasonably priced they are, I think you will agree they are leaders in Argentina, if not the world.  Domaine Bousquet’s […]

Photo of Sovi wine and Athletic Brewing beer paired with Beehive cheese

A Pairing of Cheese and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

I know from lots of experience that cheese and wine are a match made in heaven. Beer and cheese I don’t have much experience pairing because I don’t often drink beer. Until recently I had zero experience pairing cheese and non-alcoholic wine or beer because, to be honest, I had never tried non-alcoholic beer or wine. I know I should […]

Photo of four Avignonesi wines

Understanding Avignonesi: Their Practices, Culture and Single-Vineyard Wines

Avignonesi is situated in the hills of Tuscany on the edge of Montepulciano near Cortona. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is their flagship wine and while they are Sangiovese specialists, and dedicated to the variety, they are also looking to native grape varieties as a hedge against climate change. Their organic and biodynamic practices in the vineyard are carried into the […]

Photo of book "Eastern Promise" by Peter Stafford-Bow

Eastern Promise: Felix Hart Volume 4

Eastern Promise is the fourth book chronicling the adventures of Felix Hart, Minstrel of Wine and global traveler. The action starts right from the first chapter as Felix attends a tasting of older Bordeaux, which quickly becomes chaotic. Felix, of course, always has to be in the middle of it. Little did he know how much this would affect his future. […]

Photo of Aridus Viognier, Syrah, Tempranillo

Aridus: A Name to Know in Arizona Wine

We are continuing our exploration of Arizona wine for one more post, though I cannot promise it will be the last. We are happy to share three current-release wines made by Aridus Wine Company in Willcox, Arizona. We received these wines as tasting samples.  Scott & Joan Dahmer began their journey from wine enthusiasts to winery owners in 2009 with […]

Photo of windmill, pronghorn antelope, cattle and mountains behind the grassland

Wining, Dining and Hiking Around Sonoita and Elgin, Arizona

Sonoita is Arizona’s oldest AVA and was established in 1984. It was the first, but its neighboring and second Arizona AVA, Willcox, produces most of the grapes in Arizona. We first visited Sonoita/Elgin in 2011 and were surprised and charmed by the open grasslands. The high-elevation grasslands sit at about 4800 feet above sea level. The Santa Rita Mountains to […]