“I wasn’t quite paying attention to the brilliant, ruby red wine I was being poured. I took a sip… I was stopped in my tracks.” September 2022 at the wine media conference in Desenzano del Garda, Italy, we were being served lunch at the hotel. Typically a winery or group of wineries will sponsor the lunch and they are each …
I have served Lugana Wines at tastings in the United States to friends and clients. Every single time the tasters respond with surprise, delight and a “where can I get this”? I am in love with Lugana wines. They are beautiful white wines, pale straw yellow, with a delicate bouquet – a blend of floral, fresh fruit and almond notes. …
In search of an emerging wine region? Love good food, and exciting regions shaping the quality of fine wine, food and travel? Look no further than Oltrepo Pavese, Italy. Oltrepo Pavese is a region 45 minutes outside of Milan, sandwiched between Piedmont and Emilia Romagna. Both of those regions are known for specific wines throughout the world and for a …
Traveling to Italy to vinotrip has been one of my dreams. I expected to visit the more well-known regions of Piedmont or Tuscany for my first wine tasting trip to Italy, but Lombardy was calling. I had heard of Franciacorta for sparkling wines, Valtellina for it’s Nebbiolo and Oltrepo for its Pinot Noir, but I had no idea how absolutely …
My favorite annual wine conference is finally here! And this year it is in Northern Italy!!! There are over 350 different varietals in Italy over 20 growing areas Lake Garda is the home to many incredible wines Tuscany is NOT the only fine wine region in Italy Italian wine making is 4000 years old I will be tasting/sharing about many …
I don’t know about you, but my passion for wine has always been wrapped around travel and experience, the highlight of the back story, romance and glamour that is in a swirl of a wine glass. That beautiful sensual experience of sipping, learning, thinking, and ultimately, a little buzz, drew me to the experience of wine and to the promise …
People say that when you turn 50, you enter the “give a F*&* 50” phase. And so it has become for me, and no-where more prevalent than in my wine purchasing behavior. It’s an attitude of freedom, freedom to do whatever I want. And since social interactions have become so highly coveted post covid, I want my time to be …
There are many fun ways to use the VINO! card deck. Check out the versions detailed below. Solitaire: 1 player: Remove the Somm cards and bonus cards from the deck, leaving only the picture cards (119). Place the card deck face down. Take a bottle of wine, put it in a blind tasting bag and try not to look at the …
What does is a Sommelier and where can you find a great professional to hire? I see many posts from people looking to hire a Sommelier. It seems like a simple enough request, right? Well…. It’s not quite as easy as you would expect. It’s important to think through how you want your evening to go and what you want …
by Marla Kane Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda Classica 2019 from Mendoza, Argentina is made with organic grapes, no oak, and costs about $10 a bottle. That’s what I call a trifecta! Even better, the aroma of olives enticed me when I stole a sniff while it was decanting. Being olive-obsessed, I was drawn immediately. This bonarda is an inky dark plum color with a maroon …