Drink In The Spirit Of An Aurora Borealis This Summer
May 13, 2024
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Drink In The Spirit Of An Aurora Borealis This Summer
Join us as we explore the captivating world of wine, providing readers with an immersive experience that embraces the reasons why this drink is beloved by millions of men around the world. This includes detailed reviews of both new and established wine makers offering insights into their flavor profiles, aging potential, and best food pairings. I also share exclusive interviews with some of the most influential winemakers and vineyard owners, revealing the passion and techniques behind their prestigious labels. For the travel-savvy, this section includes curated travel ideas that guide you through the world's most renowned wine regions, from Sonoma, Central Coast California, or Michigan and some of the top international wine destinations around the world. Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or a casual wine drinker, this section is your gateway to enhancing your wine knowledge and planning your next wine-themed adventure.
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Drink In The Spirit Of An Aurora Borealis This Summer
If you were lucky like we were in North West Ohio, you may have gotten a pretty awesome lightshow this past weekend. It was truly an extraordinary experience that normally you might need to head north to Alaska or Finland to experience. For Heather and I though, we got to not only enjoy the lights... but sampled some fabulous wines from Oregon that were made in celebration of the Northern Lights. Borealis Vintners couldn't have picked a more perfect time since their Rose, Pinot Gris, and White Blend arrived just in time for us to chill them a bit and put it in our cooler to enjoy while relaxing outside enjoying the northern lights.
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What The Hell Is Cotton Candy Wine?
As a wine enthusiast keen to explore new expressions, I couldn't resist the intriguing fusion of carnival nostalgia that the concept of Cotton Candy Wine brings to the table. With my background and education in winemaking, I've had the delight of exploring unique vintages around the world and well... this is certainly a unique blend. But a question begs, is it crafted from actual cotton candy or is it merely a clever marketing ploy?
Surprisingly, I found that (like everything in winemaking), the answer is considerably more complicated than I initially assumed. The simple answer is that many different products are using the same name and while "Cotton Candy Wine" can be made quite literally from cotton candy floss found at the carnival food stands to the Shiava grapes in Italy to the hybrid table grapes found at your local supermarket - the simple truth remains. If something tasty can be distilled or fermented, people will find a way to do it. In situations like this where it makes people happy... they will do it again and again!
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Celebrating "Dry January" With A De-Alcoholized Wines Pairing From Fre and Gieson 0%
I'm not a big fan of the idea behind "dry January"... the notion of creating a "time out" implies that overconsumption instead of moderation is ok and while for some this might be the opportunity to put them on the right path again, I'd prefer that people approach the concept of bing drinking in othere more practical ways. Regardless though, this is a great time of year to take a look at non-alcohol wines and how the industry is evolving in terms of packaging, production quality, and technology that allows them to be a palatable alternative to alcoholic wines for folks who, for whatever reason choose not to imbibe.
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For Black Owned Red Bear Winery Diversity Brings New Influences To Classic Sonoma Wine
Alexander Valley AVA in Sonoma is one of my favorite regions for Cabernet Sauvignon. This is partially due to my inclination to rebel against the overwhelming snobbery of its big brother next door in Napa - but also due to the fact that for a fraction of the price, you can get phenomenal vintages from more unique, often boutique wineries where the winemakers are approachable and willing to talk about why they love what they do. While Napa has priced out all but the wealthiest winemaking families and is now essentially controlled by historic families, corporations, and celebrities - there's still a sense of innovation at work in Sonoma. This includes the story of father and son team, Wayne and Samuel Jordan who are building Red Bear Winery.
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Golan Heights Winery Is A Name You Should Be Familiar With Beyond Just Jewish Holy Days
Every Passover and Hanukkah it seems like different Kosher or Isralie wineries appear on our editorial schedule and each year I become more and more impressed with not just the realm of "Kosher Wines" but in the taste and quality of wines from Israel. Plus, if you are a wine conessour like myself where every sip is a way to travel virtually to a new land, a journey to try something new beyond just a tasty beverage - there are few places on Earth with as rich of a vinocultural heritage as the Golan Heights.
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A Beginners Guide To Understanding And Appreciating Port
If you’re a wine and spirits enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of whiskey, rum, tequila, and vodka, but how much do you know about port? This fortified wine from Porto in Portugal's Douro Valley has a long history and unique characteristics, making it a must-try for any spirit connoisseur.
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This Year Let's Celebrate With Bubbles From Around The World
To the uninitiated American, there are two places to go to when it comes to grabbing a bottle of sparkling wine for that holiday party... California and Champagne, France. While those are two of our favorite places too, we live in a world today where there are some fantastic bubbly wines found across the globe. Let's take a look at a few of our new favorites.
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Marcus Notaro of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Shares Tips On Aging Wine
One of the most misunderstood aspects of enjoying fine wines is the concept of aging. To an extent, we all know that most wines need to be aged a certain amount of time before they are ready to drink - but beyond this, it almost seems to be the realm of magic and folklore. To help us all better understand the concept of cellaring wine, we had a chance to chat with Marcus Notaro, Head Winemaker of the legendary Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.
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Gancia Holiday Morning Spritz Cocktail is Perfect For Sunday Brunch
Are you looking for something beyond your classic mimosa to enjoy during Sunday brunch? Italian Prosecco producer Gancia sends over this delicious-sounding idea for a holiday morning spritz to enjoy this season!
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Forget Sideways, Let's Learn How To Appreciate Merlot Again
Merlot has gotten a bad name in recent years and much of that stems from the famous line in the movie, Sideways, "If anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving". Miles from the movie quite literally changed the popularity of this varietal of wine for millions of American wine drinkers - and indeed created a world-wide impact as well. Merlot isn't that bad but its reputation still suffers in the face of popular red wine alternatives including Cabernet Sauvignon and of course, Pinot Noir. Let's take a deeper look at merlot and how you can better appreciate it once you get an opportunity to sample it at your favorite winery or wine bar.
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Loveblock Introduces A New Perspective On New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
I'm a big fan of Sauvignon Blanc, the crisp often lime notes that are associated with it - especially those from Marlborough region in New Zealand are my go-to drink on hot summer days. I'm also a big fan of innovation and I so I'm very impressed with what the folks at Loveblock vineyard created in the process of creating a truly "organic wine".
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Bota Box Is The Perfect Partner For Your Summer Party Plans
A couple weeks ago I had the fortune of receiving a huge box of samples from Bota Box. The very generous folks there were determined to show me that boxed wine didn't have to be terrible. They were right but what blew me away was their latest creation, Bota 'Rita - a wine based margarita that comes in their signature bag-in-box packaging.
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How Long Can You Store Wine?
How long can you store wine? That is a question that many people have, and it is not an easy one to answer. The truth is, the length of time that wine will last depends on a variety of factors including the type of wine, how it is stored, the quality of the wine, and even the climate where you live. In this blog post, we will take a look at different types of wines and how long they are likely to last under different conditions.
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Exploring Wines Of Campania Italy With Feudi di San Gregorio
It is unfortunate that many wine drinkers don't have an opportunity to explore beyond the typical varietals that you see commonly on wine lists and American tasting rooms. Personally, that's a challenge for myself as well even though I absolutely love trying new things and exploring different perspectives on wine varietals from around the world. That's why I was excited to try three wines sent to me by Feudi di San Gregorio that showcase their white white portfolio.
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Can't Decide If You Want A Canned Wine Or Seltzer? Jetway Offers Both
Have you ever sat there looking at the cooler during a backyard BBQ and thought, "darn it... I wish there was a hard seltzer made from wine instead?" No, me neither and frankly as a GenX guy this whole re-discovery of wine coolers makes me smile. Luckily, this creation - Jetway produced by Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes is actually pretty tasty. I just wish it said wine cooler instead of chasing the seltzer market.
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Wineries Near Charlottesville Virginia Blend Wine History With Modern Innovation
One of the East Coast's top wine tasting destinations is nestled in the piedmont area of central Virginia. Here you will find a fantastic blend of rich history, music, restaurants, and wineries surrounding Charlottesville, VA. What most people don't realize is that this region - known to oenophiles as the Monticello AVA - is perhaps one of the most historically significant wine regions anywhere in North America. This makes a visit to Charlottesville, Virginia the perfect place to explore how old world wines and winemaking tradition have blended with new world innovation to produce very high-quality wine on local farms in this fantastic part of Virginia Wine Country.
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A Perfect Vintage Explores What Made 2013 Napa Valley A Perfect Year For Wine Growers
One of the more complex and misunderstood aspects of why certain wines are revered as works of art while others sit on a spectrum from very good to god awful is that no matter how talented the winemaker may be, Mother Nature is ultimately in control. While you can select locations for grape growing that will produce various subtle notes, you aren't always guaranteed to get the perfect product. In 2013, Napa Valley's conditions were as close to this as we've seen and this new production by Vision Films helps to tell that story.
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Sparkling Wine Cocktails From Mumm Napa
Sparkling wine as a category continues to impress me with far more than the standard "party Champagne" on offer today. For generations bubbly wine has been celebrated in various formats but we are truly in the midst of a renaissance with a wide variety of creations available as well as a resurgence in sparkling wine cocktails as well. Mumm Napa sent over some bottles for us as well as these recipes to share. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as we did !
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Casillero Del Diablo Introduces Global Brand Ambassador Pedro Pascal
For wine drinkers used to seeing prices of $50+ for a good bottle of Cabernet Sauvingon, from California or Washington State, seeing sub $20 bottles from Chile can be a bit of a headscratcher but when you bring in an ambassador like Pedro Pascal - Mandalorian, Wonder Woman 1984, Narcos, and Game Of Thrones to be your brand ambassador it's worth taking a look!
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Koningsdam's Coastal California Cruise Is The Ultimate Experience For Wine Lovers
When you think of "wine cruises", typically you think of riverboats floating through European destinations like those along the Rhine, Rhone, and Garonne (Bordeaux) or maybe even Portugal's Doro river. However, one of the absolute best ways to experience North America's best wine regions is on a Coastal California cruise. What we liked about sailing on Holland America Line's Koningsdam was that it created an immersive experience - on the ship, as well as in port as well.
