A super Syrah! Bramble, black pepper, red fruit aromas followed by a burst of red fruit flavors, earth, iodine and luxurious, fine, but drying tannins. 13% abv. 👍 Dinner wasn’t so bad either: ground turkey sautéed with onion, celery, tomatoes and marjoram over roasted spaghetti squash. Didn’t miss the pasta one bit. Cutting the squash in cross-sections is a bit challenging, but roasting it this way is quicker and gives longer spaghetti than just cutting it in half. I hope you’re sipping something delicious! @jolielaidewines . . . #syrah #syrahlover #northcoastsyrah #sonoma #sonomawine #redwine #redwinelover #winelover #winegeek #winetime #wineoftheday #instawine #tastingnotes #youcansipwithus #californiawine #californiawinelover #foodandwine #wineanddine #winewinewine #vino

Tart red cherries and raspberries, earth, berry brambles. Silky tannins. Weightless. 2015 and so fresh. Make Vivien’s acquaintance. @faillawines . . . #pinotnoir #pinotnoirlover #sonomawine #sonomacoastwine #sonomapinotnoir #sonomawinelover #handsoffwinemaking #winegeek #winefun #winetime #wineoftheday #winelover #youcansipwithus #californiawine #californiawinelover #drinklocal #instawine #instapinotnoir #redwine #coolclimateredwine

Syrah and Mourvèdre play well together in this 50/50 blend with plenty of red fruit, earth and savory notes. Lovely tannins and so sippable. No Grenache needed. As a bonus it’s only 12.4% alcohol proving high alcohol is not necessary for a complex and satisfying wine. @twoshepherdswine . . . #syrah #mourvedre #russianrivervalley #contracosta #lowinterventionwine #naturalwine #naturalyeastfermentation #winefun #deliciouswine #mondaymotivation #winegeek #vino #redwineblend #redwinelover #redwine #drinklocal #drinkcaliforniawine #californiawine

I’ve been craving greens. Turns out Green Shakshuka with feta cheese satisfied that craving perfectly. Also perfect, the last glass of glass of 2017 Domaine Jean Dauvissat Pere et Fils Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons. I’m in heaven. I hope you’re sipping something delicious! . . . #chablis #chablispremiercru #chablispremiercruvaillons #chardonnay #chablislover #chardonnaylover #chabliswine #purechablis #wineanddine #foodandwine #winelife #winewinewine #frenchwine #vino #wineoftheday #bourgogne #winelife #winegeek #winetraveler #winefun #shakshuka

Food and wine for a dark and stormy night. Brandade de Morue and a glass of 2017 Domaine Jean Dauvissat Pere et Fils Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons tasted mighty comforting. I’m not looking forward to the weather for the next 24 hours. Wish us luck. . . . #chablis #chablispremiercru #chablispremiercruvaillons #chardonnay #chablislover #chardonnaylover #chabliswine #purechablis #wineanddine #foodandwine #winelife #winewinewine #frenchwine #vino #wineoftheday #bourgogne #winelife #winegeek #winetraveler #winefun

Happy New Year in the afternoon! 🍾We have been without power for nearly 24 hours so our NYE plans last night were foiled. Not to worry, we are enjoying Tsar Nicoulai Estate caviar and 2014 Champagne Paul Bara Brut Grand Cru “Special Club” for lunch today instead of last night. No fancy clothes this year, just layering up to keep warm and feeling fortunate - all things considered. Wishing you the best in 2023 and I hope you’re sipping something delicious! 🥂@therealtsarnicoulai @champagne_paul_bara . . . #champagne #champagnelife #bouzy #grandcru #pinotnoir #growerchampagne #hve #vdc #champagnelover #caviar #sustainablecaviar #californiacaviar #champagneandcaviar #eatlocal #nye #newyear2023 #happyholidays #winelife #instawine #instachampagne #winewinewine

Is top nine still a thing? Haven’t seen many this year. I always enjoy a look back at my top posts because it’s a fun reminder of the delicious wines I’ve tasted throughout the year. I didn’t post as often this year as I have in the past, but I have thoroughly enjoyed making friends on Instagram. Thanks for all the fun interactions over a glass of wine! Here’s what was in my glass: 1. Champagne Paul Barra NV Grand Rosé Brut, Bouzy 2. 2017 Two Shepherds Mouton Gris, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County 3. Arnot-Roberts Ribolla Gialla Vare Vineyard, Napa Valley 4. 2018 Sokol Blosser Estate Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills,Oregon 5. We started Thanksgiving Day in the vineyard at Pelletiere Estate Vineyard & Winery, Paso Robles, CA before enjoying the day with family and wine: Under the Wire NV Heron Lake Vineyard Sparkling Wine, 2019 Flowers Seaview Ridge Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, 2013 Silver Mountain Vineyards Pinot Noir, Miller Hill Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains, 2017 Hawk and Horse Petite Sirah, Red Hills Lake County and finally, 1990 Château Rayne Vigneau Sauternes. 6. Cava, Cava, Cava, Cava, Cava,Cava 7. Port, Port,Port 8. Gruet NV Sauvage Sparkling Wine, New Mexico 9. 2021 Leleshwa Sauvignon Blanc, Kenya. Grown and made in Kenya! . . . #topnine2022 #winefriends #instafriends #instawine #wineandtravel #travelingwineglass #winetime #winefun #winewinewine #winelife #winetraveler #winenotes #champagne #champagnelife #moutongris #trousseau #pinotgris #ribollagialla #pinotnoir #pinotnoirlover #pasorobles #pasorobleswinecountry #cava #sparklingwine #kenyanwine #Kenya

Nothing fancy for Christmas dinner (except the wine 🍷) this year, but it was very satisfying. And leftovers tonight were just as delicious. Let’s start with the wine: 2019 Hanzell Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County. What a gorgeous, fresh, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark fruit with notes of tobacco leaf are supported by drying tannins. Just as delicious tonight as on Christmas Day. Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot are part of the blend. Vineyards are CCOF certified organic and biodynamic and integrated farming principles are employed as well. If you haven’t visited the vineyards and winery for a tasting, you absolutely should in 2023. It’s a beautiful setting on the southern part of the Mayacamas Mountains with a long history. Pork chops braised in onions, tomatoes and mushrooms were rich and tender. Carrots glazed with butter, brown sugar and grated nutmeg are always a favorite. New to the table were German Potato Balls: potato dumplings boiled and then sautéed in butter until brown. What’s not to love about these little pillows of goodness. I will work on the proportion of Yukon gold-to-Russet potato ratio to make them a little lighter next time, but they really are pretty tasty. I hope you’re sipping something delicious! @hanzellfarm . . . #hanzellfarm #ccof #organicvineyard #organicviticulture #biodynamicviticulture #biodynamic #sonomavalley #sonomawinetasting #sonomawine #sonomacabernet #holidaywine #foodandwine #wineanddine #instawine #instaphoto #winelife #winewinewine #happyholidays #winegeek #wine #winelover #winetime

Our Christmas Eve celebration included smoked salmon dip, holiday roasted nuts and our first taste of Gruet NV Sauvage, a zero-dosage sparkling wine made in New Mexico using the traditional method. Sauvage is surprisingly fruit forward with generous aromas and flavors of ripe pears and yellow apples with generous, soft bubbles and good acidity. It’s easy sipping and paired very well with the creamy, smoky flavors of the salmon dip. Thanks to my gal pal for the introduction to Sauvage! 🥂 We wish you a Merry Christmas, happy holidays and happy sipping! @gruetwinery . . . #gruet #sauvage #zerodosage #sparklingwine #holidayspirit #holidaywine #foodandwine #merrychristmas #happyholidays #happysipping #youcansipwithus #winefriends #winetime #winelife #winepic #instawine #wineoftheday #holidaycheer