Women in Wine Friday's is back and this week's focus is on Ntsiki Biyela, one of my favorite wine makers, a gem of a lady from South African winery Stellekaya. I have written extensively about Ntsiki in the past but today wanted to highlight what she though of working in the Maremma area of Tuscany... Continue Reading →
Italian Regions: Tuscany – Morellino di Scansano DOCG
As most of you know, I represent the Morellino di Scansano consortium in the US and thus can't write about the wines but I can direct you to the Consorzio's webite, Facebook page and to a new video about the events held in New York in October. What I can also do, is send you... Continue Reading →
Some months ago I had the good fortune of working with German Lyon, the winemaker of Vina Perez Cruz on a tasting that he held in New York City at Puro Chile. Lyon was very personable and relaxing to be around. At the tasting we tried a number of his wines, including his Cabernet Sauvignon... Continue Reading →
Wine of the Week: Stark Thirst Sonoma Chardonnay for #GivingTuesday
Today's wine of the week, Sonoma Chardonnay from Stark Thirst, has special meaning for me because it is a wine that has as part of its' mission giving back to an organization I believe in, WaterAid. WaterAid is an international development agency that works on providing access to clean water, safe and clean sanitation and... Continue Reading →
Italian Indigenous Varieties: Canaiolo Nero
Avvinare has had a bit of a vacation as well as an enforced period of sick leave because of the flu but it's back and hopefully on track for December and 2013. This has been our worst month of traffic in about two years, proof that if you write, people will read it, providing you... Continue Reading →
Once Upon A Time – The Mezzadria’s Influence on the Tuscan Countryside
C'era una volta (once upon a time) is a phrase that reminds me of stories from childhood certainly but also of how people lived at a certain period of time. I am in Italy for work and have had the pleasure to spend the day with a number of producers of the Colli Aretini, part... Continue Reading →
Wine of the Week: The Seeker Malbec from Argentina
This week's pick for my wine of the week is a Malbec from Argentina from a "global wine brand" called the Seeker. The wines are distributed by Kobrand and they have very extensive information about the wine on their site. What can I add to this description of the wine? A perfect pairing for it... Continue Reading →
NYC: Massive Problems But Huge Volunteer Effort Underway
I know this a wine blog but it's impossible not to be touched and write about what is going on in our communities. Many people in wine community are affected both personally and professionally - loss of power, water, property, business. Thankfully, I haven't heard of anyone who has been impacted in the most devastating... Continue Reading →
Thoughts & Prayers For My Home Towns
I haven't written on this blog in many days. Sandy has come and gone but left in her wake such destruction and despair that I can't but think of those who have lost their lives and homes. I grew up in New Jersey and my parents are among the millions who have lost power because... Continue Reading →